Chicago parking ticket · 625 ILCS 5/3-413 / MCC 9-76-160
Expired Platesticket in Chicago: cost & how to fight it
An expired plates ticket is issued when a vehicle’s license-plate registration (tags) has expired.
How to fight a expired plates ticket
A registration renewal receipt or temporary registration valid on the ticket date is the standard defense — and this is one of the most-often-dismissed parking tickets in the city.
You can contest any Chicago parking ticket in one of three ways: by mail, online through the City's portal, or in person at an administrative hearing. Contesting by mail is how Autopilot does it — and across the City's own 2023–2025 hearing data, mailed expired plates contests were dismissed 87% of the time.
Let Autopilot fight it for you
Autopilot watches your plate, catches a expired plates ticket within days of it posting, builds the appeal with the right evidence attached, and mails it — before the fine has a chance to double. It also alerts you before street cleaning, snow bans, and permit/meter enforcement on your block so the next one never happens.
Get started →Expired Plates ticket FAQ
How much is an expired plates ticket in Chicago?
A expired plates ticket under 625 ILCS 5/3-413 / MCC 9-76-160 is $60. If it isn't paid or contested in time, the fine doubles to $120 — a $60 late penalty.
Can you fight an expired plates ticket in Chicago?
Yes. You can contest it by mail or online. A registration renewal receipt or temporary registration valid on the ticket date is the standard defense — and this is one of the most-often-dismissed parking tickets in the city. Across mailed, decided cases from 2023–2025, 87% of expired plates contests were found Not Liable (51,667 decided cases).
What happens if I ignore an expired plates ticket?
The $60 fine doubles to $120. Unpaid tickets can lead to license-plate holds and, after enough debt, a vehicle boot.
Other Chicago ticket types
Fines from the City of Chicago fine schedule (625 ILCS 5/3-413 / MCC 9-76-160). Dismissal rate is mail-only, decided cases (Not Liable ÷ decided), tickets issued 2023–2025, from Department of Finance / DOAH records obtained by FOIA. Not legal advice.