You can renew an expired Illinois driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Secretary of State office
If your Illinois driver's license has expired, you have three ways to renew it. The fastest and easiest route for most people is online through the Secretary of State website — it takes about 10 minutes and you'll receive your new license by mail within two to three weeks. If you prefer not to go online, you can mail in a renewal form, though this takes longer. In-person renewal at a Secretary of State office is also an option, though it requires a trip and typically involves waiting in line.
The method you choose depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you need to update any information. If your license expired fewer than five years ago and nothing about you has changed — your name, address, or appearance — you can use the online or mail-in routes. If your license expired more than five years ago, or if you need to change your name, address, or other details, you'll need to renew in person.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Secretary of State website is the fastest option and works if your license expired within the last five years and your information hasn't changed.
- Mail-in renewal requires you to send a completed form and payment to the Secretary of State, but takes two to four weeks longer than online renewal.
- In-person renewal at a Secretary of State office is required if your license expired more than five years ago or if you need to update your name, address, or other personal information.
- Your new license will be mailed to you after approval, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person — you cannot pick it up the same day.
- The renewal fee is $30 for a four-year license or $95 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by credit card, debit card, or check.
Online renewal through the Secretary of State website
Online renewal is the simplest path if your license expired fewer than five years ago and your personal information hasn't changed. Go to the Secretary of State website and select the driver's license renewal option. You'll need your current or expired license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start. The system will pull up your existing information and ask you to confirm it's correct.
Once you've confirmed your information, you'll choose your license type — either a four-year license for $30 or an eight-year license for $95. You'll then upload a new photo or use the photo from your current license. After you pay by credit card or debit card, you're done. The Secretary of State will mail your new license to the address on file, which typically arrives within two to three weeks.
If the online system won't let you complete your renewal, it usually means your license has been expired for more than five years or there's a flag on your record. In that case, you'll need to renew in person or by mail.
Mail-in renewal with a paper form
Mail-in renewal works if your license expired within five years and your information hasn't changed. read the driver's license renewal form from the Secretary of State website, or call 217-782-6900 to request one by mail. Fill out the form completely, including your name, date of birth, address, and license number.
Include a check or money order for $30 (four-year license) or $95 (eight-year license) made payable to the Secretary of State. You'll also need to include a new photo — a color photo that meets the state's requirements (head and shoulders, plain background, taken within the last six months). Mail the completed form, payment, and photo to the address listed on the form.
Processing takes four to six weeks from the time the Secretary of State receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to you after approval. Because mail delivery adds time on both ends, this method is slower than online renewal and should only be used if you don't have internet access or prefer not to renew online.
In-person renewal at a Secretary of State office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, or if you need to change your name, address, or other personal information. Find your nearest Secretary of State office on the state website and check its hours — many offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have extended hours on certain days.
Bring your expired license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment for the renewal fee. If you're changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You'll also need to have a new photo taken at the office, which is included in the renewal fee.
Wait times vary by location and time of day. Arriving early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon typically means shorter lines. After you complete the renewal, your new license will be mailed to you within two to three weeks — you cannot take it with you the same day.
What happens if your license has been expired for a very long time
If your Illinois license expired more than five years ago, the Secretary of State treats it as a new license rather than a renewal. This means you'll need to renew in person, bring proof of your Social Security number and date of birth, and may need to pass a vision test. The process is the same as renewing in person at a Secretary of State office, but the staff will follow the new-license checklist instead of the renewal checklist.
You'll still pay the standard renewal fee ($30 for four years or $95 for eight years), not a new-license fee. The main difference is that you cannot use the online or mail-in routes — in-person is your only option.
Fees and payment methods
A four-year Illinois driver's license costs $30 to renew. An eight-year license costs $95. These are the standard fees for all renewal methods — online, mail-in, and in-person.
Online and in-person renewals accept credit cards and debit cards. Mail-in renewals require a check or money order. Do not send cash by mail. If you're renewing in person, some offices may accept other payment methods, so call ahead if you have questions about what they take.
Timeline: when to expect your new license
Online renewal is the fastest: your new license arrives within two to three weeks of approval. Mail-in renewal takes longer because the Secretary of State must receive your envelope, process it, and then mail your license — expect four to six weeks total. In-person renewal also takes two to three weeks after you visit the office, since your license is mailed to you afterward.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, your expired license is still valid for 30 days after you submit your renewal request. This grace period applies whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. After 30 days, you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired license while I wait for my new one?
Yes, for 30 days after you submit your renewal request. This grace period applies to all renewal methods — online, mail-in, and in-person. After 30 days, you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives in the mail.
What if I moved and my address changed since my license was issued?
If you're renewing online or by mail, you can update your address during the renewal process. If you're renewing in person, bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days) and the staff will update it for you. Your new license will be mailed to your new address.
Do I need a new photo for online renewal?
No. During online renewal, you can use the photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you can upload one, but it's not required. For mail-in renewal, you must include a new photo. For in-person renewal, a new photo is taken at the office.
What if my name changed since I got my license?
You must renew in person if your name has changed. Bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The staff will update your name and issue a new license with the correct name on it.
Can I renew my license if it's suspended or revoked?
No. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the Secretary of State to find out the status of your license and what you need to do to restore it.