Renew Your Illinois License Online, by Mail, or In Person
You can renew your Illinois driver's license through three routes: online at sos.illinois.gov, by mail, or at a Secretary of State facility. Online renewal is the fastest and most common option — it takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no trip. In-person renewal at a facility is necessary only if you cannot renew online or by mail, or if your license has been expired for more than five years.
Your renewal window opens 180 days before your license expires and closes on the expiration date itself. You cannot renew early outside this window. If your license has already expired, you can still renew, but the process changes slightly — expired licenses more than five years old require an in-person visit and a new photo.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at sos.illinois.gov is available if your license expires within the next 180 days and you have not had a name change, address change, or vision correction change since your last renewal.
- Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks and works for most drivers, but you must submit your current license and a completed process form.
- In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than five years ago, or if you have had a name or address change that you cannot update online.
- Your new license will have the same number as your current one, and you can drive legally on your current license until the new one arrives.
- Illinois licenses are valid for four years for drivers under 69 and eight years for drivers 69 and older.
Online Renewal: The Fastest Option
To renew online, go to sos.illinois.gov and select the driver's license renewal option. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against state records and ask you to confirm your address and vision correction status.
Online renewal is not available if you have changed your name, changed your address, or changed your vision correction status (such as getting glasses or contacts) since your last renewal. If any of these explore to you, you must renew by mail or in person. You also cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, revoked, or expired for more than five years.
Once you complete the online form and pay the renewal fee (currently $30 for a four-year license or $60 for an eight-year license), you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Mail Renewal: No Trip Required
To renew by mail, read and print the process for Renewal of Driver's License and Identification Card (Form DL 500) from sos.illinois.gov. Complete the form, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form.
Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the Secretary of State receives your process. To avoid delays, make sure your handwriting is legible, your signature matches the one on your current license, and your check is made out to the Secretary of State. Do not send cash.
Mail renewal works for most drivers, but you cannot use it if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you have had a name change, or if you need a new photo for any reason. If your address has changed, you can update it on the form itself, and the new address will appear on your renewed license.
In-Person Renewal at a Secretary of State Facility
Visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility if your license expired more than five years ago, if you have had a name change since your last renewal, or if you cannot renew online or by mail. Bring your current license (or expired license if you no longer have the current one), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You will also have your photo taken at the facility.
Processing time at a facility is usually 15 to 30 minutes. You will pay the renewal fee at the counter and receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Find your nearest facility and check hours at sos.illinois.gov.
What Happens If Your License Has Expired
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it using any of the three methods above. The process is the same, and your new license will have the same number as your expired one.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Secretary of State facility. You cannot use online or mail renewal. Bring the same documents you would bring for a name change renewal: your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address. You will have a new photo taken.
Renewal Fees and License Validity
The renewal fee depends on your age and how long you want your license to be valid. Drivers under 69 can choose a four-year license for $30 or an eight-year license for $60. Drivers 69 and older receive a four-year license for $30 (no eight-year option). These fees are current as of this writing but may change — check sos.illinois.gov to confirm before you pay.
Your new license will have the same number as your current one. The expiration date will be four or eight years from the date you renew, depending on which term you chose. You can drive legally on your current license until your new one arrives in the mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?
No. You must resolve the suspension or revocation first by paying any outstanding fines, completing required courses, or meeting other conditions set by the Secretary of State. Contact the Driver Services Division at (217) 782-6900 to find out what you need to do. Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew normally.
What if I moved and my address on my license is wrong?
If you are renewing by mail, you can update your address on the process form itself. If you are renewing online, the system will ask you to confirm your current address — if it is wrong, you cannot complete the online renewal and must use mail or in-person renewal instead. In person, bring proof of your new address and the address will be updated on your renewed license.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your permanent license arrives by mail within that time. You can drive on your current license or temporary license until the new one arrives.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
No, unless you are renewing in person at a facility. Online and mail renewals use your photo from your current license. If you renew in person, a new photo is taken automatically as part of the process.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew by mail or online without your current license number. You will need to visit a Secretary of State facility in person and bring proof of your identity, Social Security number, and address. The facility will issue you a replacement license with the same number, and you can renew it at the same time if it is within your renewal window.