What the Illinois Secretary of State Requires
To get your first driver's license in Illinois, you need to bring six specific things to a Secretary of State facility: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, a completed process form, your learner's permit (if you have one), and payment for the license fee. The Secretary of State does not accept online applications for first-time licenses — you must appear in person at a facility in your county.
Illinois divides the process into two paths depending on your age. If you are under 18, you must hold a learner's permit for a set period and pass a road test before you can get a full license. If you are 18 or older, you can go straight to a written test and road test without the learner's permit step, though you may still choose to get one.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring six documents to a Secretary of State facility: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, a completed process (DL 100), your learner's permit, and payment for the license fee.
- Proof of identity can be a passport, birth certificate, or state ID; proof of Social Security can be a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form.
- Proof of residency must show your current address and can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days.
- If you are under 18, you must hold a learner's permit for at least 30 days before taking the road test; if you are 18 or older, you can skip the learner's permit and go straight to testing.
- The written test covers traffic laws and road signs; the road test is conducted by a Secretary of State examiner at a facility in your county.
Documents You Must Bring: Identity, Social Security, and Residency
The Secretary of State requires three categories of proof. For identity, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a state ID card, a military ID, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The document must not be expired, and a birth certificate must have a raised seal or be certified by the vital records office that issued it.
For Social Security number verification, bring one of these: your Social Security card, a W-2 form from your employer, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a benefit statement from Social Security. The document must show your full name and full Social Security number.
For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 30 days that shows your current Illinois address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, or a government-issued document with your address. A lease must be signed by both you and your landlord.
The process Form and How to Complete It
You must complete the DL 100 form before you arrive at the Secretary of State facility. You can read it from the Secretary of State website or pick up a copy at any facility. The form asks for your name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, and information about any medical conditions that might affect your driving.
Fill out the form in black or blue ink and bring it with you. Do not leave sections blank — if a question does not explore to you, write "N/A". If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line and write the correction above it; do not use white-out. Bring the original form, not a photocopy.
The Learner's Permit Requirement for Drivers Under 18
If you are under 18, you cannot go straight to a full license. You must first get a learner's permit, hold it for at least 30 days, and then pass a road test. The learner's permit lets you practice driving with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old and sitting in the front passenger seat.
To get a learner's permit, bring the same six documents to a Secretary of State facility and pass a written test on traffic laws and road signs. The written test has 35 questions; you must answer at least 28 correctly to pass. Once you pass, you receive your permit on the spot. You can then practice driving and schedule your road test after 30 days have passed.
If you are 18 or older, you do not need a learner's permit. You can go straight to the written test and road test. However, some people choose to get a permit anyway to practice before taking the road test.
The Written Test: What to Study and How It Works
The written test covers Illinois traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The test has 35 multiple-choice questions. You have 30 minutes to complete it. You must answer at least 28 questions correctly — that is a score of 80 percent — to pass.
The Secretary of State publishes a free study guide called the Illinois Rules of the Road on its website. This guide covers everything on the test: speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking, lane changes, traffic signals, and what different road signs mean. You can read it online or read it as a PDF. Many people also study using the practice tests available on the Secretary of State website.
You take the written test at a Secretary of State facility on a computer. The test is offered in English and several other languages. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or come back another day.
The Road Test: What Happens and What You Need
After you pass the written test, you schedule a road test with a Secretary of State examiner. The road test takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The examiner sits in the passenger seat while you drive on public roads near the facility. You must follow traffic laws, respond correctly to the examiner's directions, and show that you can control the vehicle safely.
For the road test, bring your learner's permit (or your written test receipt if you are 18 or older), proof of insurance for the vehicle you are driving, and the vehicle itself. The vehicle must be registered in Illinois, have valid license plates, pass a safety inspection, and have working headlights, brake lights, turn signals, wipers, and mirrors. The examiner will check these before the test begins.
You must also bring a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old to the facility, though this person does not sit in the car during the test. If you fail the road test, you can retake it, but you must wait at least one week before scheduling another attempt.
License Fees and What You Receive
The cost of a driver's license in Illinois depends on the type and length of validity. A standard driver's license is valid for four years and costs $30. If you are 18 or older and want a license valid for eight years, the cost is $60. Bring a check, money order, or debit card to pay the fee — not all facilities accept credit cards, so call ahead to confirm.
When you pass your road test, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 30 days while the Secretary of State produces your plastic card. Your plastic license will arrive in the mail within two to three weeks. Keep the temporary license with you while you drive until the plastic card arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test and road test on the same day?
Yes, if you are 18 or older. You can take the written test in the morning and the road test in the afternoon at the same facility, as long as you pass the written test first. If you are under 18 with a learner's permit, you must wait at least 30 days between getting your permit and taking the road test.
What if I fail the written test?
You can retake it the same day or return another day. There is no waiting period between attempts. Each time you retake the test, you pay the test fee again. Most facilities allow you to retake the test within a few hours if you want to try again when ready.
Do I need to bring my Social Security card, or can I bring something else?
You do not need the card itself. Any document showing your full name and full Social Security number works — a W-2, 1099, tax return, or benefit statement. If you do not have any of these, contact the Secretary of State to ask about other options.
What happens if I move after I get my license?
You must update your address with the Secretary of State within 30 days of moving. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a facility. Updating your address online is free; by mail or in person, it costs $5.
Can someone else pick up my plastic license from the mail?
No. The plastic license is mailed to the address you provided on your process. Only you can open mail addressed to you. If you move before it arrives, update your address with the Secretary of State so it is forwarded to your new address.