Totally get the glove box shuffle—mine’s like a mini office at this point. I’ve had the cop glance at my phone and then still ask for the paper card, so I just keep both too. The “no grace period” thing is wild though. Like, my insurance is paid up, but if I forget to swap the card, boom, ticket. It’s like a weird game of paperwork roulette. At this point, swapping out the card is right up there with remembering to take out the trash… not glamorous, but keeps things running.
It’s like a weird game of paperwork roulette.
That’s the perfect way to put it. I swear, every time I go on a road trip, I have to do the “glove box audit” just to make sure I’m not carrying expired cards from three years ago. Once, I handed an officer my old insurance card and he just gave me that look—like, “Really?” I get why they want the paper, but you’d think in 2024, a digital copy would be enough. Guess it’s just one more thing to add to the pre-trip checklist, right up there with snacks and playlists.
Honestly, it baffles me that Illinois still leans so hard on paper cards. Digital proof is technically allowed now, but some officers still seem to prefer the old-school way. I always tell people—keep both handy, just in case. It’s not worth the hassle if you get pulled over and someone’s having a “by the book” day.
I’ve wondered about this too—like, what’s the point of digital proof if you still get side-eyed for using it? I had an officer last year who looked at my phone like it was some kind of magic trick. He literally said, “Paper’s easier.” I mean, is it though? My glove box is a black hole for old insurance cards and random napkins.
But yeah, I keep both just to avoid the awkward back-and-forth. Has anyone actually had an issue with only showing digital? I’m curious if there are any official guidelines for how officers are supposed to handle it, or if it’s just up to whoever pulls you over. It feels like one of those things where the law changed but the habits didn’t really catch up yet...
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I kinda see why some officers still prefer paper. Not everyone’s phone is reliable—dead battery, cracked screen, or even no signal if your insurance app needs it. I actually had my phone glitch out once when I needed my proof, and that was a whole hassle. Now I just keep a current paper copy tucked in with my registration. It’s not perfect, but at least if my phone’s dead, I’m covered. Digital is great in theory, but sometimes old-school just saves time and stress.
