What the Illinois Secretary of State License Lookup Tool Does
The Illinois Secretary of State runs a free online tool where you can check the status of your driver's license or ID card in real time. You 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 is the official source — it's the same database that police officers and employers check.
The lookup tool does not show you your full license record or your driving history. It shows only your current license status. If you need your complete driving record — including violations, accidents, or points — you'll need to order that separately through the Secretary of State's office.
You can access this tool from any computer or phone with internet. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
Key Takeaways
- The Illinois Secretary of State's online lookup tool is free and shows whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired.
- You need only your driver's license number and date of birth to search.
- The tool does not show your full driving record — only your current license status.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, the lookup will not tell you why; you must contact the Secretary of State's office directly for that information.
- The lookup works for both driver's licenses and Illinois ID cards.
How to Use the Secretary of State's License Lookup
Go to the Illinois Secretary of State website and find the "Driver License Status Lookup" tool. (A direct link is usually available under the "Driver Services" section.) Click on it to open the search page.
Enter your driver's license number exactly as it appears on your card. Then enter your date of birth in the format the page requests — usually MM/DD/YYYY. Click the search button. The system will return your status within seconds.
The results page will show one of these statuses: Valid, Suspended, Revoked, Expired, or Not Found. If your license shows as "Not Found," double-check that you entered your license number and birth date correctly. If you entered them correctly and still see "Not Found," contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services office by phone or visit a local facility in person.
What Each License Status Means
Valid means your license is current and you are legally allowed to drive in Illinois. Your license has not expired and is not under any suspension or revocation.
Expired means your license passed its expiration date. You cannot legally drive until you renew it. Renewal can usually be done online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility, depending on how long it has been expired and whether you need a new photo.
Suspended means your driving privileges have been temporarily taken away. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical conditions reported to the state, or accumulating too many points from violations. A suspension can last anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the reason. You cannot drive legally during a suspension, and you must complete specific steps to have it lifted.
Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled by the state. Revocation is more serious than suspension and usually results from serious violations like multiple DUIs or reckless driving convictions. You cannot drive, and you must wait a set period (often years) before you can reapply for a license.
Not Found typically means the system could not match your information to a record. This can happen if you entered your license number or birth date incorrectly, if your license was issued very recently and has not yet entered the system, or if there is a data entry error in the Secretary of State's records.
What to Do If Your License Is Suspended or Revoked
The lookup tool will tell you that your license is suspended or revoked, but it will not tell you why. You must contact the Illinois Secretary of State's Driver Services office to learn the reason and what you need to do to fix it. Call their customer service line or visit a local facility in person with your ID.
Different reasons for suspension require different steps to restore your license. For example, if your license was suspended because of unpaid fines, you may need to pay those fines. If it was suspended for medical reasons, you may need to provide a doctor's statement. If it was suspended for accumulating points, you may need to wait out the suspension period or take a defensive driving course. The Secretary of State's office will explain exactly what applies to your situation.
Do not drive while your license is suspended or revoked. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a separate criminal offense in Illinois and carries its own penalties, including fines and possible jail time.
Checking Your Full Driving Record
The status lookup shows only whether your license is valid or not. If you need to see your complete driving record — including all violations, accidents, points, and suspensions — you must order an official driving record from the Secretary of State.
You can order a record online through the Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at a local facility. There is a small fee, usually between $5 and $10 depending on how you order. The record typically arrives within one to two weeks if you order by mail, or when ready if you order online and print it yourself.
Your driving record is useful if you are explore for a job that requires a background check, if you are disputing a violation, or if you need proof of your driving history for insurance or legal purposes.
When to Use the Lookup Tool vs. Other Options
Use the free online lookup tool if you straightforward need to know whether your license is currently valid or if there is a problem you need to address. It is fast and gives you an when ready answer.
Order your full driving record if an employer, insurance company, or court has asked for it, or if you need to see details about specific violations or accidents. You cannot get this information from the status lookup.
Call or visit the Secretary of State's office in person if your license is suspended or revoked and you need to understand why, or if the lookup tool returned "Not Found" and you know your information is correct. A staff member can look into your account and explain what happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up someone else's license status?
No. The lookup tool requires your own driver's license number and date of birth. You cannot search for another person's license status using this tool. If you need information about another driver for legal reasons, you must contact the Secretary of State's office directly and explain why you need it.
What if the lookup says my license is valid but I was told it is suspended?
Contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services office when ready. There may be a delay in the system, or the suspension may have been processed but not yet updated in the online tool. Call their customer service line or visit a local facility to confirm your actual status before you drive.
How often is the lookup tool updated?
The system is updated regularly, but there can be a delay of a few days between when the Secretary of State processes a suspension, revocation, or renewal and when it appears in the online lookup. If you just renewed your license or believe a change should have been made, allow a few business days before checking again.
Do I need to create an account to use the lookup tool?
No. The lookup tool is free and does not require you to create an account or log in. You straightforward enter your license number and birth date on the search page.
What if I lost my driver's license number?
You cannot use the lookup tool without your license number. Contact the Secretary of State's office and provide your full name and date of birth; they can look up your license number for you. Then you can use the online tool.