Driver's License/Commercial Driver's License/State ID Card Driver Services

Driver's License Application

To obtain an Illinois Driver's License you must:

• Visit a Secretary of State facility, show required identification documents and have your photo taken.
• Surrender all valid out-of-state licenses, state ID cards, instruction permits and commercial driver's licenses.
• Pay the appropriate fee.
• Pass the appropriate exams (vision screening, written and/or driving).
• When all necessary requirements are completed, a temporary, secure paper driver's license, valid for 90 days, will be issued to serve as the DL/state ID for driving purposes and proof of identification until the permanent DL/state ID arrives in the mail within 15 business days.
• For Drivers under the age of 21, please see the Graduated Driver's License page.

If you wish to apply for a REAL ID ID Driver's License, visit REALID.ilsos.gov for more information.

Temporary Driver's License/Commercial Driver's License/State ID Card/Commercial Learner's Permit

Beginning in July 2016, you will no longer be issued a new permanent driver's license, commercial driver's license (CDL), state identification card or Commercial Learner's permit (CLP) at the end of the application process for any card type: original (initial or renewal), duplicate, or corrected. Instead you will leave the facility with a temporary secure paper document called a Temporary Driver's License (DL/CDL), Temporary State Identification (ID) Card or Temporary CLP. This document will:

• be valid for 90 days
• serve as your driver's license/learner's permit for driving purposes if application for Temporary DL or Temporary CLP
• serve as proof of identification for Temporary DL/CDL or Temporary State ID
• contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the permanent DL/CDL, State ID or CLP
• can be duplicated at a Secretary of State facility for the appropriate fee, if lost or stolen.

You will only be permitted to hold one (1) of these types of temporary credentials (DL/CDL, State ID or CLP) at a time. You may apply for an additional temporary credential for a different type, after you have received your permanent document for the first item.

For purpose of air travel, the facility employee will return your old driver's license card to you. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states they will accept the temporary driver's license document in conjunction with the expired driver's license to board an aircraft until you receive the permanent card in the mail. After the necessary identification checks have been conducted to ensure your identity, a secure hard card permanent DL/CDL, state ID card or CLP will be printed and sent via U.S. mail within 15 business days to your address on file. It is imperative that you ensure the address provided at the facility is correct.

If you lose your temporary DL/CDL, state ID or CLP credential, you may obtain a duplicate temporary credential for the same item for the appropriate fee.

If you do not receive your new permanent DL/CDL, state ID card or CLP after 15 business days of obtaining your temporary credential, you may check the DL/State ID/CLP Card Status or you may call 217-782-7044.

Driver's License/Commercial Driver's License Renewal

The Secretary of State's office mails a renewal letter to driver's license holders 60 to 90 days prior to the expiration of your license. The letter is mailed to the address our office has on file for the driving record. The letter contains the information needed to renew your license. Testing requirements and fees vary depending on the type of license being renewed.

Applicants will leave the facility with a temporary, secure paper driver's license or State ID, which is valid for 90 days and will serve as their DL/state ID for driving purposes and proof of identification. The temporary, secure paper driver's license will contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the permanent driver's license or State ID. In addition, the facility employee will return the old DL/State ID back to the applicant.

For purposes of air travel, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that it will accept the temporary, secure paper driver's license or State ID in conjunction with the old DL/state ID to board an aircraft until the permanent card arrives in the mail. Meanwhile, the applicant's information will be sent to a centralized, secure facility in Illinois. After fraud checks have been conducted to ensure the applicant's identity, a higher quality, more secure DL/state ID will be printed and sent via U.S. mail within 15 business days to the applicant's address.

It is imperative that applicants ensure their address is updated with the Secretary of State's office in order to receive the permanent driver's license or state ID. By law, address changes must be reported within 10 days. Illinoisans can update their address online. If an applicant does not receive their new permanent driver's license or state ID after 15 business days of visiting a facility, they can check the status online or call 217-782-7044.

• If you are required to take a drive exam, you must present proof of liability insurance on your vehicle.
• Acceptable identification is required.
• If your renewal letter says you are a Safe Driver, you have additional renewal options, including online renewal.
• By law, you must notify the Secretary of State's office of an address or name change within 10 days. You may submit an address change form electronically, but you must still visit a Secretary of State facility prior to expiration of your license. For a name change, you must provide identification with your new name and identification that links the old and new names. Drivers who hold a valid CDL must notify the Secretary of State's office of an address or name change within 10 days and must obtain a corrected driver's license within 30 days.
• For Commercial Driver's License renewal only, if you have not provided your Proof of Legal Presence, since July 2015, you must provide this documentation to renew your CDL. For more information, please see the Commercial Driver's License section.
• Drivers under age 21 — licenses expire three months after their 21st birthday; drivers age 21 through 80 — licenses are valid for four years and expire on a driver's birthday; drivers age 81 through 86 — licenses are valid for two years; drivers age 87 and older must renew their licenses each year.
• Vision screening is required for all drivers renewing at a facility.
• All persons age 75 and older must take a driving exam.
• Everyone must take a written exam every eight years except those having no traffic convictions. If you have an accident recorded on your driving record, you may be required to take the written and/or road exams.
• You may renew up to one year before your four-year or two-year license expires, or six months before a one-year license expires.
• Illinois driver's licenses contain several security features.
• Once all necessary requirements are completed for the license to be renewed, a temporary driver's license will be issued on secure paper and a permanent driver's license will be mailed within 15 business days.

Military Duty

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty outside Illinois, as well as their spouses and children, may drive with an expired license for up to 120 days after their return to the state. A Military Deferral Certificate(s) must be carried with your expired Illinois driver's license. Certificates are available at no charge and may be mailed to your out-of-state address. To request a Military Deferral Certificate, mail a copy of your current Illinois driver's license, a copy of the front and back of your Military ID Card and your out-of-state address to:
Secretary of State
License and Medical Review Unit
2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy.
Springfield, IL 62723.

Or you can email militarydeferral@ilsos.net

For more information, please call 217-782-2720.

Out-of-State Driver's License Renewal

Illinois residents who are temporarily outside the State of Illinois (Military assignment, snowbird, college student, work assignment, emergency family responsibility, etc.) may be eligible to apply for a renewal of their driver's license while they are out-of-state. The applicant will be required to successfully complete any required exams (vision, written, drive), provide acceptable documentation and pay the appropriate renewal fee. For more information about this process , please call 217-782-2720.

Duplicate/Corrected Driver's License/Commercial Driver's License

• A duplicate license contains the same information as the original license. If your license has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you may apply for a duplicate license. Victims of theft will receive a free duplicate license if a police report is presented showing the license was stolen.
• To apply for a duplicate license, visit a Secretary of State facility and provide acceptable identification. Applicants will leave the facility with a temporary, secure paper driver's license, which is valid for 90 days and will serve as their DL/state ID for driving purposes and proof of identification. The temporary, secure paper driver's license will contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the permanent driver's license or state ID card. In addition, the facility employee will return the old DL/state ID card back to the applicant.
• A corrected license involves a change to the information on the original license, such as name or address. To obtain a corrected license, you must visit a Secretary of State facility to turn in your incorrect license and provide acceptable identification.
• Once all necessary requirements are completed for the duplicate or corrected license, a temporary driver's license will be issued on secure paper and a permanent driver's license will be mailed within 15 business days.
• By law, you must notify the Secretary of State's office of an address or name change within 10 days. You may submit an address change form electronically, but you must still visit a Secretary of State facility prior to expiration of your license. For a name change, you must provide identification with your new name and identification that links the old and new names. Drivers who hold a valid CDL must notify the Secretary of State's office of an address or name change within 10 days and must obtain a corrected driver's license within 30 days.
• Please see air travel rules.

Name Change

• A name change requires you to apply for a corrected driver license/state ID.
• A corrected license/state ID involves a change to the information on the original license/ state ID, such as name or address. To obtain a corrected license/state ID, you must visit a Secretary of State facility to turn in your incorrect license/state ID and provide acceptable identification.
• An applicant applying for either a duplicate or corrected driver's license or ID card must present:
  • One document that satisfies Group A, and one document from Group D if requesting an address change.
  • An applicant who requests a change in name, date of birth, Social Security number or gender must provide identification to link the change from the previous information to the new information

Gender Change

An applicant who wishes to change the gender that appears on their driver’s license or identification card must submit a Secretary of State Gender Designation Form. If gender designation is changed at renewal, there is no additional fee. If an applicant changes their gender at a time other than renewal, there is a $5 fee for a corrected driver’s license and a $10 fee for a corrected identification card.

Lost/Found/Stolen Driver's License/Commercial Driver's License/State ID Card

• Contact your local police department as soon as possible to report your lost or stolen driver's license.
• If you find a driver's license or State ID, please return it to a Secretary of State facility or local police department.
• If you are in Illinois, a duplicate driver's license may be applied for at any Secretary of State facility. You must provide acceptable identification and pay a fee. You will be issued a temporary driver's license and a permanent driver's license will be mailed within 15 business days.
• If you are out of state, call the License and Medical Review Section at 217-782-2720 for information on receiving an application for a duplicate driver's license to be mailed to you at your out-of-state address.You also may request an application for a duplicate driver's license by emailing the Secretary of State's office with your full name, date of birth, Illinois driver's license number and out-of-state address.
• If you think you may be a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission has developed an Identity Theft brochure that allows identity theft victims to report information to many companies using just one standardized form.
• You will be issued a temporary driver's license and a permanent driver's license will be mailed within 15 business days.
• Please see air travel rules.

Motorcycle License

Operation of a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle in the State of Illinois requires a valid license with the proper classification.

• Class L is any motor-driven cycle with less than 150cc displacement; Class M is any motorcycle with 150cc or greater displacement.
• Applicants under age 18 who present an IDOT Motorcycle Rider Course Student Completion Card must still take the drive exam. Applicable fees and acceptable identification are required.
• Applicants age 18 or older who present an IDOT Motorcycle Rider Course Student Completion Card do not have to take the drive exam. Applicable fees and acceptable identification are required.
• First-time applicants who do not hold a valid Illinois driver's license must successfully complete a vision screening, written (basic and motorcycle) exam and a drive exam. Applicable fees and acceptable identification are required. You will be issued a temporary driver's license and a permanent driver's license will be mailed within 15 business days.
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty outside Illinois may be eligible to add a motorcycle classification to their illinois driver's license with the completion of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course offered at their military base. For more information and to request an application for motorcycle upgrade, please contact 217-782-2720.

For more information, please review the Motorcycle Operator Manual and the Illinois Rules of the Road.

Social Security Online Verification

The Secretary of State's office verifies Social Security numbers with the Social Security Administration prior to issuance or renewal of a driver's license or state ID card to verify name, date of birth and Social Security number. If records cannot be verified, the driver's license or state ID card will not be issued.

State ID Card/ State ID Card Online Renewal

Illinois-issued ID cards can help Illinois residents prove identity when banking, traveling, or in other situations. More information about state ID cards is available in the Illinois Rules of the Road.

The Secretary of State's office mails a renewal letter to State ID Card holders 60 to 90 days prior to the expiration of your State ID card. The renewal letter is mailed to the address our office has on file for the State ID Card. The letter contains the information needed to renew your State ID Card online. A Temporary State ID Card is available for printing once the online renewal transaction is completed.

If you wish to apply for a REAL ID ID card, visit REALID.ilsos.gov for more information.

• There is no minimum age for a state ID card, which provides photo identification for Illinois residents. Children traveling on airplanes may need identification of this type to fly. The card is issued for a fee and is valid for five years. To obtain a state ID card, please visit a Secretary of State facility.
• Free non-expiring state ID cards are available for Illinois residents over age 65. To obtain a state ID card, please visit a Secretary of State facility.
• Free State ID cards valid for 10 years are available for persons with disabilities. To obtain a state ID card, please visit a Secretary of State facility. The applicant must provide an Application for an Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card completed by his/her doctor.
• You will be issued a temporary identification card and a permanent identification card will be mailed within 15 business days.
• For more information on fees for State ID cards please visit basic fees.
• Please see air travel rules.

Restricted Local Drivers License

A Restricted Local License may be issued to qualified drivers who reside in areas with populations of 3,500 or less and who desire to drive only within certain areas, such as to the grocery store, bank or post office. To obtain a Restricted Local License, you must:

• Visit a Secretary of State facility;
• Surrender your current license;
• Pass a vision exam;
• Pass a written exam (if required);
• Pay the appropriate fee; and
• Provide the route(s) you wish to travel.

Facility personnel will complete a route form and forward it along with the application to the Special License Unit for approval. Upon approval of the application and route form, a facility representative will contact the applicant to make arrangements for the drive exam, which will be administered over the route(s) they wish to travel. Upon successful completion of the drive exam, the test results will be forwarded to the Special License Unit. The applicant will receive his or her Restricted Local License by mail.

State ID for the Homeless

A person qualifies for the no-fee identification card, if he or she is considered homeless as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 11302 or 42 U.S.C. 11434a(2). This card is issued free of charge with the proper documentation to show proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, and signature. The individual must also bring a completed Homeless Status Certification.

State ID for the Youth in Care of the IL Department of Children and Family Services

A person qualifies for a no-fee identification card if he or she is 16-20 years of age and is a Youth in Care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). This card is issued free of charge with the proper documentation to show proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, and signature. The applicant must also bring a completed Form 906 issued by DCFS and dated no more than thirty (30) days prior to applying for the no-fee identification card.

State ID for Persons Released from the Illinois Department of Corrections or the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice

Persons incarcerated in Illinois Department of Corrections may be issued a no-fee identification card prior to their release. Applicants must work directly with IDOC to gather required documents, including proof of date of birth and social security number. IDOC photographs the applicant using specific equipment and methods required by the Secretary of State’s office. IDOC then electronically transmits the applicant’s documentation, photo and signature to the Secretary of State’s office using a secure file transfer system mailbox. If all documentation and eligibility requirements are met, the Secretary of State’s office processes the request and sends the state ID to IDOC headquarters for distribution to the corresponding facility. IDOC then gives the state ID card to the individual upon release.

A juvenile qualifies for a no-fee identification card if he or she has been released from the IL Department of Juvenile Justice. This card is issued to qualified individuals who visit a Secretary of State facility within thirty (30) days of their release from incarceration and who bring proper documentation to show proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number and signature. Individuals must also bring a properly completed Identification Card Verification Form issued by the IL Department of Juvenile Justice and dated no more than thirty (30) days prior to applying for the no-fee identification card.

An individual who cannot present proper documentation of social security number and/or date of birth, but whose social security number and date of birth have been verified by the IL Department of Juvenile Justice may be issued a 90-day temporary identification card. The applicant must return to a Secretary of State facility during that 90-day period and present proper documentation of social security number and date of birth to be issued a 5-year identification card.

Temporary Visitor Driver's License

The Secretary of State's office issues a Temporary Visitor Driver's License (TVDL) for non-citizens of the United States who have been granted temporary, legal entry into this country and are temporarily residing in the State of Illinois and ineligible for a Social Security number. To be eligible for a TVDL, a foreign national must:

• Be a non-citizen of the United States residing in the State of Illinois;
• Be authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to be present in this country, and provide documentation verifying such authorization;
• Not be required to obtain a driver's license issued by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Missions;
• Be authorized to be in the country for at least one year and have at least six months remaining on an authorized stay;
• Provide acceptable documentation that proves name, date of birth, Illinois residency and verification of written signature;
• Applicants age 18-20 without a valid license must present proof of successful completion of a 6-hour adult driver education and training course.
• Pay the appropriate fee and successfully complete a vision screening and the appropriate written and road tests.
• A TVDL will be issued only in a Class D, L, M, DL or DM, authorizing operation of a personal car, motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. A TVDL is valid for three years or for the period of time the individual is authorized to stay in this country, whichever ends sooner.
• Individuals eligible for a TVDL may obtain an instruction permit allowing them to practice driving before taking their road exam. To obtain an instruction permit, the applicant must visit one of the designated Secretary of State facilities (Bloomington, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago North, Chicago West, Dekalb, Des Plaines, Macomb, Rockford Central, Springfield (Dirksen Parkway)) and meet the requirements for obtaining a license for the first time.

Veteran Designation

To obtain a "Veteran" designation on your Driver's License or State ID card you must:

• Be an honorably discharged U.S. Veteran.
• Bring your certified Veteran document such as a DD214, Form 13038, Department of Defense Form DD-2 (Retired), an identification card issued under the federal Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015, a United States Department of Veterans Affairs summary of benefits letter or other official Department of Defense discharge document that indicates the applicant was honorable discharged to any Secretary of State facility to obtain the "Veteran" designation on your Driver's License or State ID card. If the "Veteran" designation is added during the renewal of your Driver's License or State ID card, there is no additional cost. If a veteran chooses to add the designation before their scheduled renewal date, they may obtain an updated Driver's License for $5 and an updated State ID card for $10. Veterans over the age of 65 can obtain an updated State ID card at no cost.
• Applicants will leave the facility with a temporary, secure paper driver's license, which is valid for 90 days and will serve as their DL/state ID for driving purposes and proof of identification. The temporary, secure paper driver's license will contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the permanent driver's license or state ID card. In addition, the facility employee will return the old DL/state ID card back to the applicant.
• The SOS will verify your Veteran document with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA). If the IDVA is unable to verify your honorably-discharged veteran status, you will be notified to return to a SOS facility to have the veteran designation removed from your driver’s license and/or identification card.

To find your nearest Illinois Dept. of Veterans' Affairs office or to request a replacement DD-214 or Form 13038, please call 1-800-437-9824 or visit: http://www.illinois.gov/veterans/.

Deceased Notification

Upon the death of a card holder, please submit a copy of the certified death certificate along with the Driver's License and/or Identification Card (if available) to:
Secretary of State
Central Services Section
2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy.
Springfield, IL 62723

If you are a relative of the decedent and would like to keep the credential issued by the Secretary of State, please visit the attending coroner or nearest Secretary of State facility and fill out the Invalidation of a Driver's License, Identification Card or Permit Form. This form is promulgated pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/601.3 and 15 ILCS 335.17. If you have any questions please contact Central Services at 217-785-1424.