- I-551 – Alien Registration Card
- I-766 – Employment Authorization Card
- I-94 – Arrival/Departure Record with Valid Passport
- Proof of date of birth:
- I-551 – Alien Registration Card
- I-571 – Refugee Travel Document
- I-766 – Employment Authorization Card
- I-797A – Notice of Action Status Change
- I-94 – Arrival/Departure Record with Valid Passport
- Proof of Social Security Number
The same document from the above-mentioned list can be used for more than one of the purposes above to obtain a new drivers license copy.
How do I replace my license if I lost it out of state?
In order to request an IL drivers license replacement from out of state, drivers may contact the Special License and Re-Examination Unit in Illinois by phone at 217-782-6901 to request a 90-day temporary drivers license. In order to be eligible, drivers must be out of state for no more than 90 days and must hold a valid driving license. The temporary license will be mailed to the drivers current address.
For stays out of the state that are longer than 90 days, drivers can get necessary forms for drivers license replacement via mail.
How does the DMV check my vision?
The vision screening test required to get a drivers licenseis conducted at any Secretary of State Facility . Drivers are required to show 20/40 vision acuity on the test in order to be issued a certificate which can serve as proof in support to your drivers license application.
How long will I have a suspended license for not taking a chemical test?
If you are stopped while driving in Illinois and oppose to take the chemical test, the law enforcement officer will issue an immediate driving license suspension for as long as:
- One year for first offense
- Three years for second or subsequent offenses
A driver who fails to submit to a blood test may later need to pay up to $500 for the medical costs incurred due to the blood test.
How soon can I renew my driver’s license?
In Illinois, dates for renewing drivers licensesin a timely manner depend on the type of driving license you hold and are as follows:
- Two or four-year licenses: May renew up to one year before expiry date.
- One-year licenses: May renew up to six months before expiration date.
If I file a police report, will my replacement fee be waived?
The Secretary of State in Illinois has an established practice of fee waivers for stolen drivers license as long as certain conditions are satisfied.
Drivers over 60, who have been subject to theft, can ask for a fee waiver without submitting evidence for the filed police report.
Citizens under the age of 60 can also get their drivers license replacement free of charge as long as they accompany the request with evidence of a filed police report.
Is there an age limit to renew your license?
Illinois has established some age restrictions to renew divers licenses that concern minors and senior citizens, which include:
- Drivers under 21 must renew drivers license on or before 21st birthday.
- Drivers aged between 21 and 80 must renew drivers license after four years.
- Drivers between 81 and 86 mustrenew drivers license after two years.
- Drivers 87 or older must renew drivers license each year.
What address will my replacement license be mailed to?
The drivers license copy will be mailed to the address you have provided to a nearby Secretary of State Facility.
It is recommended that you keep your address up-to-date and report any changes to driver’s facilities as soon as possible in order to avoid any discrepancies. The Secretary of State Facility will keep your address on your official driving record and will use it for any future correspondence.
What are requirements for seniors to renew a driving license?
Senior drivers in Illinois have limited driving license validity and need to reapply sooner than younger drivers and are required to retake the vision screening test. Seniors over 75 are also required to take the driving exam.
The licensing renewal system is calibrated into three age categories:
- From 21 to 80: Driving license is valid for four years and expires on driver’s birthday.
- From 81 through 86: Driving license is valid for two years.
- Over 87: Driving license is valid for one year.
Renewal fees are discounted for senior drivers who are applying for drivers license with drivers over 87 being fee-exempt.
What are some violations that may constitute in a suspended license?
A suspended driving license in Illinois may be the result of improper traffic behavior, which violates road rules, as well as other laws. Some of the most common activities that can break the law and lead to adrivers license suspension include:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Refusal to submit to a chemical test
- Driving without propercar insurance
- Driving with a suspended license or with no license
- Speeding
- Excessive moving violations
- Failure to appear at a court hearing
- Failure to provide child support
What are the consequences of driving with a suspended license?
Driving with a suspended drivers license in Illinois will put you through a graduated system of additional suspensions and fines:
- First conviction:
- Class A misdemeanor
- Imprisonment of 10 days or 30 days of community service
- Fines as high as $2,500
- Suspension for double the original period or additional revocation of one year
- Possible seizure or forfeiture of vehicle
- Second conviction:
- Class 4 felony
- Imprisonment of 30 days or 300 hours of community service
- Suspension for double the original period or additional revocation of one year
- Possible seizure or forfeiture of vehicle
- Third conviction:
- Class 4 felony
- Imprisonment of 30 days or 300 hours of community service
- Suspension for double the original period or additional revocation of one year
- Possible seizure or forfeiture of vehicle
- Fourth through ninth conviction:
- Class 4 felony
- Imprisonment of 180 days
- Suspension for double the original period or additional revocation of one year
- Possible seizure or forfeiture of vehicle
- 10th through 14th conviction:
- Class 3 felony
- No probation or conditional discharge
- Suspension for double the original period or additional revocation of one year
- Possible seizure or forfeiture of vehicle
- 15th or subsequent convictions:
- Class 2 felony
- No probation or conditional discharge
- Suspension for double the original period or additional revocation of one year
- Possible seizure or forfeiture of vehicle
If your license has been suspended because you have been convicted of three moving violations within the last twelve months, you can continue to drive with a Probationary License if you fulfill certain criteria, including:
- Owning a valid drivers license that is not expired.
- Being at least 21 years of age.
- Attending a Defensive Driving Course.
What are the fees for a duplicate drivers license?
Costs for the duplicate drivers license in Illinois vary according to the age and the status of the applicant. The reason behind the replacement is also considered.
When getting a copy of a driving license that has been mutilated, stolen or lost,the required fees fall under two categories including:
- $5 basic replacement fee for regular applicants
- No fee for:
- Members of the military and their spouses and children
- Persons over 60 with stolen drivers license
- Persons under 60 with stolen drivers license (must add police report)
What are the reinstatement fees I will have to pay for a suspended license?
Illinois will charge you with reinstatement fees, which will be proportionally distributed among various state authorities and funds. The fees depend on the actual suspension or revocation attribution of the suspended drivers license. Suspension reinstatement fees include:
- For first time offenders:
- $250 fee, $30 of which goes to an Alcohol Abuse Fund
- For repeated offenders:
- $500 fee, $60 of which goes to the Illinois Road Fund
- $190 to the Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Fund
- $250 to the General Revenue Fund
Revocation reinstatement fees include:
- $50 nonrefundable filing fee for the court hearing
- $500 license reinstatement fee
What are the suspensions eligible for a hardship license?
Drivers who have committed a DUI traffic offense in Illinois may be eligible to obtain a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) if they prove that hardship exists. Below are the eligible suspension conditions, which the driver must complete to get the RDP:
- Be over 16
- Appear at hearing
- Prove that hardship exists
- Provide proof of treatment
- Abstain from endangering public safety
- Have Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device installed
- Not have committed multiple DUI offenses under Statutory Summary Suspension
When the suspended driver successfully fulfills the above criteria, they may proceed with a request toreinstate suspended drivers licenses.
What do I need to do to get my driver’s license if I fail the driving test?
To make sure that you are well prepared to take the driving test you should digest the road and traffic rules knowledge from the Illinois Course Workbook issued by the Secretary of State.
If it happens that you fail, you are allowed to take the test two more times with a period of one yearfrom the date you pay the application fee. If you fail three times in a row or if you fail to retake the test within that year, you will need to reapply and pay new fees in order to retake the required exam.
What documents do I need to get my drivers license?
Depending of your status of residency in Illinois, there are differences in the set of documents you will need to submit in support to the drivers license application:
- Illinois residents who apply for drivers license need to present:
- Proof of identification
- Proof of written signature
- Proof of date of birth
- Proof of social security number
- Test certificates
- Old copies of drivers license or ID card
- Proof of 6-hour adult supervised drivers training
- Authorization for legal residence in the state
- Proof of one-year legal stay with six months remaining
What documents do I need to present to renew my drivers license?
Whenrenewing expired drivers licenses in Illinois, the documents that you need to submit in support to your application depend on the type of renewal you are using and whether you are renewing online, in person or out-of-state. Required documents and steps you need to take in order to apply for a drivers license renewal include:
- Carry renewal letter
- Present ID card
- Pass vision screening test, if renewing in person
- Take knowledge exam if you are over 75
- Pay appropriate fee:
- $5 for persons aged 18-20
- $30 for persons aged 21-68
- $5 for persons aged 69-80
- $2 for persons aged 81-86
- Free of charge for persons 87 and over
Drivers may apply for adrivers license renewal as early as one year before expiration date for two and four-year licenses, and as early as six months before expiration date for one-year licenses.
What documents will I need to present to replace my drivers license?
To get a duplicate drivers license in Illinois,drivers will need to collect and submit the relevant documents to the nearest Secretary of State Facility.
The documents required to apply for adrivers license replacement in Illinois are:
- Proof of written signature
- Proof of date of birth
- Proof of Social Security Number
- Proof of residency (two documents)
- $5 fee, unless exempt
- Old drivers license copy in case it was damaged
- Police report if you are under 60 and want to be fee-exempt
What languages is the written test available in?
The written test is only done in English. In order to successfully pass the exam, applicants are required to answer 80 percent of 35 random multiple-choice questions,correctly.
To check if there are any additional languages offered, visit DMV substations and ask for your language of choice. Questions can be given to the applicant in an audio format if needed.
What penalties will I face if I do not renew my expired drivers license?
The drivers license renewal system in Illinois does not state any specific administrative fees or penalties that come out of late renewals.
What should I do if I have not received my renewed license?
Renewed drivers licenses are usually issued immediately. If you have not received the renewed copy of your expired drivers license on time, you should get in touch with the nearest Illinois Secretary of State Facility and check for the reasons of the delay.
What tests will I need to take for my drivers license?
To get a drivers licensein order to drive legally in Illinois, you will need to successfully pass certain tests, including:
- Vision screening test
- Knowledge test
- Road skills test
Some of the tests need to be retaken depending on the age of the applicant, previous convictions or at renewals.
To look into the option of taking a road test waiver which is at times possible check with a nearby Secretary of State Facility.
What type of noncommercial license will I need?
Illinois drivers are required to follow the graduated driving license system. There are five types of driving licenses you can apply for depending on what phase of the GDL you are eligible for, including:
- Instruction permit for beginner drivers aged 15
- Initial license for drivers between 16 and 17
- Full license for drivers over 18
- Restricted local drivers license to be used in areas of 3,500 sqm or smaller
- Temporary visitor drivers license for non-U.S. citizens with temporary legal entry
When can I reinstate my license after it has been suspended?
Drivers can complete the suspended drivers license reinstatement only after the suspension period expires and after all other reinstatement requirements have been fulfilled. In Illinois, there are two types of suspensions:
- Statutory Summary Suspension
- Revocation (Statutory Summary Suspension included)
The reinstatement for each types of drivers license suspension will be valid only when it is entered on the driving record.
When will I need to renew my license?
Depending on your age, there are several time restrictions you must follow when renewing your drivers license which consist of:
- If you are under 21 the license will expire when you turn 21
- If you are between 21 and 80 the license is valid for four years
- If you are between 81 and 86 the license is valid for two years
- If you are over 87 you must renew the license each year
Out-of state renewals need to be completed within six months after you return home.
When will I receive a replacement license after applying?
Drivers applying for a drivers license replacement in Illinois will receive a drivers license copy from Secretary of State Facilities via mailin approximately 90 days.
Drivers must have the correct address information on their official driving record to avoid unnecessary delays.
Where can I check to see if my license is suspended?
In order to check if you have asuspended drivers license due to a traffic violation in Illinois, you may ask for details and request documents about the suspension directly from the:
Department of Driver Services
2701 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62723
Information about hearings related to drivers license suspension may be obtained at the:
Department of Administrative Hearings
South 2nd Street, Room 212
Howlett Building Springfield, IL 62756
Where can I find the DMV locations?
Please follow the link below for your nearest DMV location:
Where can I get a new drivers license?
Illinois drivers can obtain a new drivers license at a Secretary of State Facility by following these steps:
- Provide proof of ID
- Have your photo taken
- Surrender any other valid ID card, instruction permit or CDL license
- Pass required tests
- Pay $30 fee for persons over 21 or $5 for persons between 18 and 20 years old
Will I be required to take a vision test for a drivers license renewal?
A vision screening test in Illinois is mandatory for all applicants who apply torenew expired divers licenses in person at a Secretary of State Facility.
If you are eligible to use the online system as a Safe Driver with a good driving record, you may be exempt from the vision test.
Will I get a drivers license renewal notice in the mail?
In Illinois, drivers renewing drivers licenseswill be sent an official reminder letter by the Secretary of State approximately 60 to 90 days prior to the expiry date via mail.
Sending drivers license renewal notices is the regular practice, yet it is not a guarantee. Therefore, if you do not receive a renewal notice, you are still held responsiblefor renewing your drivers license on time.
