What a hardship license is and who can get one in Illinois
A hardship license in Illinois is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive to specific places — usually work, school, medical appointments, or court — even though your license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other purpose. Illinois calls this a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) if you're required to install an ignition interlock device, or a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) if you're not.
You can seek a hardship license if your suspension is for certain reasons: a DUI conviction, accumulating too many traffic violations, driving with a suspended license, or failing to pay traffic fines or child support. Not every suspension qualifies. If your license was suspended for medical reasons or because you failed a vision test, you cannot get a hardship license — you must resolve the underlying issue first.
The key requirement is that you must show the Secretary of State's office that you have a genuine need to drive for one of the permitted purposes, and that you have no other reasonable way to get there. straightforward wanting to drive will not work.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois offers two types of hardship licenses: a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) for most suspensions, and a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) if you must use an ignition interlock.
- You must file a petition with the Secretary of State's office in the county where you live, along with proof of your need to drive and documentation of the hardship.
- Approved hardship licenses come with strict conditions: you can drive only to the places listed on your permit, during the hours specified, and you must carry the permit at all times while driving.
- The Secretary of State can deny your petition if you have multiple suspensions, a recent DUI conviction, or if the office believes you have other transportation options.
- You will pay a fee to obtain the hardship license, and the permit is valid only for the length of your suspension or until the Secretary of State revokes it.
Who qualifies and who does not
You can petition for a hardship license if your suspension is for a DUI, reckless driving, accumulation of violations, driving with a suspended license, or failure to pay fines or child support. You must also show that you have a legitimate reason to drive — employment, education, medical treatment, or court-ordered obligations are the main ones Illinois recognizes.
You do not may have access to if your suspension is for medical reasons, vision failure, or if you have been convicted of a felony involving a vehicle in the past ten years. The Secretary of State will also likely deny your petition if you have multiple active suspensions, if you were convicted of a DUI within the past five years, or if the office determines you have reasonable alternative transportation available.
If you are under 18, the rules are stricter. You may not get a hardship license for a DUI suspension at all. For other suspensions, you will need a parent or guardian to co-sign your petition and agree to supervise your driving.
Steps to petition for a hardship license
Start by obtaining the petition form from the Secretary of State's office. You can read the Petition for Restricted Driving Permit or Petition for Monitoring Device Driving Permit from the Illinois Secretary of State website, or pick one up in person at your local driver services facility. The form you need depends on whether you are required to install an ignition interlock device.
Fill out the petition completely. You will need to list the specific places you need to drive to (your employer's address, your school, your doctor's office), the days and hours you need to drive, and the reason your license was suspended. Be specific — "work" is not enough; you must provide the business name and address.
Gather supporting documents. Bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating that you work there, the hours you work, and that no other transportation is available. If you are in school, bring a letter from the school confirming your enrollment and class schedule. If you have medical appointments, bring a letter from your doctor or medical provider. If you are required to attend court or probation, bring documentation of those obligations.
Submit your petition to the Secretary of State's office in the county where you live. You can mail it, deliver it in person, or file it online through the Illinois Secretary of State's eDriving portal if you have an account. Include the filing fee, which varies but is typically between $50 and $100. Check the current fee on the Secretary of State website before you file.
Wait for a decision. The Secretary of State typically responds within two to four weeks. If your petition is approved, you will receive notice and instructions on how to pick up your hardship license. If it is denied, the notice will explain why, and you may file a new petition if your circumstances change.
What you can and cannot do with a hardship license
A hardship license is not a regular driver's license. It comes with strict conditions printed on the permit itself. You can drive only to the places listed — if your permit says you can drive to work and medical appointments, you cannot stop at a grocery store on the way. You can drive only during the hours specified — if your permit says 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., you cannot drive at night.
You must carry your hardship license with you every time you drive. If you are pulled over and cannot produce it, you will be cited for driving with a suspended license, even though you have the permit. You must also obey all traffic laws. A single traffic violation can result in the Secretary of State revoking your hardship license and extending your suspension.
If you have a Monitoring Device Driving Permit, you must also have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle. You cannot drive any other vehicle. The device will lock your ignition if it detects alcohol on your breath, and you will be responsible for all installation and maintenance costs.
Ignition interlock requirements for DUI suspensions
If your suspension is for a DUI conviction, Illinois requires you to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle you drive. This device measures your breath alcohol level before the engine will start. If alcohol is detected, the car will not start.
You must have the device installed before you can obtain a Monitoring Device Driving Permit. The installation must be done at a certified vendor — the Secretary of State maintains a list of approved installers on its website. Installation typically costs $100 to $200, and monthly monitoring fees range from $50 to $100. You pay these costs yourself.
The device will remain in your vehicle for the entire length of your suspension, and sometimes longer depending on your conviction. You are responsible for keeping it in working order and for paying all associated fees. If you tamper with the device, remove it, or fail to pay monitoring fees, your hardship license will be revoked and your suspension will be extended.
What happens if you violate the terms of your hardship license
Driving outside the permitted places, times, or purposes is a violation. So is driving without the permit in your possession, or driving a different vehicle than the one listed on your permit. Any of these violations can result in the Secretary of State revoking your hardship license when ready.
If your hardship license is revoked, your original suspension resumes, and you may face additional penalties. You may also be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Illinois. A second or subsequent offense carries jail time and higher fines.
Traffic violations while driving on a hardship license are taken seriously. Even a minor ticket can trigger revocation. If you receive a citation, contact the Secretary of State's office right away to report it and ask whether it will affect your permit status.
How long a hardship license lasts
Your hardship license is valid only for the length of your suspension. If your suspension is for six months, your hardship license expires after six months. If your suspension is for one year, the permit expires after one year. The expiration date will be printed on your permit.
Once your suspension ends and your license is reinstated, your hardship license is no longer valid. You will need to explore for a regular license renewal or reinstatement, depending on how long your license has been suspended.
If the Secretary of State revokes your hardship license before your suspension ends, you lose the right to drive for any purpose until your suspension is lifted. You cannot file a new petition for a hardship license until at least 30 days have passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to places other than work if I have a hardship license?
Only if those places are listed on your permit. The Secretary of State will approve driving to work, school, medical appointments, court, probation, and similar essential places. Grocery stores, restaurants, and social visits are not approved purposes. If you need to drive somewhere not on your permit, you must file a new petition to amend it.
What if my employer says I cannot work if I cannot drive?
Bring a letter from your employer stating that you need to drive as part of your job and that no alternative transportation is available. This is the strongest argument for a hardship license. If your job requires driving and you have no other way to get there, the Secretary of State is more likely to approve your petition.
Do I have to install an ignition interlock if my suspension is not for a DUI?
No. Ignition interlock is required only for DUI-related suspensions. If your suspension is for accumulating violations, reckless driving, or failure to pay fines, you can petition for a regular Restricted Driving Permit without the device.
Can I get a hardship license if I have multiple suspensions?
It is much harder. The Secretary of State views multiple suspensions as a sign that you are a high-risk driver and may deny your petition. If you do have multiple suspensions, explain in your petition why each one occurred and what you have done to address the underlying issues.
What if the Secretary of State denies my petition?
The denial letter will explain the reason. Common reasons are lack of documented need, availability of alternative transportation, or too many violations on your record. You can file a new petition if your circumstances change — for example, if you get a job that requires driving, or if you arrange for an ignition interlock installation for a DUI suspension.