How to know if your Illinois license is currently valid
Your Illinois driver's license is valid if it has not expired, been suspended, or been revoked. You can check the status of your license in three ways: online through the Illinois Secretary of State website, by phone, or in person at a Driver Services facility. The online method is fastest and shows your status within seconds.
To check online, go to cyberdriveillinois.com and select "Driver License/ID Card Status" under the Services section. You will need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, expired, suspended, or revoked, and if there are any holds on your record.
If you prefer not to check online, you can call the Illinois Secretary of State's Driver Services Division at 217-782-6900 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time). Have your license number ready. You can also visit any Driver Services facility in person with your license and ask staff to check your status.
Key Takeaways
- Check your Illinois license status online at cyberdriveillinois.com using your license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- A valid license means it has not expired, been suspended for unpaid tickets or child support, or been revoked for serious violations.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot legally drive in Illinois until the suspension or revocation is lifted.
- You can also call 217-782-6900 or visit a Driver Services facility in person to check your status if you do not want to check online.
What "valid" actually means for an Illinois license
A valid Illinois driver's license means you are legally permitted to drive on Illinois roads. Your license becomes invalid if it expires, is suspended, or is revoked. These are three different situations with different causes and different ways to fix them.
Expiration is the most common reason a license stops being valid. Illinois licenses are valid for four or eight years depending on your age and whether you renewed online or in person. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail about 30 days before your license expires. If you do not renew before the expiration date, your license is no longer valid for driving, though you can still use it as identification in some situations.
Suspension means your license is temporarily invalid. The Secretary of State can suspend your license for reasons like unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, or driving under the influence. A suspension has a set end date, after which your license becomes valid again if you have met all the conditions (such as paying fines or completing a required program).
Revocation means your license has been permanently canceled. This happens for serious violations like multiple DUI convictions or habitual traffic offender status. You cannot drive legally in Illinois until you go through a formal process to have your license reinstated, which may take months and require paying fees, completing programs, or both.
Why your license might be suspended in Illinois
Illinois suspends driver's licenses for several specific reasons, and the suspension stays in place until you resolve the underlying issue. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court for a traffic ticket, and accumulating too many points on your driving record.
The Secretary of State also suspends licenses for reasons outside of traffic violations. If you owe child support and fall behind on payments, the state can suspend your license. If you do not maintain the required auto insurance and are caught driving without it, your license will be suspended. If you are convicted of driving under the influence, your license is suspended automatically, and the length of the suspension depends on whether it is your first offense and whether you caused an accident.
When your license is suspended, you receive a notice in the mail explaining the reason and what you need to do to have it reinstated. You must take action — the suspension does not lift on its own just because time passes. For example, if your license is suspended because of unpaid fines, you must pay those fines. If it is suspended because you did not maintain insurance, you must get insurance and provide proof to the Secretary of State.
Steps to reinstate a suspended Illinois license
The process to reinstate your license depends on why it was suspended. In all cases, you must first resolve the underlying issue that caused the suspension.
If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or failure to appear in court, you must pay the fine or appear in court. Once you have done this, contact the court that issued the ticket and ask them to notify the Secretary of State that the matter is resolved. The Secretary of State will then lift the suspension, though it may take a few business days for the change to show in their system.
If your license was suspended for lack of insurance, you must obtain auto insurance and file an SR-22 form with the Secretary of State. The SR-22 is a certificate from your insurance company confirming that you have coverage. You can file it online at cyberdriveillinois.com or by mail. Once the Secretary of State receives and processes the SR-22, your suspension will be lifted.
If your license was suspended for a DUI conviction, you must complete a substance abuse evaluation and any required treatment program, pay reinstatement fees, and sometimes install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. The specific requirements depend on whether it is your first offense and other details of your case. Contact the Secretary of State or a DUI attorney to understand exactly what you need to do.
How to renew an expired Illinois license
If your license has straightforward expired and has not been suspended or revoked, you can renew it online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services facility. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes.
To renew online, go to cyberdriveillinois.com and select "Renew Your Driver License or ID Card." You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method. The state charges a renewal fee that varies based on how long you want your new license to be valid (four or eight years). You will receive your renewed license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you renew by mail, read the process form from the Secretary of State website, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order for the renewal fee. Processing takes longer by mail — usually 2 to 3 weeks. If you renew in person at a Driver Services facility, you can walk out with a temporary license the same day and receive your permanent license in the mail within a week.
What to do if your license status shows a hold or problem
Sometimes the online status check shows that your license has a "hold" on it, which means there is a problem preventing you from renewing or using your license. Common holds include unpaid child support, unpaid traffic fines, or a failure to appear in court.
If there is a hold on your license, you cannot renew it until the hold is lifted. You must contact the agency or court that placed the hold and resolve the issue. For example, if the hold is for unpaid child support, you must contact the Illinois Department of Human Services. If it is for unpaid traffic fines, you must contact the court that issued the ticket.
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, contact that agency or court and ask them to notify the Secretary of State that the hold should be removed. It may take several business days for the hold to disappear from the system. You can check your status again online after a few days to confirm the hold has been lifted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is expired but I have already mailed in a renewal?
No, you cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if you have submitted a renewal process. You can only drive once your new license arrives in the mail. If you are stopped by police while driving with an expired license, you can be ticketed. If you need to drive before your renewal arrives, renew in person at a Driver Services facility and ask for a temporary license.
How long does a suspension usually last in Illinois?
The length of a suspension depends on the reason. Suspensions for unpaid fines or failure to appear last until you resolve the issue, which could be days or months. Suspensions for DUI convictions last a minimum of six months for a first offense, but can be longer. Suspensions for accumulating too many points typically last three to six months. Check your status online or call the Secretary of State to find out the specific end date of your suspension.
What happens if I get pulled over and my license is suspended?
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Illinois. You can be arrested, fined, and have your vehicle impounded. Your license suspension will be extended, and you may face additional penalties. If your license is suspended, do not drive until it is reinstated.
Do I need to renew my license if it is suspended?
No, you cannot renew a suspended license. You must first have the suspension lifted by resolving the issue that caused it. Once the suspension is removed, your license will be valid again if it has not expired. If it has expired, you can then renew it.
Is there a grace period after my license expires?
Illinois does not have a grace period for expired licenses. Your license is invalid the day it expires. However, if you are pulled over with an expired license and can show proof that you have submitted a renewal process, some officers may issue a warning instead of a ticket. It is best to renew before your license expires to avoid any issues.