What you need to mail to reinstate your license in Illinois
You can reinstate your Illinois driver's license by mail if your suspension or revocation was for certain reasons — mainly unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or failure to pay child support. The Illinois Secretary of State's office will not process a reinstatement by mail if your license was suspended for a medical reason, a conviction for driving under the influence, or a serious traffic violation like reckless driving.
To reinstate by mail, you need to send a completed process for Reinstatement of Driver's License or Permit (form DL 43) along with the required fee. The fee varies depending on why your license was suspended, but typically ranges from $20 to $100. You must also include proof that you have resolved the reason for the suspension — for example, a receipt showing you paid outstanding fines, a court document showing you appeared, or proof of child support payment.
Mail your documents to the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department, at the address listed on the form. Keep copies of everything you send. Processing by mail takes longer than in-person reinstatement, usually four to six weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Mail reinstatement works only for suspensions tied to unpaid fines, failure to appear, or child support — not for medical suspensions or DUI convictions.
- You must complete form DL 43, include the reinstatement fee, and provide proof that the reason for suspension has been resolved.
- Mail processing typically takes four to six weeks, so plan ahead if you need your license by a specific date.
- Keep copies of everything you mail, and consider sending documents by certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
- If your reinstatement is denied by mail, you will receive a letter explaining why and what steps to take next, which may include an in-person visit.
Where to find form DL 43 and the correct mailing address
Form DL 43 is available on the Illinois Secretary of State website under the Driver Services section. You can read and print it, or request a copy by calling the Driver Services Department at 217-782-2720. The form includes instructions specific to your type of suspension, so read it carefully before filling it out.
The mailing address for reinstatement requests is printed on the form itself, but it is typically the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department, 501 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62756. Address changes happen occasionally, so verify the current address on the form or the Secretary of State website before you mail anything.
What counts as proof that your suspension reason has been resolved
The type of proof you need depends on why your license was suspended. If you were suspended for unpaid traffic fines, include a receipt or letter from the court showing the fines have been paid in full. If you were suspended for failure to appear in court, include a court document showing you appeared or that the case was resolved. If you were suspended for unpaid child support, include a letter from the Illinois Department of Human Services or your child support enforcement agency confirming the arrears have been paid or a payment plan is in place.
Do not send original documents — send copies only. The Secretary of State will not return documents you mail, so keep the originals for your records. If you are unsure what proof is required for your specific suspension, call Driver Services before you mail your reinstatement request.
Reinstatement fees and what they cover
The reinstatement fee for a suspension is typically $20 to $100, depending on the reason for suspension and whether it is your first reinstatement. A revocation (a more serious action than a suspension) costs more to reinstate, sometimes $150 or higher. The fee is non-refundable even if your reinstatement is denied.
Include the fee with your mailed process. You can pay by check or money order made out to the Illinois Secretary of State. Do not send cash. Write your driver's license number on the check or money order so the payment can be matched to your process.
Why your mail reinstatement might be denied
The Secretary of State may deny your reinstatement by mail if the proof you sent does not match what their records show. For example, if you send a receipt for a fine payment but the court has not yet reported that payment to the Secretary of State's system, your process may be denied. This can take a few days to a few weeks to process on the court's end.
Your process may also be denied if you did not include all required documents, if the fee was incorrect, or if your suspension was for a reason that cannot be handled by mail. If your reinstatement is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason and what to do next. In many cases, you can resubmit by mail once the issue is resolved, or you may need to visit a Driver Services facility in person.
When to choose in-person reinstatement instead of mail
If you need your license reinstated quickly, an in-person visit is faster — usually one to two hours if you have all documents ready. In-person reinstatement also gives you when ready feedback if something is missing or incorrect, so you can fix it on the spot rather than waiting weeks for a denial letter.
Visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility with your completed form DL 43, proof of resolution, and the reinstatement fee. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card. You can find the nearest facility and hours on the Illinois Secretary of State website. Some facilities require an appointment, so check before you go.
What happens after your reinstatement is approved
Once your reinstatement is approved, the Secretary of State will mail you a new driver's license to the address on file. This takes one to two weeks. Your license will be valid when ready upon approval, even though you have not yet received the physical card. If you need to drive before the card arrives, you can request a temporary driving permit at a Driver Services facility.
If your address has changed since your suspension, update it before you submit your reinstatement request. You can do this on the form DL 43 itself, or by visiting a Driver Services facility. An incorrect address will delay your new license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstate my license by mail if I have multiple suspensions?
Yes, but you must resolve the reason for each suspension. If you have one suspension for unpaid fines and another for failure to appear, you need proof that both issues are resolved before you mail your reinstatement request. If the suspensions are for different reasons — for example, one for fines and one for a medical issue — you may need to handle them separately or visit in person.
How long does it take to get my license back after I mail the reinstatement?
Processing takes four to six weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your process. The physical license card takes another one to two weeks to arrive by mail after approval. You can drive legally once your reinstatement is approved, even if you have not yet received the card.
What if the court has not reported my fine payment to the Secretary of State yet?
Wait a few days to a week after paying the fine, then mail your reinstatement request. Include the receipt from the court showing you paid. If the Secretary of State's records have not been updated by the time they process your process, they may deny it — but you can resubmit once the court reports the payment, which usually happens within two weeks.
Do I need to send my old license with my reinstatement request?
No. The Secretary of State does not ask for your old license. If you still have it, keep it for your records until you receive the new one. If your old license was lost or destroyed, that does not affect your reinstatement.
Can I reinstate my license by mail if I owe back child support but have a payment plan?
Yes, if you have a written payment plan in place. Include a letter from the Illinois Department of Human Services or your child support enforcement agency confirming the plan. A payment plan counts as resolution for reinstatement purposes, even if you have not finished paying.