Renewing Your License in Chicago: The Basic Steps
In Chicago, you renew your driver's license through the Illinois Secretary of State, not through the city itself. You can renew in person at a Driver Services facility, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Secretary of State's website. Most people renew every four or eight years, depending on their age and license type — your current license shows your expiration date on the front.
The fastest route for most people is online renewal, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $30 for a four-year renewal or $60 for an eight-year renewal. If you cannot renew online, an in-person visit to a Driver Services facility takes 30 to 60 minutes and costs the same amount. Mail renewal is available but slower — it takes two to three weeks after you send in your materials.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online through the Illinois Secretary of State website if your license is not suspended, you have not changed your name, and you do not need a new photo.
- In-person renewal at a Chicago Driver Services facility requires your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number, and takes about an hour.
- Mail renewal is an option if you prefer not to visit in person, but it takes two to three weeks and requires you to send original documents.
- Your license expires on the date printed on the front; renewing before that date keeps you legal to drive without interruption.
- Chicago has three Driver Services facilities: one downtown, one on the North Side, and one on the South Side; wait times vary by location and time of day.
Online Renewal: The Fastest Option
Online renewal through the Secretary of State's website is available if your current license is valid and not suspended, you have not changed your legal name since your last renewal, and you do not need a new photo. You will need your current license number, your Social Security number, and a credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee.
Go to cyberdriveillinois.com, select "Driver License Services," then "Renew Your Driver License Online." Answer the questions about your address, driving record, and medical history. If everything checks out, you pay the fee and your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives.
Online renewal fails if the Secretary of State's system detects a suspension, an unpaid ticket, a name change, or a need for a new photo due to age or appearance. If you see an error message, you will need to renew in person instead.
In-Person Renewal at a Chicago Driver Services Facility
Chicago has three Secretary of State Driver Services facilities. The downtown location is at 100 West Randolph Street; the North Side location is at 9901 West Skokie Boulevard in Skokie; and the South Side location is at 9 South Halsted Street. All three handle renewals, but wait times differ — downtown is usually busiest during lunch hours and after 3 p.m., while the North and South Side locations tend to have shorter waits on weekday mornings.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. You do not need an appointment; you take a number and wait. The staff will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your renewal on the spot. You pay $30 for a four-year renewal or $60 for an eight-year renewal by card or cash. Your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
If your address has changed since your last renewal, bring proof of your new address. If your name has changed, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you have a suspension or unpaid tickets, the staff will tell you what you need to clear before you can renew.
Mail Renewal: When You Cannot Visit in Person
Mail renewal is available if you meet the same conditions as online renewal: your license is valid and not suspended, your name has not changed, and you do not need a new photo. read the DL 44 form from the Secretary of State's website, fill it out, and mail it with your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and proof of your current address.
Send your materials to the Secretary of State, Driver Services Division, 501 South Second Street, Springfield, Illinois 62756. Processing takes two to three weeks after the office receives your envelope. Your new license is mailed to you after that, so the total time from mailing to receiving your new license is usually four to five weeks. You can continue driving on your current license during this time.
Keep a copy of everything you mail, and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery. If your renewal is not processed within five weeks, call the Secretary of State's customer service line at 217-782-6900 to check the status.
What Happens If Your License Has Expired
If your license has already expired, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must visit a Driver Services facility in person. Bring the same documents you would for a regular renewal: your expired license, proof of address, and your Social Security number. The staff will process your renewal the same way, and you will receive your new license within 7 to 10 business days.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Illinois, even if you have submitted a renewal process. Do not drive until your new license arrives. If you are stopped by police, you can show them your renewal receipt or a printout of your online process confirmation, but this does not give you legal permission to drive — it only shows you have applied.
License Types and Renewal Length in Illinois
Illinois offers two renewal lengths: four years and eight years. Most adults renew for four years and pay $30. Drivers aged 69 and older renew for four years at a reduced cost of $20. If you are between 18 and 68 and want an eight-year renewal, you pay $60.
Your current license shows which length you chose last time. If you want to switch from four years to eight years (or vice versa), you can do so during renewal. Online and mail renewal let you choose at the time you submit. In-person renewal, the staff will ask which length you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have an unpaid ticket or suspension?
No. The Secretary of State's system will block your renewal if you have an active suspension or unpaid traffic tickets. You must resolve these issues first. Contact the court that issued the ticket or the agency that suspended your license to find out what you owe or what steps you need to take. Once cleared, you can renew online, by mail, or in person.
What if I have changed my name since my last renewal?
You cannot renew online or by mail if your name has changed. You must visit a Driver Services facility in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The staff will issue a new license with your updated name.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
After you renew online or in person, your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks for processing, plus 7 to 10 days for mailing, so four to five weeks total. You can drive on your current license until your new one arrives.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
A new photo is taken automatically when you renew in person. Online and mail renewal use your existing photo unless the Secretary of State's system flags your license as needing an updated photo — this happens if you are over a certain age or if your photo is very old. If you want a new photo but are not required to have one, you must renew in person.
What if I move out of Chicago but keep my Illinois license?
You can renew your license by mail or online from anywhere in Illinois or out of state. If you move and want to update your address on your license, you can do so during renewal. Bring proof of your new address if you renew in person. For mail renewal, include proof of your new address with your process.