In Illinois, anything that is either towed or driven must be both titled and registered with the Secretary of State's Vehicles Services Department―just like a passenger car, except with different fees. This includes the following types of motor homes and recreational vehicles:

• Pop-up campers

• Any camper that is pulled behind a vehicle

• RVs

• Recreational trailers (RTs)

• Fifth wheels

• Trailers of all kinds and sizes

A camper that is neither towed nor driven itself doesn't need to be titled or registered. This includes sllide-in campers or pop-ups that are affixed to the vehicle.

Mobile homes and trailers intended as residences must be titled, but they generally do not need to be registered. After all, if it's sitting on the ground and not going anywhere, it doesn't need license plates.

Except for the registration fee, RV registration and titling follows the same basic steps as registering a car, truck, or other vehicle.

License Plates and Fees

RVs and motor homes have different license plates and registration fees from passenger cars and small trucks. The fees go up based on the weight of the vehicle.

Certain guidelines apply to what the Vehicle Services Department considers an RV or motor home for licensing purposes. Recreational trailers have their own license plates, as well.

RV and RT license plates may be personalized. A very few specialty license plates, such as for veterans of the Korean War, are also available for use on RVs, RTs, and motor homes.

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