Where to renew your Chicago driver's license
In Chicago, you renew your driver's license through the Illinois Secretary of State, not the city itself. The Secretary of State runs all driver's license services for Illinois, including renewals, replacements, and testing. Chicago residents can renew at any of the Secretary of State's driver services facilities across the city, or online if you meet certain requirements.
The easiest option for most people is to renew online at cyberdriveillinois.com if your license is not expired and you have not had any major changes to your information. If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a driver services facility in person. Chicago has multiple locations, including facilities in downtown Chicago and in neighborhoods across the city.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois residents renew through the Secretary of State, and Chicago residents can renew online, by mail, or in person at a driver services facility.
- Online renewal is available if your license is not expired, you have not changed your name or address, and you do not need a new photo.
- In-person renewal at a Chicago driver services facility takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and you will need your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.
- Your renewed license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you renew online or by mail, or you can receive it when ready if you renew in person.
- Illinois driver's licenses expire every four or eight years depending on your age, and you can renew up to one year before expiration.
Online renewal for Chicago residents
Online renewal through cyberdriveillinois.com is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. You can renew online if your current license is not expired, your name and address have not changed, you do not need a new photo, and you have not had any suspensions or restrictions added to your license. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $30 for a four-year renewal or $60 for an eight-year renewal.
To renew online, you will need your current Illinois driver's license number, your date of birth, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). After you complete the online form and pay, your new license will be mailed to the address on file. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
In-person renewal at a Chicago driver services facility
If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a driver services facility in person. Chicago has several locations where you can renew your license. The main downtown facility is located at 100 W. Randolph Street, but there are also facilities in neighborhoods throughout the city. You can find the full list of Chicago locations and their hours on the Secretary of State website.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current Chicago address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement). The visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will have your photo taken and can receive your new license when ready or have it mailed to you. If you receive it in person, there is no additional wait time.
The cost of in-person renewal is the same as online renewal: $30 for a four-year license or $60 for an eight-year license. Payment is accepted in cash, debit, or credit card at most facilities.
Mail renewal for Chicago residents
You can also renew by mail if your license is not expired and you meet the same requirements as online renewal (no name change, no address change, no new photo needed, no suspensions). To renew by mail, read the process form from cyberdriveillinois.com, fill it out, and mail it along with your current license and payment to the address listed on the form.
Mail renewal takes longer than online or in-person renewal. You should expect your new license to arrive 7 to 10 business days after the Secretary of State receives your process. During that time, you can continue to drive on your current license. The cost is the same as other renewal methods.
What documents you need for Chicago renewal
The documents you need depend on which renewal method you choose. For online renewal, you need only your current license number and date of birth. For in-person or mail renewal, you need your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
Proof of Social Security number can be a Social Security card, a tax return, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form. Proof of address can be a utility bill, a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government-issued document with your name and current address. The document must show your current Chicago address and must be dated within the last 60 days (for utility bills) or within the last year (for other documents).
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you will need to provide legal documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. In that case, you cannot renew online and must renew in person or by mail.
How long your renewed license is valid
Illinois driver's licenses expire every four or eight years, depending on your age when you renew. If you are under 69 years old, you can choose a four-year or eight-year license. If you are 69 or older, your license is valid for four years. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date to explore.
Your new license will show the expiration date on the front. If you renew before your current license expires, your old license will no longer be valid once you receive the new one, even if the old one has not reached its expiration date yet.
What to do if your license is already expired
If your Illinois driver's license has already expired, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a Chicago driver services facility or by mail. The process is the same as a regular renewal, and you will need the same documents. However, you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives, so plan your visit soon after you realize your license has expired.
If your license has been expired for more than a few years, the Secretary of State may require you to take a written test or vision test in addition to the renewal process. Call the driver services facility ahead of time to ask whether you will need to take a test, so you can prepare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Chicago driver's license online if I just moved to a new address?
No. Online renewal is only available if your address has not changed. If you moved to a new Chicago address, you must renew in person or by mail and provide proof of your new address. You can update your address at the same time you renew your license.
How much does it cost to renew a driver's license in Chicago?
A four-year renewal costs $30, and an eight-year renewal costs $60. These fees are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. Payment is accepted by debit card, credit card, or cash (cash only at in-person locations).
Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?
No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first contact the Secretary of State to resolve the suspension or revocation. Once it is cleared, you can renew. If you are unsure whether your license has a suspension or restriction, call the driver services facility or check your status on cyberdriveillinois.com.
What if I need a new photo for my license renewal?
If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a Chicago driver services facility. You cannot get a new photo through online or mail renewal. When you visit in person, you will have your photo taken as part of the renewal process at no extra cost.
How long does it take to get my renewed license after I explore?
If you renew online or by mail, your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew in person, you can receive your license when ready at the facility or request that it be mailed to you. when ready in-person pickup is the fastest option if you need your new license right away.