Section 1010.456  Sample License Plates For Motion Picture and Television Studios

a)         For purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

            "Division" – Plate Control Division within the Vehicle Services Department of the Office of the Secretary of State.

            "'Live' License Plate" – a license plate which has been made and is being used by an Illinois motorist or could be used because it is contained in the Division's inventory.

            "Plate Owner" – person who was assigned the license plate number by the Department for purposes of registration.

            "Sample License Plates" – license plates issued pursuant to Section 3-619 of the Illinois Vehicle Title & Registration Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 95½, par. 3-619).

b)         Any motion picture or television studio (film company) that wishes to use Illinois license plates as props shall send their request in writing on the film company's letterhead to the Division of the Department.

c)         Before the plates to be used as props may be mailed to the film company, a signed usage agreement shall be submitted to the Division.  The following agreements shall be specified in the usage agreement:

1)         the applicant shall submit the proper fee specified in Section 3-619 of the Illinois Vehicle Title & Registration Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code;

2)         the applicant shall only use the license plates on the public streets and highways of Illinois during filming unless arrangements have been made with the proper law enforcement agency to travel to a different filming location; and

3)         the purported license plates shall not be considered actual license plates under the Illinois Vehicle Title & Registration Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 95½, pars. 3-100 et seq.) and are for artistic purposes only.

d)         A film company requesting license plates with fictitious numbers may manufacture the license plates themselves after they receive approval from the Division.  If the film company requests that the plates be manufactured through the Division; the requesting film company shall furnish a sample and/or picture of the desired plate if the Division's file does not contain information on the specific plate.

e)         A request can be made for "live" license plates.  If the written request for a "live" license plate is for a plate number issued to an Illinois motorist, the Division shall obtain approval for the use of the plate number from the plate owner.  Once approval is obtained from the plate owner, a letter is sent to the owner confirming his/her approval. The letter shall inform the plate owner the plates will not be used on public streets and highways as a regular registered vehicle but only as props for filming purposes.  Also his/her right of reassignment is protected as provided in Section 3-421 of the Illinois Vehicle Title & Registration Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 95½, par. 3-421).

f)         A request can also be made for sample vanity and personalized plates.  These plates are considered "live" plates and can be new purchases or duplicates of issued plates.  If the film company wishes to use a vanity/personalized plate already issued to a motorist, the same procedure outlined in subsection e shall be followed.  If the film company wishes to drive a vehicle displaying vanity/personalized plates on public streets or highways for purposes other than the making of a film, the vehicle shall be titled and registered in Illinois pursuant to Section 3-402(A) of the Illinois Vehicle Title & Registration Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 95½, par. 3-402(A)).

(Source:  Added at 13 Ill. Reg. 5173, effective April 1, 1989)