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Staying on top of everything you need to drive safely and legally already takes time and effort. Which is why the last thing any driver wants to deal with is a stolen license plate.

It may not be as significant a problem as a stolen vehicle, but license plates get nicked, as well. In fact, the Chicago Police Department recently cautioned local drivers about a spate of incidents of stolen plates that had occurred in communities throughout the city so that people can be aware of the problem and take quick and appropriate action.

There are several key things to know that help ensure your plates are right where you need them.

More License Plates Have Been Stolen in Towns Throughout Illinois

As drivers, we’ve been taught to lock the doors and keep an eye out for risks to our vehicles. We take many steps to avoid everything from red light tickets to parking violations. But many people would be surprised to discover that they should also check their vehicle to be sure their license plates are both still securely attached to it.

There have been hundreds of reports of different types of license plate theft, including ones that are not attached to any vehicle. In total, this type of theft has doubled in just a short amount of time, and the numbers are on the rise in some cities in Illinois.

Be Careful Removing and Storing License Plates for Any Reason

One driver who removed his plates after selling his car faced an unexpected challenge. He began receiving tickets in the mail from the city of Chicago for fines he supposedly owed. Except for one thing: he wasn’t the driver. Now he faced stiff financial penalties due to actions taken by someone else.

As it turned out, the plates he removed had been stolen from his garage and were now on a different vehicle far away. Ten different violations added up to over $1,000, and the fines were being sent to his home since he was perceived as the registered owner from a legal standpoint.

Why Would Someone Steal Your License Plate?

Disputed tickets based on stolen license plates or stolen vehicles are not uncommon. A plate under someone else’s name is handy for someone who doesn’t have a license and wants to fly under the radar. That way these criminals can appear to be legitimate, since a plate is on their vehicle, but they don’t have to go through the process of registering it under their own name.

Fortunately, this type of fraud is easy to avoid as long as you properly handle your plates from your old vehicle – something that can be done quickly at any CFSC Auto Services location.

Do You Need License Plates to Drive Legally in Illinois?

Every driver in Illinois, as with most states, must be in possession of up-to-date license plates as well as a valid driver’s license. Plate stickers to replace the old ones can be purchased each year at CFSC Auto Services, as well.

So, What Should You Do If Your License Plate Is Stolen?

If one or both of your license plates are stolen, file a police report immediately in the town where you live. In addition, visit a CFSC Auto Services location near you to get your plates replaced as quickly as possible. You can stop by or phone in advance to ask about:

1. CFSC hours of operation
2. ID and other documentation you may need
3. Possible replacement fees
4. Anything else you want to know about replacing lost or stolen plates

Ask About Vehicle Title, Registration, License Plates & Stickers at CFSC Auto Services

To lower your chances of losing your plates, take actions to protect them. These may include:

• Inspecting them to be sure they’re well-secured
• Installing surveillance cameras in your vehicle
• Keeping an eye out for suspicious activity nearby

CFSC Auto Services throughout the Midwest are there for you if plates are lost or stolen. We will make sure your title and registration are handled properly and registered online. We also manage sticker renewals on the spot and license plate transfers when you sell your vehicle.

Visit any CFSC Auto Service location to access quick and convenient services for your car. Check us out online to find out what else we can take care of – all under one roof!

Used cars are a desirable commodity in this country. According to Autoweek, nearly 40 million used vehicles were sold in the U.S. last year alone. If you plan to sell your car, be sure to find out what steps you need to take so the process is entirely legal and the sale is recognized in your state.

If it’s your first time, there is a lot to learn. How to advertise, where to meet prospective buyers, and how much money to ask for are all questions that will come up along the way. Below is a review of some basic steps that will help you sell your vehicle successfully.

How to Make the Sale of a Vehicle Go Smoothly

The first thing you will want to do before selling a vehicle is to make sure all the relevant paperwork is in order. If anything is missing, it might take some time to track it down. Generally, the necessary documents will include:

• The vehicle title
• The bill of sale
• Proof of recent smog test (depending on the state or county)

Other documents, such as maintenance records or a “vehicle history report,” can boost the selling price as they let savvy shoppers know that the vehicle is in good condition. If the process is overwhelming or you’re short on time, a website like Carfax can handle the sale for you.

Research Your Car’s Fair Market Price & Other Sales Tips

Drivers can visit online resources to discover what the market value is of their vehicle and be sure they’re getting a fair price for it. Numerous other steps might help you get a better sales price, such as cleaning the vehicle inside and out, posting attractive photos of it online, making any necessary repairs, and answering questions that carshoppers have about the vehicle’s history.

Take These Steps When Selling a Used Vehicle in Illinois

To avoid unexpected issues after the fact, be sure to pay attention to detailed requirements in your local area. For example, in the state of Illinois, several specific steps should be followed carefully when selling a used vehicle:

1. Remove the license plates from the car you’re selling before the buyer picks it up.
2. Give the buyer the vehicle title at the time of delivery.
3. Be sure to sign and date the title once the sale is final. CFSC Auto Services can help ensure that the title officially gets transferred to the new owner and is registered with the Secretary of State’s office.
4. This process may involve completing and mailing a “Notice of Sale” form, which you can find either at the bottom of the title or at ilsos.gov.
5. Don’t forget to get the buyer’s name and address to avoid any registration issues after the sale.
6. Prepare a “bill of sale” for the buyer that reflects the date it was sold as well as the price that was paid for it.
7. Make a copy of the “bill of sale” to keep on file.
8. Last, thoroughly inspect the car one last time. You will want to remove your vehicle registration, insurance card, and any other personal property.

CFSC Auto Services Will Help Transfer Your License & Registration to New Owner

Once you’ve found a buyer, a couple key steps the seller takes are important. CFSC Auto Services can make sure you handle this stage of the sale properly so that all of the documentation is completed and submitted where it needs to go. Our team of pros helps people selling their car in a variety of ways:

1. Used car registration
2. Transferring license plates
3. Other basic vehicle needs

For more information on buying or selling a car, go to CFSC Auto Services online today!

For several decades now, emissions tests have been a familiar routine for most people who drive legally in the U.S. They are part of a larger effort to limit greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate pollution, and getting your vehicle’s emissions levels tested every year or two is a common requirement that helps keep dangerous emissions from gas-fueled cars as low as possible to protect the air quality around us.

Because it is not an annual requirement, it can be easy to overlook this pesky rule until it comes time to renew your plates. A failed test does not mean you can no longer operate your vehicle legally. However, it may mean you won’t be able to renew your plates until you make the necessary repairs.

When Do Emissions Tests Take Place?

If you are a registered driver in Illinois, you will receive a “Test Notice” in the mail about four months before your license plate is set to expire. Online resources such as this one provide a list of the nearest test locators, with information on where and when drivers can go to have the test done after being notified.

What Is an Emissions Test?

An emissions test is just what it sounds like – a test to ascertain whether harmful emissions are leaking from your vehicle to determine whether repairs should be made. The “On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) test,” as it is called, only takes a few minutes, and most drivers pass. According to the Illinois Air Team, “The OBD test consists of connecting a scan tool to a vehicle’s on-board computer to determine the OBD system status (readiness checks) and whether the Malfunction Indicator Lamp/Light (MIL) is commanded on (in which case it would be illuminated), and to retrieve any stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).”

In short, drivers leave with a report following the test that lets them know what the results are. Whether you pass or not, you are legally allowed to continue driving; nothing else is required at that moment.

Does Every Vehicle Need to Pass an Emissions Test?

The answer is no. Most cars do need to pass in Illinois, but certain types of vehicles are exempt. While you should certainly double check, below is a list of just some of the vehicles that typically do not need to pass a test:

• Electric vehicles (EVs)
• Certain older cars and custom vehicles
• Diesel trucks
• Motorcycles
• Equipment and other vehicles that don’t get registered

Failed Emissions Tests Help Drivers Know What to Fix

Some drivers dread the news that their car has failed an emissions test. But the good news is that it lets them know something is wrong with their vehicle that needs to be fixed. Your local mechanic can take a look at the report, as well as your car, and determine what repairs can be made to get your car’s emissions back down to acceptable levels.

Passing an Emissions Test is Required of Most Illinois Drivers – But It Varies State to State

Passing an emissions test is required in most but not all states. Keep in mind that emissions rules have changed over the years, along with the frequency tests are required and where testing stations are located. Some states, such as Kansas, don’t require the tests at all. If you think you’re supposed to test your vehicle but haven’t received a notice in the mail, contact your local government to find out what steps to take next. The last thing you want is to be penalized for not having up-to-date plates just because your notice got lost in the mail!

Renew Your Plates at CFSC Auto Services

Driving with expired plates does pose a possible financial risk. While most drivers must pay a fee to renew their plates each year, they can face additional risks for driving with expired plates on top of that original fee they owe. In other words, if you are a driver, it doesn’t pay to ignore your emissions test or your local plate requirements.

But dealing with lost, stolen or out-of-date plates can be a hassle. That’s why the team at CFSC Auto Services is here to help. We will renew your plates for you so you can be in and out and avoid all the headaches! All you have to do is come in with the proper ID and payment and we will handle the rest. Call us in advance to make sure you have the proper paperwork and pay amount before heading over.

Stop by your nearest CFSC location to pick up your plates or stickers and to make sure all your other auto-related paperwork is in order.

Rideshares provide a wonderfully convenient service for folks who don’t own cars, or do but choose not to drive. They can also be a handy source of income for great drivers who are also adept at getting others whenever they need to go.

However, whether you are a rideshare driver or you use one now and then, it’s vital to take safety precautions. Both drivers and riders are strangers, so they should do everything they can to ensure they are protecting themselves from any unfortunate occurrences.

What Safety Precautions Can Rideshare Drivers Take?

There are numerous precautions drivers of rideshares like Uber and Lyft can take to boost their safety when behind the wheel. At the top of the list:

1. Keep Doors Locked – Especially at Night

Locking your doors is one of the best ways to ensure the wrong person doesn’t enter your vehicle at any time of day. If you’re out at 2 in the morning, then you want to be particularly mindful of this small but helpful safety measure.

2. Confirm Your Passenger’s Identity

It is all too easy for someone to inadvertently hop into the wrong vehicle. To keep this from happening, drivers can simply lower their window halfway and ask for their name.

3. Stick to the Rules

Rideshare rules exist for a reason. Stick to such protocol as the maximum number of passengers you may allow at a time. Doing so enables each person to use a seatbelt. It will also help you drive more safely and avoid unnecessary confrontations with undesirable passengers.

4. Dismiss Unsafe Passengers

Even though you’ve agreed to a pick up, you don’t need to pick up someone visibly intoxicated or unsavory in other ways. You’re allowed to protect the inside of your vehicle along with your personal wellbeing.

What Safety Precautions Can Rideshare Passengers Take?

Similarly, it is of the utmost importance that rideshare passengers take their personal safety as seriously as possible. Here are a few rules of thumb to make that happen:

1. Confirm Your Driver’s Identity and Car Model

First and foremost, do not ever enter a vehicle that you haven’t confirmed is the one intended for you. Fortunately, rideshare apps make it easy to do so by providing the name and car model of the driver.

2. Use the Seatbelt

Just because you’re not in the driver’s seat doesn’t mean seatbelts don’t apply. Using one could save your life.

3. Carry Charged Cell Phone & Credit Card or Cash

Be sure you’re prepared to pay and make a call if necessary.

4. End the Ride if Necessary

Trust your gut! If something seems off, feel free to end the ride and request one with a new driver. You may also want to report any suspicious behavior to the company.

5. Consider Rideshare That Conducts Background Checks

Some newer options are popping up to help passengers feel more comfortable. This might involve selecting the gender of the driver or a company that conducts background checks. Do a bit of research to find the brand most suited to your needs.

CFSC Auto Services Help You Manage Important Car Tasks & Drive Legally

There may be moments when you need to create your own rules in a scenario involving a rideshare. For instance, some drivers may only feel comfortable driving a certain distance to pick up a passenger. The same type of idea applies to people searching for a lift.

One last thing. If you work for a rideshare company – or drive at all – it is imperative that you stay on top of routine tasks that enable you to operate a vehicle legally. Visit the nearest CFSC Auto Services to make sure these are up to date:

1. Vehicle Title & Registration
2. Stickers
3. Other Items

Check out CFSC Auto Services online to make sure you’re driving legally and safely!