Check your Illinois license status through the Secretary of State website
The Illinois Secretary of State runs an online tool where you can look up your driver's license or ID card status without calling or visiting an office. You go to the Secretary of State website, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and the system tells you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired.
This tool works for both driver's licenses and ID cards issued by Illinois. It shows your current status but does not show the reason behind a suspension or revocation — you may need to contact the Secretary of State directly for that detail. The lookup is free and takes less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- The Illinois Secretary of State website has a free online lookup tool where you enter your license number and birth date to see your current status.
- The tool shows whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired, but does not explain why a suspension or revocation occurred.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, you will need to contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services department by phone or mail to find out the reason and what steps to take next.
- The online lookup works 24 hours a day and gives you results when ready, with no wait time.
What information you need to look up your status
You need two pieces of information: your Illinois driver's license number and your date of birth. Your license number is printed on the front of your card. Your date of birth should be your full birth date in the format the website requests.
If you do not have your license number handy, you can still contact the Secretary of State by phone, but the online tool is faster if you have the number available. Keep your license card nearby when you use the lookup tool so you can enter the information correctly.
Step-by-step: using the Secretary of State lookup tool
Go to the Illinois Secretary of State website and find the "Driver License Status Inquiry" tool. This is usually located under the Driver Services section. Click on the link to open the lookup page.
Enter your driver's license number in the first field. Enter your date of birth in the second field, using the format shown on the page (usually MM/DD/YYYY). Click the "Submit" or "Search" button. The system will display your license status within seconds.
If the tool cannot find your information, double-check that you entered your license number and birth date correctly. Common mistakes include transposing numbers in your license number or entering the wrong year of birth. Try again with the information from your physical license card.
What the status results mean
Valid means your license is current and you are allowed to drive. Expired means your license passed its expiration date and you need to renew it before driving legally. Suspended means your driving privileges have been temporarily taken away — usually for reasons like unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or medical reasons — and you cannot drive until the suspension is lifted. Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled and you will need to go through the full licensing process again to drive legally.
If your status shows suspended or revoked, the online tool does not tell you why. You will need to contact the Secretary of State Driver Services department directly to learn the reason and what you must do to restore your driving privileges.
Contacting the Secretary of State if you need more information
If your status is suspended or revoked, or if you need details about why your license was affected, call the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services line at 217-782-6900. You can also visit a Secretary of State office in person — there are locations throughout Illinois. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready when you call.
If you are calling about a suspension, ask what caused it and what steps you need to take to have it lifted. Different suspensions require different actions — some require paying fines, others require completing a course or providing medical documentation. The staff member can tell you exactly what applies to your situation.
You can also mail a written request to the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Division, 501 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62756. Include your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Mail requests take longer than phone calls, usually one to two weeks for a response.
When to check your status before renewing
Check your license status before you attempt to renew online or in person. If your license is suspended or revoked, the renewal system will reject your request, and you will need to resolve the suspension or revocation first. Checking ahead saves you time and tells you whether you can renew or need to take other steps.
If you are renewing by mail or online and your status check shows your license is valid, you can proceed with renewal. If it shows expired but not suspended, you can still renew — expiration alone does not prevent renewal, though you may face a late fee depending on how long it has been expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check someone else's license status online?
No, the online lookup tool requires the license holder's information and is designed for personal use only. If you need to verify someone else's license status for a legitimate reason, contact the Secretary of State directly and explain why you need the information.
What if the online tool says my license is suspended but I did not receive a notice?
Call the Secretary of State Driver Services line right away at 217-782-6900. Suspensions are usually mailed to your address on file, but mail can be delayed or lost. The staff can tell you what caused the suspension and how to fix it.
Does checking my status online affect my license in any way?
No, looking up your status does not change anything about your license. It is a read-only tool that straightforward shows you information the Secretary of State already has on record.
How often should I check my license status?
You do not need to check regularly unless you are waiting for a renewal to process or you know there may be an issue. Check before renewing, before a long trip, or if you receive a notice from the Secretary of State.
What if my license status shows valid but I cannot renew online?
Contact the Secretary of State to find out why the renewal system rejected your request. Sometimes there are holds or issues that do not show up in the basic status lookup. The staff can see your full record and explain what is blocking renewal.