Driver's License

HOW TO RENEW YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE

Renewing Your License  |  If You Didn't Receive a Notice  |  Requirements  |  Changing Your Name or Address  | Providing Authentic Documentation  |  Renewing From Out of State  |  Renewing Before Receiving the Notice  |  Find Your Nearest Facility

Renewing Your License

Approximately 60 to 90 days prior to the expiration of your driver's license, the Secretary of State's office mails a renewal letter to your address in our driving record file. It is your responsibility, by law, to inform our office when you change your address.

The renewal letter will inform you what tests are required to renew your license. Each time you renew at a facility you must have your vision screened. Other testing requirements will vary depending on the type of license you are renewing.

If you are to take a drive test, you must present motor vehicle proof of liability insurance. You may want to review the Rules of the Road first.

Acceptable identification documents will always be required. The renewal notice will also inform you what fee you will pay. Click here to review the fees.

A new photo will be taken. You should receive your new license that day.

If your renewal letter says you are a Safe Driver, you have other options for renewing besides visiting a Driver Services Facility.

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If You Didn't Receive a Notice

If you have not notified the Secretary of State of a change in name or address, you may not receive notification of your license renewal. Law requires you to inform the Secretary of State of a name or address change within 10 days. Members of the armed forces on active duty outside Illinois, as well as their spouses and children, may drive with expired licenses for up to 90 days after their return. You may submit a Change of Address form online now, but you must still visit your nearest drivers facility prior to the expiration of your license.

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Requirements

For drivers not eligible for Safe Driver Renewal, the following license renewal requirements apply.

Expirations

• Drivers under age 21 are issued licenses that expire three months after their 21st birthday.
• Drivers age 21 through 80 are issued licenses that are good for four years and expire on their birthday.
• Drivers age 81 through 86 are issued licenses good for two years.
• Drivers age 87 and older must renew their licenses each year.

Test Requirements

• Vision screening is mandatory.
• All persons age 75 and over must take a driving test.
• Everyone must take a written test every eight years except those having no traffic convictions. If you have an accident involvement recorded on your driving record, you may be required to take the written and/or road exams.
• Early renewal may be accomplished up to one year before a four-year or two-year license expires or six months before a one-year license expires.

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Changing Your Name or Address

Within 10 days of changing your name or address, you are required by law to notify the Secretary of State of the change. You may submit a change of address form online. Or you may visit a driver services facility, or write the Driver Services Department, Attention: Address Change, 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62723-0001.

In addition, residents who hold a valid CDL must obtain a corrected driver's license within 30 days of a change of address.

If you change your name, you must obtain a corrected driver's license, corrected title, and corrected registration ID card before the Secretary of State records can be changed. A corrected driver's license must be obtained at a driver services facility. You will be required to show identification with your new name and identification that links your old and new names. Vehicle registration forms may also be completed at the driver services facility, or these forms can be mailed to you.

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Providing Authentic Documentation

To receive an Illinois driver's license or ID card, you must provide a minimum of three acceptable forms of identification. You must prove name, date of birth, Illinois residency, Social Security Number and signature for comparison. One of these forms should be a certified birth certificate.

Secretary of State personnel, who make the final decision on whether identification is acceptable, will compare your signature on any of the above official documents to the signature on the driver's license or the ID card application. Facility personnel also have the right to require additional proof of identity. Review the acceptable forms of identification.

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Renewing from Out of State

As a member of the military stationed outside the state of Illinois, you, your spouse and children living with you may all have the expiration of your driver’s licenses deferred for up to 90 days after your discharge or reassignment to a military base in Illinois. Military Deferral Certificate(s) to be carried with your expired Illinois driver’s license can be issued at no charge and mailed to your out-of-state address.

In order to obtain a Military Deferral Certificate, mail a copy of your current Illinois driver’s license, a copy of the front and back of your Military Identification Card and your out-of-state address to the Secretary of State, License and Medical Review Unit, 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62723.

If you have questions regarding a Military Deferral Certificate, you may contact the License and Medical Review Unit at (217) 782-2720.

If you are not in the military, you may submit a request for renewal forms to:
Secretary of State
Special License Re-Examination Unit
2701 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62723
Or call (217) 782-2720

You also may be eligible to renew your driver's license through the Safe Driver Renewal Program.

It may be helpful to know that Illinois drivers can renew their licenses up to one year before a four-year or two-year license expires, or six months before a one-year license expires.

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Renewing Before Receiving the Notice

You may renew up to one year before a 2- or 4-year license expires. If you have a one-year license you may renew up to six months in advance of your expiration date.

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