(a) A dealer who has sold a vehicle of a type otherwise required to be registered under this Act to a nonresident of this State who does not have currently valid registration in his home state, may provide for the operation of such vehicle without registration from the place of sale to the place of destination outside of the State of Illinois, by issuing a drive-away permit in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of State and by affixing the permit to such vehicle in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of State. Any vehicle being operated pursuant to a drive-away permit may not be used for any other purpose and such permits shall be effective only for a period of 30 days from the date of sale.
     (b) Any dealer may make application to the Secretary of State upon the appropriate form for drive-away permits for motor vehicles sold by such dealer. Along with such application each applicant shall submit proof of his status as a bona fide dealer and any other information as may be required by the Secretary of State. A non-resident who has purchased a motor vehicle from a person who is not a dealer, may likewise apply to the Secretary of State for a drive-away permit for display upon such vehicle while being driven from Illinois to the State of residence of the applicant. Along with such application, the applicant shall submit proof of his non-residence and eligibility for a reciprocal exemption from registration in Illinois.
     All drive-away permits issued under such application shall bear a distinguishing number and such other features as may be required by the Secretary of State.