Illinois lets you renew online if your license is not expired and you meet a few basic requirements
You can renew your Illinois driver's license online through the Secretary of State's website if your license is still valid (not yet expired) and you have not had certain violations or medical suspensions. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs $95 for a four-year renewal, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method.
Not everyone can use the online route. You cannot renew online if your license has already expired, if you have had a suspension or revocation in the past five years, if you need to update your address, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). If any of those explore, you will need to visit a Secretary of State facility in person.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only while your current license is still valid — if it has expired, you must go to a Secretary of State office.
- The online renewal costs $95 for a four-year license and takes about 10 minutes to complete on the Secretary of State website.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you can continue driving on your current license until it arrives.
- You cannot renew online if you have had a suspension, revocation, or medical hold in the past five years, or if you need to change your address.
- You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a debit or credit card to pay the fee.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather these items before you go to the Secretary of State website to renew. You will need your current Illinois driver's license (to get your license number), the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid debit or credit card to pay the $95 renewal fee. If your address has changed since your license was issued, you cannot complete the renewal online — you will have to visit an office in person and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease.
Check your license expiration date before you start. If your license has already expired, the online system will not let you proceed. You also cannot renew online if you have received a suspension notice, revocation notice, or medical hold from the Illinois Secretary of State in the past five years. If you are unsure whether you have any holds on your record, call the Secretary of State's driver services line at 217-782-6900 before attempting to renew.
Steps to complete your renewal on the Secretary of State website
Go to the Illinois Secretary of State website and look for the "Renew Your Driver's License Online" option under the driver's license section. Click that link, and you will be taken to a find page where you enter your license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your current license information and ask you to confirm that it is correct.
Review the information on screen carefully — your name, date of birth, address, and any restrictions or endorsements on your license. If anything is wrong, stop and visit a Secretary of State office instead, because the online system cannot make corrections. If everything matches, proceed to the payment page. Enter your debit or credit card information and submit your payment. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email; save both.
After you submit payment, your renewal is complete. You do not need to do anything else. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
When your new license arrives and what to do with your old one
Your new license will come in a standard envelope from the Illinois Secretary of State, usually within 7 to 10 business days of completing your online renewal. Open the envelope and check that your name, date of birth, and license number are correct. Your new license will have a new expiration date four years from the date you renewed.
Once your new license arrives, you should destroy your old one. Cut it in half or shred it to prevent identity theft. You do not need to return it to the Secretary of State. If your new license does not arrive within 14 business days, contact the Secretary of State's driver services line at 217-782-6900 to report it.
Why you might not be able to renew online
The online renewal system is designed for straightforward cases where nothing has changed and you have no violations on your record. If you have had a suspension, revocation, or medical hold in the past five years, the system will reject your renewal and direct you to visit an office. These holds exist for safety reasons — the Secretary of State wants to review your record before issuing a new license.
You also cannot renew online if your address has changed, because the system cannot update your address without verifying proof of residency in person. If you need to change your name, add or remove restrictions, or update your organ donor status, you will need to visit a Secretary of State facility. The same applies if your license has expired — once it is past the expiration date, you are no longer may be able to access for the online renewal process and must explore for a new license in person.
What to do if the online system rejects your renewal
If you try to renew online and the system tells you that you are not may be able to access, it will usually give you a reason. Common reasons include an expired license, an active suspension or hold, or a mismatch between the information you entered and what is in the Secretary of State's database. Write down the reason the system gives you.
Visit a Secretary of State facility in person with your current license and any documents the rejection message mentioned. Bring a photo ID, proof of residency if your address has changed, and your Social Security card or a document with your full Social Security number. You can find the nearest office and check its hours on the Secretary of State website. Bring your payment method as well — in-person renewals also cost $95 for a four-year license, but you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license expired last month?
No. The online renewal system only works if your license is still valid. Once your license expires, you must visit a Secretary of State office in person to renew. Bring your expired license, a photo ID, and proof of residency.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives. If it does not arrive within 14 business days, contact the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900.
What if I made a mistake when I renewed online?
If you entered incorrect information, you cannot fix it online. You will need to visit a Secretary of State office in person with your current license and ask them to correct your record. Bring a photo ID and any documents that support the correction, such as a birth certificate if your name changed.
Can I renew my commercial driver's license online?
No. Commercial driver's licenses (CDL) cannot be renewed online. You must visit a Secretary of State office in person with your current CDL, a photo ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security card or number.
Do I need to bring my old license to the Secretary of State office if I renewed online?
No. If you renewed online, your new license comes by mail and you do not need to visit an office. Once it arrives, destroy your old license by cutting or shredding it. You do not need to return it.