What you need to do to get your Illinois license back
To reinstate a suspended license in Illinois, you must first find out why your license was suspended, then complete the specific steps the Secretary of State requires for that reason. Most suspensions fall into a few categories: unpaid traffic tickets or fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, unpaid vehicle registration fees, or a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI). Each has a different reinstatement path.
The Secretary of State's office maintains your suspension record and will not lift it until you have resolved the underlying issue. You cannot straightforward pay a fee and get your license back — you must address the root cause first. Once you have done that, you can request reinstatement through the Secretary of State.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact the Secretary of State to learn the exact reason for your suspension before you can fix it.
- Most suspensions require you to resolve the underlying issue — paying fines, appearing in court, or paying child support — before reinstatement is possible.
- After resolving the issue, you submit a reinstatement request to the Secretary of State, either by mail or in person at a Driver Services facility.
- A reinstatement fee of $70 is required for most suspensions, though some suspensions have additional fees or requirements.
- Once approved, you may need to obtain an SR22 form if your suspension was DUI-related, which your insurance company files on your behalf.
Finding out why your license was suspended
The first step is to contact the Illinois Secretary of State's Driver Services department to find out the specific reason for your suspension. You can call 217-782-6212 (Springfield office) or visit a Driver Services facility in person. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready when you call.
The Secretary of State will tell you exactly what caused the suspension and what you must do to resolve it. Write down the reason and any case numbers or court information they provide — you will need this information when you take the next step. If the suspension is related to a court case, they may give you a case number to look up in the court system.
Resolving the underlying issue
What you do next depends entirely on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or tickets, you must pay the full amount owed to the court or municipality that issued the ticket. Contact that court directly to confirm the exact amount and payment methods they accept.
If your suspension is due to failure to appear in court, you must go to the court that issued the notice and resolve the case — either by appearing for your hearing or by working with the court clerk to reschedule. If your suspension is related to unpaid child support, you must contact the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services or the local child support enforcement office to arrange payment or a payment plan.
For suspensions tied to unpaid vehicle registration fees, you must pay the Illinois Secretary of State's office directly. If your suspension resulted from a DUI conviction, the reinstatement process is more involved and is covered separately below.
Submitting your reinstatement request
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, you can request reinstatement from the Secretary of State. You have two options: submit your request by mail or visit a Driver Services facility in person.
To request reinstatement by mail, send a letter to the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department, 501 South Second Street, Room 300, Springfield, IL 62756. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a brief statement of what you have done to resolve the suspension. Enclose a check or money order for the $70 reinstatement fee, made payable to the Secretary of State. Include proof that you have resolved the underlying issue — for example, a receipt showing payment of fines, a letter from the court confirming your case was resolved, or a payment confirmation from child support enforcement.
To request reinstatement in person, visit any Driver Services facility with the same documents and fee. You can find the nearest facility on the Secretary of State's website. Processing in person is often faster than by mail.
DUI suspensions and SR22 requirements
If your suspension resulted from a DUI conviction or arrest, reinstatement is more complex. Illinois requires a mandatory suspension period — typically six months for a first offense, one year for a second offense, and three years for a third or subsequent offense. You cannot request reinstatement until that period has passed.
In addition to the $70 reinstatement fee, you must obtain an SR22 form from your insurance company. An SR22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you carry the minimum required auto insurance. Your insurance company files this form directly with the Secretary of State on your behalf — you do not file it yourself. You will need to contact your insurance company and request an SR22; they will handle the filing. Some insurance companies charge a small fee (typically $15 to $25) to file the SR22.
You must maintain continuous SR22 coverage for three years from the date of reinstatement. If your insurance lapses during this period, your license will be suspended again automatically. When the three-year period ends, your insurance company will notify you that you no longer need the SR22.
What happens after you submit your reinstatement request
The Secretary of State typically processes reinstatement requests within two to four weeks if you submit by mail, or within a few days if you submit in person. You will receive written confirmation once your license has been reinstated. If you submitted by mail, the confirmation will arrive at your address on file.
Once your license is reinstated, you can legally drive again. If you requested reinstatement in person, you may receive a temporary driving permit on the spot while your official license is being processed. If you submitted by mail and need to drive before your confirmation arrives, contact the Driver Services department to ask whether a temporary permit is available.
If your reinstatement request is denied, the Secretary of State will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons for denial include incomplete documentation, failure to resolve the underlying issue, or an error in your submission. If this happens, contact Driver Services to find out what additional steps are needed.
Reinstating a license suspended for multiple reasons
Some drivers have suspensions for more than one reason — for example, unpaid fines and unpaid child support. In this case, you must resolve all outstanding issues before the Secretary of State will reinstate your license. When you contact Driver Services, ask them to list every reason your license is suspended so you do not miss any.
If you resolve some issues but not others, your license will remain suspended. The Secretary of State will not partially reinstate a license. Once you have confirmed that all issues are resolved, submit your reinstatement request with documentation for each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have submitted a reinstatement request?
No. Your license remains suspended until the Secretary of State officially approves your reinstatement request. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines and criminal charges. If you need to drive before your reinstatement is approved, ask the Secretary of State whether a temporary driving permit is available in your situation.
What if I cannot afford to pay the fines or fees right now?
Contact the court or agency that is owed the money and ask about a payment plan. Many courts allow you to pay fines in installments. Once you have set up a payment plan and made at least one payment, you may be able to request a temporary driving permit from the Secretary of State while you complete the payments, though this varies by situation. Call Driver Services to ask what options are available.
How long does reinstatement take if I submit in person?
If you visit a Driver Services facility in person with all required documents and fees, your reinstatement can be processed the same day or within a few business days. By mail, expect two to four weeks. Call ahead to confirm the facility's current processing times, as they vary by location.
Do I need a new driver's license photo after reinstatement?
No. Reinstatement restores your existing license. You do not need a new photo or to retake the written test unless your license has expired for other reasons. If your license expired while it was suspended, you will need to renew it separately.
What if the court or agency says the issue is resolved but the Secretary of State still shows a suspension?
There is often a delay between when a court resolves a case and when that information reaches the Secretary of State's system. Wait a few business days, then contact Driver Services again to confirm the suspension has been cleared from their records. If it has not, ask the court to send a letter directly to the Secretary of State confirming the resolution.