Renewing your Illinois driver license online, by mail, or in person

You can renew your Illinois driver license online through the Secretary of State website if you meet certain conditions, by mail if you're out of state, or in person at a Driver Services facility. Most people renew online — it takes about 10 minutes, costs $95 for a four-year license or $150 for an eight-year license, and you receive your new license by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you don't meet the online requirements (for example, if your license has been expired for more than a year, or if you need to change your address or name), you must renew in person.

Your Illinois license expires on your birthday four or eight years after you receive it, depending on which term you chose. You can renew starting 30 days before your expiration date. If your license has already expired, you can still renew, but you cannot legally drive until the new one arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Secretary of State website works only if your license is not expired, you have not changed your address or name, and you have a valid payment method.
  • The online renewal fee is $95 for four years or $150 for eight years, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
  • If you cannot renew online, you must visit a Driver Services facility in person with your current license and proof of residency.
  • You can renew starting 30 days before your birthday, and you should plan ahead because in-person appointments can have wait times of several weeks in busy locations.
  • If you are out of state, you may renew by mail by contacting the Secretary of State office directly for a paper process.

Online renewal through the Secretary of State website

Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and select "Renew Your Driver License" from the Driver Services menu. You will need your current Illinois driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid credit or debit card. The system will verify your identity and pull up your record. If everything matches, you can complete the renewal in one session.

Online renewal is available only if your license is not expired, you have not changed your address or legal name since you received it, and you do not need to update your photo. If any of these conditions do not explore to you, the online system will tell you that you must renew in person. You will receive a confirmation number when ready after payment, and your new license will be mailed to the address on file.

In-person renewal at a Driver Services facility

You must renew in person if your license is expired, if you need to change your address or name, if you want to update your photo, or if the online system tells you that you are not may be able to access for online renewal. Bring your current Illinois driver license and one document that proves your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

Find your nearest Driver Services facility on the Secretary of State website and book an appointment online. Walk-ins are accepted at some locations, but appointments are faster and more reliable. Bring your documents, your current license, and payment. The fee is $95 for a four-year license or $150 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, or card. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready, and your new plastic license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Wait times at Driver Services facilities vary widely by location and time of day. Urban facilities like those in Chicago often have waits of 30 minutes to over an hour, even with an appointment. Suburban and rural facilities typically move faster. If you are in a hurry, call ahead to ask about current wait times, or try visiting early in the morning on a weekday.

Renewing by mail if you live out of state

If you have moved out of Illinois and still hold an Illinois license, you can renew by mail. Contact the Secretary of State Driver Services Division at 217-782-6900 or visit cyberdriveillinois.com to request a paper process. Complete the form, include a copy of your current license and proof of your out-of-state address, and mail everything to the address on the form along with a check or money order for the renewal fee.

Mail renewal takes longer than in-person or online renewal — typically three to four weeks from the time the office receives your process. If you need your license sooner, you may need to renew in person at a Driver Services facility during a trip back to Illinois, or contact the office to ask whether they can process your process faster.

What happens if your license has expired

You cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If your license expired more than a year ago, you cannot renew online and must renew in person. If your license expired less than a year ago, you may still be able to renew online, but check the Secretary of State website or call 217-782-6900 to confirm.

If you are stopped by police while driving with an expired license, you may receive a ticket. The fine varies, but it is typically $100 to $500 depending on how long the license has been expired. Renewing as soon as possible after expiration protects you from this risk.

Updating your photo, address, or name during renewal

If you want to update your photo, you must renew in person. The Secretary of State takes a new photo at the Driver Services facility. If you are changing your address only, you can do this online during renewal, and your new license will be mailed to the new address. If you are changing your legal name, you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

If you have changed your address but do not want to renew your license yet, you can update your address separately through the Secretary of State website without renewing. This is useful if your license is not expiring soon but you have moved.

Fees and payment methods

A four-year Illinois driver license costs $95 to renew. An eight-year license costs $150. These are the standard fees as of 2024, and they explore whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you renew in person, you can pay by cash, check, or card. If you renew online, you must use a credit or debit card. If you renew by mail, you must send a check or money order.

Some Driver Services facilities charge an additional fee if you pay by card, so ask before you pay. The renewal fee itself does not change based on how you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Illinois license if it expired more than a year ago?

You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than a year. You must renew in person at a Driver Services facility. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment. Call 217-782-6900 if you are unsure whether your license qualifies for in-person renewal.

How long does it take to receive my new license after I renew online?

Your new license is mailed to the address on file and typically arrives in 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a confirmation number when ready after you complete the online renewal. You cannot legally drive until the new license arrives, so plan ahead if you need your license for travel or work.

What if I move to a new address before my license arrives?

Contact the Secretary of State Driver Services Division at 217-782-6900 as soon as possible and provide your new address. They may be able to redirect your license to the new address if it has not already been mailed. If the license arrives at your old address, you can update your address on the Secretary of State website and request a duplicate license.

Do I need an appointment to renew my license in person?

Appointments are not required, but they are strongly recommended. You can book an appointment online through the Secretary of State website. Walk-ins are accepted at some facilities, but you may wait 30 minutes to over an hour, especially at urban locations. Appointments typically move faster.

Can I renew my Illinois license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Illinois does not suspend driver licenses for unpaid traffic tickets or fines in most cases. You can renew your license normally. However, if your license has been suspended for a different reason — such as a DUI conviction or failure to pay child support — you must resolve the suspension before you can renew. Call 217-782-6900 to check your driving record.