# City Sticker question (Chicago Residents) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 13, 2017, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-sticker-question-chicago-residents/801516 "2017-11-13T05:16:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-sticker-question-chicago-residents/801516/1 "2017-11-13T05:16:58Z")
I’ve never been in this situation before. I am getting a car title transferred to me. It is due for an emissions test and a renewed sticker. If the person already gets the emissions test and sticker, then transfers the title to me, do I have to go and do it again? (purchase sticker, emissions test etc…) From what I understand, the title and transfer keeps the same plates on the car, and just registers it to a new owner. So would the emissions test and renewed sticker still be valid? Sorry, a little confused, been through this somewhat before but completely checked out and didn’t pay attention at all. The Secretary of State website is of no help, much like their facilities. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-sticker-question-chicago-residents/801516/2 "2017-11-13T05:47:40Z")
Just to clarify: You need two stickers. One sticker on your rear license plate that is issued by the Illinois Secretary of State. And you need a second sticker on your front windshield (passenger side) that is [issued by the Chicago City Clerk.](http://www.chicityclerk.com/city-stickers-parking/about-city-stickers) The Secretary of State cannot help you with the city sticker. The city does not care about your vehicle emissions test. They will be happy to sell you a new city sticker whether or not you have passed the test. Yes, you must get a new city sticker. If you leave the previous owner’s sticker on, it’s unlikely (but not impossible) that you will get ticketed, but when the old owner’s sticker expires and you try to get a new one, they’ll make you pay for the old one and charge a substantial late fee. To get a new sticker without paying a late fee, you have to present evidence that you acquired the car in the last 30 days. If you have an old car that you are getting rid of, you can transfer the city sticker from the old car to the new car. Just peel it off the windshield and bring the pieces to the City Clerk’s office (downtown or one of their neighborhood offices) and they will charge you $5. See the [FAQs.](http://www.chicityclerk.com/city-stickers-parking/about-city-stickers) If the Secretary of State gives transfers the car to you without requiring an emissions test, don’t worry about it until the next renewal of the STATE sticker. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-sticker-question-chicago-residents/801516/3 "2017-11-13T05:59:01Z")
Still confused here. I appreciate the reply, I get that there are two stickers, one from state, one from city. I am just confused, since both the city sticker and plate sticker have the license plate number, and the vehicle title and registration are transferred to me, wouldn’t they be valid since they were just purchased (by the person giving the car to me)? I keep reading that in a title transfer and registering the car to me, the plates can stay the same. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-sticker-question-chicago-residents/801516/4 "2017-11-13T06:19:35Z")
If you would click on the link I gave you, you could read the following: > [@](#): > > City Stickers are NOT transferable between individuals or companies. If the City Sticker displayed on your vehicle was purchased by the previous owner, or the City Sticker displays your old vehicle information, you are subject to fines for not complying with the Chicago Wheel Tax. You cannot use the previous owner’s city sticker. Period. The previous owner can peel the sticker off and transfer it to their new car, if they are getting one. I am not sure where you are getting the information that you can keep the previous owner’s plates. You can transfer plates from your old car to a new car that has the same owner. But as far as I know you cannot transfer plates between owners. [Transferring Plates](http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/title_and_registration/transferring.html) > [@](#): > > When You Cannot Transfer > … > In Illinois, license plates belong to an owner, not the vehicle. Therefore, you cannot transfer ownership of license plates when you sell a car or transfer a title. You can only transfer license plates to another vehicle you own. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-sticker-question-chicago-residents/801516/5 "2017-11-13T10:13:42Z")
Got it! Apologies, had a lot on my mind a few hours ago. Perhaps I worded it wrong but nonetheless your reply gave me the answers I was looking for. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-sticker-question-chicago-residents/801516/6 "2017-11-13T21:30:23Z")
When you transfer the title you are also going to have to pay sales tax on the vehicle based on its value. As far as the city sticker, if you are over 65 years of age you can get a senior discount. IIRC the price is about $25 ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-sticker-question-chicago-residents/801516/7 "2017-11-13T23:05:17Z")
By the way, in case OP is tempted to innocently and totally by accident forget to buy a new sticker while continuing to use the previous owner’s, the license plate is printed on the sticker (along with the vehicle make & model). It is probably unlikey to get noticed but worth pointing out.