Check your Illinois license status through the Secretary of State website or by phone
The Illinois Secretary of State runs the system that holds your driver license information. You can look up your license status in two ways: through their online portal or by calling their customer service line. Both methods give you the same information — whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired — and take just a few minutes.
You will need your driver license number or your date of birth and last name to search. The online method is faster if you have your license number handy. The phone method works if you prefer speaking to someone or if you do not have internet access.
Key Takeaways
- The Illinois Secretary of State website lets you check your license status when ready without creating an account or logging in.
- You can also call the Secretary of State customer service line at 217-782-6900 during business hours to speak with someone about your status.
- A valid Illinois license shows no suspensions, revocations, or expiration — you can drive legally with it.
- If your status shows suspended or revoked, you cannot drive until you complete the steps required to restore it.
- Expired licenses can sometimes be renewed online, but you may need to visit a facility in person depending on how long it has been expired.
How to check your status online through the Secretary of State
Go to the Illinois Secretary of State website and find the "Driver License Status" lookup tool. This tool is free and does not require you to create an account. Enter either your driver license number or your date of birth and last name, then click search.
The system will display your current status within seconds. It will tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. If your license is suspended or revoked, the results will usually show the reason — for example, unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or medical reasons. Write down or take a screenshot of this information, because you will need it if you have to restore your license.
The online tool is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can check your status at any time, even outside normal business hours.
How to check your status by phone
Call the Illinois Secretary of State customer service line at 217-782-6900. This number connects you to a representative who can look up your license status while you wait. Have your driver license number or your date of birth and last name ready when you call.
Customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. The line is closed on state holidays. If you call outside these hours, you will reach a recording with information about when to call back.
Speaking to a representative is useful if you have questions about why your license was suspended or what you need to do next. They can also tell you whether you are may be able to access to restore your license or if additional steps are required first.
What different license statuses mean
Valid means your license is current and you can drive legally. Your license has not expired and there are no suspensions or revocations on your record.
Expired means your license passed its expiration date. You cannot drive with an expired license. You will need to renew it through the Secretary of State. Renewal can sometimes be done online if your license expired less than a certain time ago, but older expirations may require you to visit a facility in person.
Suspended means your driving privilege has been temporarily taken away. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, or medical reasons. A suspension is not permanent — you can restore your license once you meet the conditions set by the Secretary of State.
Revoked means your driving privilege has been permanently cancelled. Revocations are more serious than suspensions and usually result from serious violations like DUI convictions or habitual traffic offender status. Restoring a revoked license is possible but requires meeting strict requirements and often takes longer than a suspension.
What to do if your license is suspended or revoked
If your status shows suspended, contact the Secretary of State to find out what you must do to restore it. The reason for the suspension determines the next steps. If it is due to unpaid fines, you will need to pay them. If it is due to failure to appear in court, you may need to contact the court and resolve the case. If it is medical, you may need to provide a doctor's statement.
Once you have completed the required steps, you can request reinstatement through the Secretary of State. Some reinstatements can be done by mail or online, while others require you to visit a facility in person. The customer service line can tell you which method applies to your situation.
If your status shows revoked, the process is more involved. You will need to contact the Secretary of State to understand the specific requirements for your case. Revocations often require waiting periods, completion of a remedial driving course, or other conditions before you can explore for reinstatement.
What to do if your license is expired
An expired license cannot be used for driving. You must renew it before you can legally drive again. Illinois offers online renewal for some drivers, but may be able to access depends on how long your license has been expired and your age.
If you are under 21 or if your license expired more than a certain time ago, you will need to renew in person at a Secretary of State facility. You will need to bring documents like your Social Security number, proof of residency, and your expired license. Check the Secretary of State website for the full list of required documents and to find a facility near you.
If you are 21 or older and your license expired recently, you may be able to renew online. The online process is faster and does not require a visit to a facility. You can renew online through the Secretary of State website if you meet the requirements.
Understanding your driving record versus your license status
Your license status and your driving record are two different things. Your license status tells you whether you are allowed to drive right now — valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. Your driving record shows your history of traffic violations, accidents, and points accumulated over time.
You can have a valid license and still have violations on your record. You can also have a suspended license because of violations that appear on your record. The Secretary of State status check tells you your current driving privilege. If you need to see your full driving record, including all violations and points, you can request that separately from the Secretary of State.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check my license status?
You do not need to check regularly unless you are waiting for a suspension to be lifted or a renewal to be processed. Check your status if you have recently paid fines, completed a court requirement, or submitted a renewal process. You should also check before a long drive to make sure your license is still valid.
What if the website says my license is suspended but I did not know about it?
Suspensions can happen without a notice reaching you if your address on file is outdated. Call the Secretary of State customer service line to find out the reason and what you need to do to restore it. If the suspension is due to unpaid fines or a court issue, contact the court or the agency that issued the fine to resolve it.
Can I drive if my license is suspended while I am waiting to restore it?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension. Wait until your license status shows valid again before you drive.
Does checking my license status affect my driving record or insurance?
No. Looking up your license status does not change anything on your record or notify your insurance company. It is a straightforward information lookup with no side effects.
What if I cannot reach the Secretary of State by phone?
Use the online status check tool instead — it is available 24/7 and gives you the same information. If you have a question that requires speaking to someone, try calling during a different time or on a different day. You can also visit a Secretary of State facility in person if you need to speak with someone face-to-face.