What You Need to Do to Renew an Expired Illinois License
You can renew an expired Illinois driver's license through the Secretary of State's office in three ways: online, by mail, 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 address or photograph. Online renewal is the fastest option if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need a new photo. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person or by mail and will need to provide a new photograph.
Illinois does not charge a separate renewal fee for most drivers. The cost is built into your vehicle registration renewal through the Secretary of State's office. If you renew your driver's license separately from your vehicle registration, the fee is $30 for a five-year license or $95 for a 10-year license. The process typically takes two to three weeks by mail, one to two weeks online, or same-day in person at a Driver Services facility.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through cyberdriveillinois.com works only if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need a new photograph.
- Mail renewal requires a completed process form (DL 44), a new photograph, and proof of residency, and takes two to three weeks.
- In-person renewal at any Driver Services facility is the only option if your license expired more than five years ago or if you need to change your address or photograph.
- You must bring your expired license, proof of residency, and a new photograph to renew in person; no appointment is required but wait times vary by location.
- Illinois does not mail renewal notices, so you are responsible for tracking your expiration date and renewing before or after it passes.
Online Renewal Through the Secretary of State Website
Online renewal is available at cyberdriveillinois.com and is the quickest method if you meet the requirements. You can renew online only if your license expired within the last five years, you do not need to change your address, and you do not need a new photograph. You will need your expired license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth to start the process.
The online system will ask you to confirm your current address and verify your identity by answering security questions based on your driving record. Once you complete the process, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within one to two weeks. You can use your expired license as proof of identity until your new one arrives.
If the online system rejects your process, it will tell you why — usually because your license expired more than five years ago or because the system cannot verify your identity. In that case, you must renew by mail or in person.
Mail Renewal With a New Photograph
Mail renewal is an option if your license expired within the last five years or if it expired more than five years ago. You will need to complete form DL 44 (process for Illinois Driver's License or Permit), which you can read from cyberdriveillinois.com or request by calling the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900. You must also provide a new photograph that meets Illinois specifications: a color or black-and-white photo, 2 inches by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, showing your full face and current appearance.
Mail your completed form DL 44, your new photograph, a copy of your expired license (front and back), and proof of your current address to the address listed on the form. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government document dated within the last 60 days. Do not send your original expired license — send a copy only. Processing takes two to three weeks. You will receive your new license by mail at the address you provided on the form.
If your address has changed since your license was issued, include a document showing your new address along with your process. If you are renewing after more than five years of expiration, mail renewal is one of only two options available to you (the other being in-person renewal).
In-Person Renewal at a Driver Services Facility
In-person renewal is the only option if your license expired more than five years ago. It is also the fastest method overall — you can walk out with a temporary license the same day and receive your permanent license by mail within one to two weeks. You do not need an appointment. Driver Services facilities are located in most counties; you can find the nearest one and check current wait times at cyberdriveillinois.com.
Bring your expired license, a new photograph (2 inches by 2 inches, color or black and white, taken within the last six months), and proof of your current address. Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government document dated within the last 60 days. If you have changed your address since your license was issued, bring a document showing your new address.
At the facility, a staff member will take a new photograph if you do not bring one, though you will pay an additional $5 fee for this service. You will complete your process on site, pay the renewal fee ($30 for five years or $95 for 10 years), and receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.
Documents and Fees You Will Need
| Renewal Method | Documents Required | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Expired license number, last 4 SSN digits, date of birth | $0 (included in registration) | 1–2 weeks |
| Form DL 44, new photo, copy of expired license, proof of residency | $30 or $95 | 2–3 weeks | |
| In Person | Expired license, new photo (or pay $5 for on-site photo), proof of residency | $30 or $95 | Same day (temporary); 1–2 weeks (permanent) |
The $30 fee covers a five-year license; the $95 fee covers a 10-year license. If you renew online, you pay nothing because the fee is collected when you renew your vehicle registration. If you renew by mail or in person, you pay at the time of renewal. Illinois accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card at Driver Services facilities. By mail, you can pay by check or money order only — do not send cash.
Common Mistakes That Delay Renewal
The most common mistake is attempting online renewal when your license expired more than five years ago. The online system will reject your process, and you will have to start over with mail or in-person renewal. Check your expiration date before you begin the online process.
Another frequent error is submitting a photograph that does not meet Illinois specifications. Your photo must be exactly 2 inches by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, and show your full face and current appearance. Passport photos often work, but wallet-sized photos are too small. If you mail a photo that does not meet the requirements, the Secretary of State will return your process and you will lose time.
Do not send your original expired license by mail — send a copy only. If you send the original, it may be lost in the mail and you will have no proof of your old license number if you need it later. Also, do not forget to include proof of your current address. Applications without proof of residency are rejected and returned.
What Happens If Your License Is Expired and You Are Driving
Driving with an expired license in Illinois is a traffic violation. If you are stopped, you can be cited and fined. However, if your license expired within the last 30 days and you can show proof that you have submitted a renewal process (such as a confirmation email from online renewal or a receipt from mailing your process), an officer may issue a warning instead of a citation. This protection does not explore if your license expired more than 30 days ago.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, renew in person at a Driver Services facility. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, which you can use when ready while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Illinois license if I do not have a current address on file?
You must provide proof of your current address when you renew, regardless of the method you choose. If you have moved since your license was issued, bring a document dated within the last 60 days showing your new address — such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. If you renew online, the system will ask you to confirm your address; if it does not match your current residence, you cannot complete the online process and must renew by mail or in person.
What if I lost my expired license and cannot find it?
You can still renew by mail or in person without your expired license, but you will need to provide additional proof of identity. Bring a passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID. If you renew by mail, include a copy of one of these documents with your process. If you renew in person, bring the original document to the Driver Services facility.
How long does it take to receive a license renewed by mail?
Mail renewal typically takes two to three weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your process. Processing time does not include mailing time in either direction. Mail your process early enough that it arrives at the Secretary of State's office with time to spare before you need to drive.
Can I choose a 10-year license instead of a 5-year license when I renew?
Yes. When you renew in person or by mail, you can choose either a five-year license ($30) or a 10-year license ($95). Online renewal defaults to a five-year license, and you cannot change this option through the online system. If you want a 10-year license, you must renew in person or by mail.
Do I need an appointment to renew my license in person at a Driver Services facility?
No appointment is required. Walk-in renewal is available at all Driver Services facilities during business hours. Wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check current wait times for your nearest facility on cyberdriveillinois.com before you go.