Check your Illinois license status through the Secretary of State website
The Illinois Secretary of State runs the official system for checking your driver's license status. You can look up whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired without visiting an office or calling a phone line. The lookup tool is free and available 24 hours a day on the Secretary of State's website.
To use the system, you will need your driver's license number and your date of birth. The tool returns your current license status when ready. If your license has a hold, suspension, or revocation on it, the system will tell you the reason and, in some cases, what you need to do to resolve it.
The Secretary of State also maintains a separate system called the Cyberdriveillinois.com portal, which is the official state website for all driver and vehicle services. This is where you access the license lookup tool, renew your license online, and check on other driving-related records.
Key Takeaways
- The Illinois Secretary of State's website lets you check your license status using your license number and date of birth, with results returned when ready.
- A suspended license in Illinois usually results from unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or failure to appear in court, and the system tells you the reason.
- If your license is revoked, you cannot drive legally in Illinois or most other states until the revocation is lifted and you meet reinstatement requirements.
- The lookup tool is free and available around the clock; you do not need to call the Secretary of State's office or visit in person to check your status.
- If the online system does not show your license or shows an error, contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services division by phone or mail to verify your record.
What the lookup tool tells you about your license
When you search your license number, the system returns one of several possible statuses. A valid license means you can drive legally in Illinois and most other states. An expired license means your renewal date has passed; you cannot drive on an expired license, but renewal is usually straightforward if you have not had other violations.
A suspended license means your driving privilege has been temporarily removed, usually because of unpaid fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, or failure to maintain auto insurance. The suspension can be lifted once you resolve the underlying issue. A revoked license is more serious: it means your driving privilege has been permanently removed by the state, and you must meet specific reinstatement requirements before you can drive again.
The lookup tool also shows if your license has a hold placed on it. A hold means another agency (such as the court system or the Department of Human Services) has requested that the Secretary of State prevent you from renewing or obtaining a license until that agency's issue is resolved. Holds are common when child support is owed or when you have failed to appear in court.
How to access the Illinois Secretary of State lookup system
Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and look for the "Driver License Lookup" or "Check Your Driver License Status" link. The exact wording changes occasionally, but it is always on the main page under driver services. Click the link and you will be taken to a search form.
Enter your Illinois driver's license number (the number on the front of your card) and your date of birth in the format the form requests. Double-check both entries for typos, because the system will return no results if either one is incorrect. Click "Search" or "Look Up" and wait for the results page to load.
The results page will display your name, license number, and current status. If your license is suspended or revoked, the page will usually show the reason and the date the suspension or revocation took effect. Some pages also show what you need to do to resolve the issue, though you may need to contact the Secretary of State directly for detailed instructions.
What to do if your license is suspended
A suspension is temporary. The first step is to understand why your license was suspended. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, or failure to maintain liability insurance on a vehicle registered in your name. The lookup system may show the reason on the results page.
Once you know the reason, contact the agency responsible for the suspension. If it is unpaid fines, contact the court that issued the ticket. If it is child support, contact the Illinois Department of Human Services. If it is failure to appear, contact the court where you were supposed to appear. If it is insurance-related, contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services division directly.
After you resolve the underlying issue (pay the fine, appear in court, arrange a payment plan, or provide proof of insurance), the suspending agency will notify the Secretary of State. Your license status should update within a few business days. You can check the lookup tool again to confirm your license is no longer suspended before you drive.
What to do if your license is revoked
A revocation is permanent until you meet the state's reinstatement requirements. Revocations usually result from multiple DUI convictions, driving with a suspended license, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. The Secretary of State's website lists the specific requirements for your situation, but you will likely need to wait a minimum period (often one to three years), pay a reinstatement fee, and pass a written test or driving test.
Contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services division by phone or mail to request the exact reinstatement requirements for your case. The office can tell you when you become may be able to access to reapply, what documents you need, and what tests you must pass. Some people work with a lawyer during this process, though it is not required.
If the lookup tool does not find your license
If you enter your license number and date of birth correctly but the system returns no results or an error message, your record may not be in the online database yet, or there may be a typo in your entry. Try searching again with a different format for your date of birth (for example, MM/DD/YYYY instead of MM-DD-YYYY).
If the system still does not find your license, contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services division directly. Call 217-782-6900 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time) or mail a written request to the address listed on the Secretary of State's website. Have your full name, date of birth, and license number ready when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. The lookup tool is designed for you to check your own license only. You cannot search another person's license number. If you need information about another driver's record (for example, as part of a legal case), you must request it through the court system or hire a lawyer to obtain it on your behalf.
How often should I check my license status?
Check your status if you have received a notice from the court, the Secretary of State, or another agency, or if you are unsure whether your license is current. You do not need to check it regularly if your license is valid and you have no outstanding fines or legal issues. If you have paid a fine or resolved a suspension, check the system a few days later to confirm the status has updated.
What if my license shows suspended but I do not know why?
Contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services division at 217-782-6900 and provide your license number. The office can tell you the reason for the suspension and which agency is responsible. From there, you can contact that agency directly to resolve the issue. Do not drive while your license is suspended, as you can face additional fines and criminal charges.
Does the lookup tool show my driving record or traffic tickets?
No. The lookup tool shows only your license status (valid, expired, suspended, or revoked). It does not show your driving record, points, or individual tickets. To request a copy of your driving record, you must submit a separate request through the Secretary of State's website or by mail, and there is a fee for this service.
Can I renew my license online if it is expired?
You can renew online if your license is expired but not suspended or revoked, and if you meet other requirements (such as passing a vision test within the past year). If your license is suspended or revoked, you must resolve that issue before you can renew. Use the lookup tool first to confirm your status, then visit the renewal section of cyberdriveillinois.com.