You can renew an expired Illinois license by mail, online, or in person at a Secretary of State facility
Illinois allows you to renew an expired driver's license through three routes: mail-in renewal, online renewal through the Secretary of State website, or in-person at a Driver Services facility. The method you choose depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you need to update your photo or address. Mail and online renewals are faster and cheaper than in-person visits, but they have restrictions on how old your license can be.
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can use mail or online renewal. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person. Your license must be valid or expired to renew it; if it was suspended or revoked, you cannot use these standard renewal paths and must contact the Secretary of State directly.
Key Takeaways
- Mail and online renewals work only if your license expired within the last five years; licenses expired longer than that require an in-person visit.
- Online renewal costs $30 and takes about two weeks; mail renewal costs $30 plus postage and takes three to four weeks.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Services facility costs $30 and includes a new photo, but you must bring your current or expired license plus proof of residency.
- You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address to complete any renewal method.
- If your address has changed since your license was issued, you must update it during renewal, and mail renewal cannot process address changes.
Online renewal through the Secretary of State website
Online renewal is the fastest option if your license expired fewer than five years ago. You go to the Illinois Secretary of State website, select "Renew Your Driver's License," and enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity and display your current license information for you to confirm or update.
The fee is $30, paid by debit or credit card. Once you complete the transaction, your new license will be mailed to the address on file within two weeks. You do not need to visit a facility or mail anything in. However, online renewal does not allow you to change your photo, so if you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person instead.
Online renewal also cannot process address changes. If you have moved since your license was issued, you must either renew by mail (and include a proof-of-residency document) or renew in person.
Mail-in renewal with the Secretary of State
Mail renewal works if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you do not need to change your photo. You request a renewal process by calling the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 or by visiting a Driver Services facility in person to pick up the form. You can also read the process from the Secretary of State website.
Complete the process and mail it to the address listed on the form, along with your current or expired license, a check or money order for $30, and proof of your current address if you have moved. Proof of residency can be a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your name and current address. Do not send cash.
Processing takes three to four weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided. Mail renewal is slower than online renewal but works if you do not have internet access or prefer not to use the online system.
In-person renewal at a Driver Services facility
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than five years ago. It is also your only option if you want a new photo, need to change your address, or if online and mail renewal are not available to you for any reason. You can visit any Driver Services facility in Illinois; you do not have to go to the facility in your home county.
Bring your expired license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address), and your Social Security number and date of birth. The fee is $30, paid by cash, check, money order, or card at the facility. The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.
Your new license will arrive by mail within two weeks. If you need your license sooner, some facilities offer expedited service for an additional fee, but this varies by location. Call ahead to confirm whether your local facility offers expedited renewal and what the cost is.
Documents you need for each renewal method
| Renewal Method | Documents Required | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Driver's license number, date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number | $30 | 2 weeks |
| Expired license, proof of residency (if address changed), check or money order for $30 | $30 | 3–4 weeks | |
| In-person | Expired license, proof of residency, Social Security number, date of birth | $30 | 15–30 minutes; license arrives by mail in 2 weeks |
Common mistakes that delay your renewal
The most frequent error is attempting to renew online or by mail when your license expired more than five years ago. The system will reject your process, and you will have to start over with an in-person visit. Check your license expiration date before you begin any renewal.
For mail renewal, sending cash instead of a check or money order is a common problem. The Secretary of State will not process your process if cash is enclosed, and you will not know this happened until weeks have passed. Always send a check or money order.
Another delay occurs when you move and attempt online renewal without updating your address first. Online renewal cannot change your address, so your new license will be mailed to your old address and you will not receive it. If you have moved, use mail renewal with proof of residency or renew in person.
Finally, if you are renewing in person, bring your proof of residency document with you. Many people arrive at the facility without it and have to leave and return. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or recent bank statement all work; it just needs to show your name and current address.
What happens if your license was suspended or revoked
Standard renewal methods do not work if your license was suspended or revoked. You must contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services Division directly at 217-782-6900 to find out what steps you need to take. Depending on the reason for the suspension or revocation, you may need to pay a reinstatement fee, complete a hearing, or meet other requirements before you can renew.
Do not attempt to renew online or by mail if your license status is anything other than valid or expired. The system will reject your process, and contacting the Secretary of State afterward will take longer than calling them first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than five years ago?
Yes, but only in person at a Driver Services facility. Mail and online renewal are not available for licenses expired more than five years. You will need your expired license, proof of residency, and $30. A new photo will be taken during your visit.
What if I moved and my license still shows my old address?
If you renew online, your new license will be mailed to the address on file (your old address). Use mail renewal with proof of your new address, or renew in person and bring proof of residency. In-person renewal is the fastest way to update your address.
Do I have to renew in person if I want a new photo?
Yes. Online and mail renewal do not include a new photo. Only in-person renewal at a Driver Services facility will give you a new photo on your license. You will need your expired license, proof of residency, and $30.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online renewal takes about two weeks. Mail renewal takes three to four weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your envelope. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license when ready, and your permanent license arrives by mail within two weeks.
What counts as proof of residency for mail or in-person renewal?
A recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your name and current address all work. The document should be dated within the last 60 days. If you are renewing in person, bring the original document with you.