License Suspension and Revocation in Illinois. License suspension is when your driving privileges have been temporarily withdrawn, generally for a set period of time. Revocation, on the other hand, is when your license is terminated and there is no guarantee of reinstatement. Why Would My License Get Suspended? I have a revoked Illinois Driver’s License; how do I get it back? If the state revokes your Illinois driver’s license, you have two options to have it reinstated: fix the problem or have a hearing. Convicted June 2010 in Michigan for DWI; IL SOS revoked license since it was an out-of-state conviction. Never been arrested before or since. All terms of sentence (comm svc, fines, probation) long since taken care of. Interested in getting my DL back, but I don't own a car (live in Chicago and don't need one). Application to have an IL Revoked Driver’s License Reinstated. It may also be possible to have your Illinois driver’s license reinstated after it has been revoked. There are many things you must prove in order to qualify for your license being returned. These include but are not limited to.
Driver's License Suspensions in Illinois
In Illinois, your driver's license can be suspended or revoked by the IL Secretary of State (SOS) for several reasons, including not paying your traffic tickets, having too many traffic violations, failing to pay child support, and more.
Suspensions and revocations both mean you've lost your driving privileges, but suspensions have an end date and revocations represent the loss of your driving privileges indefinitely.
Read more to lean about Illinois driver's license suspensions, reinstatement, DUI revocations, and fees.
About Your IL Suspended License
When your driver's license is suspended, you will be given a written notice from the Illinois SOS requiring you to surrender your license.
Reasons for Your License Suspension
In Illinois, the SOS can suspend your driving privileges for the following offenses:
- Traffic violations – 3 moving violations within 12 months.
- If you need to review a list of your traffic violations you can order your Illinois driving record.
- Failure to appear in court for a traffic citation or otherwise resolve the issue before your court date.
- Parking violations –10 unpaid parking violations or more.
- Automated traffic violations – You will have your license suspended if you have 5 automated traffic violation or more and have not paid your violations.
- Failure to pay child support. – Under the “Deadbeats Don't Drive' Act, you can have your license suspended for non-payment of court-ordered child support.
- Tollway violations or evasions –Your license may be suspended for failure to pay fines for 5 toll violations or evasions or more.
- Safety responsibility violations – If the SOS finds you to be at fault for a car accident while driving without car insurance.
- Graduated Driver's License violations - Your license may be suspended if you are convicted of a moving violation or serious offense.
- DUI – Your license can be suspended for driving under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substance (or for being impaired by medication).
- For more information, please see the “DUI Revocations' section below.
NOTE: You may face additional penalties imposed by the court system in addition to those imposed by the IL SOS.
Driving with a Suspended License
Convictions of driving with a suspended license can lead to:
- An increase in the length of your suspension.
- Possible revocation of your license.
- Jail time.
- Seizure of your car.
Check Your License Status
Your IL driving record is a picture of your driving history in the state and shows everything from moving violations to your license status (i.e., valid, suspended, or revoked).
It's always smart to monitor your record – even if your license status is valid – because it can affect your car insurance rates, and sometimes even your employment if you drive on the job.
Check our driving records section for more information.
Suspension Hearings and Appeals in IL
The SOS requires either an informal or formal hearing for all Illinois drivers facing license suspension.
A hearing will result in either the restoration of your driving privileges, the granting of a restricted driver permit (see “Restricted Driving Permits' below), or the denial of your driving privileges.
Please see “Reinstating Your License' below for more details on the types of hearings and requirements.
Reinstating Your IL Driver's License
To have your suspended Illinois driver's license reinstated, you will have to participate in aninformal or formal hearing with a Secretary of State hearing officer.
To request an informal or formal hearing, you must first have a consultation with a SOS hearing officer to assess your eligibility and guide you towards further action. Contact any Hearing Officer Facility Location for more information on scheduling a consultation.
Informal Hearing
You may request an informal hearing with an informal hearing officer IF your driver's license was suspended for:
- An offense that did not involve a fatality.
- A single DUI offense.
- Penalties handed down for minor moving violations.
To request an informal hearing, contact any hearing officer facility location.
Your hearing may result in a granting of a restricted driving permit (see “Restricted Driving Permits' below) or full reinstatement of your driver's license. The final decision will be mailed to you.
Formal Hearing
You must have a formal hearing IF your driver's license has been suspended for:
- An offense involving a fatality.
- Multiple DUI offenses.
You may only request a formal hearing by mail. To do so:
- Complete a Formal Hearing Request (form DAH H 12).
- Mail the form to the address of the location where you wish to have your hearing. Each address is listed on the Formal Hearing Request (form DAH H 12).
- Provide payment for the $50 filing fee with one of the following payment methods:
- Check or money order payable to “Secretary of State'.
- Credit card (a processing fee will apply).
Upon receiving your hearing request and fee payment, the SOS will mail you a Formal Notice of Hearing with your scheduled hearing date.
- If you do not speak English, you are responsible for bringing in your own interpreter to your hearing.
- If you are hearing impaired, you can request that the Secretary of State provide a sign language interpreter.
Your hearing may result in a granting of a restricted driving permit, denial of reinstatement, or full reinstatement of your license. Results will be mailed to you after your hearing. Results will NOT be given by phone.
NOTE: When you go in for your hearing, remember that you must show a valid photo ID when entering a state building. Acceptable photo ID includes:
- Driver's license.
- State-issued ID card.
- Passport.
If you are unable to provide photo ID, bring your Formal Notice of Hearing (form DAH H 12) and another form of ID, such as your:
- Social Security card.
- Voter registration card.
- Credit card.
Post-Hearing Requirements
If an informal or formal hearing results in the restoration of your full driving privileges, you will be required to take additional steps to have your license reinstated.
To reinstate your license, you must provide the SOS with the following:
- Proof of insurance.
- Fee payment.
- (See “Fees for Suspended IL Licenses' below.)
DUI Considerations
If your driver's license is being reinstated after your second DUI conviction, you will be required to install a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) in your car.
The BAIID tests your breath and will not allow you to start your car if alcohol is detected.
Reinstatement of Revoked Licenses
If your license is revoked for any reason, you CANNOT apply for reinstatement for at least 1 year.
DUI Revocations in IL
If you are convicted of a criminal DUI in Illinois, your driver's license will be revoked.
A revocation of your license is an indefinite loss of your driving privileges. Remember, if your driver's license is revoked for any reason (including a DUI conviction), you cannot apply for a new license for at least 1 year.
The minimum length of your DUI-related revocation depends on the number of offenses for which you are convicted and the specific circumstances surrounding your arrest and conviction:
- 1st offense: revocation of 1 year.
- 2nd offense in 20 years: revocation of 5 years.
- 3rd offense: revocation of 10 years.
- 4th offense (and any subsequent offenses): Lifetime revocation.
Please note that DUI convictions may result in additional criminal penalties imposed by the court.
Statutory Summary Suspensions
If you are pulled over and arrested for drinking and driving in Illinois, you are subject to a statutory summary suspension of your driver's license by the SOS, whether or not you end up being criminally convicted for a DUI.
The arresting officer will request that you submit to chemical testing. If you refuse to take the chemical test, you automatically face license suspension. How long your license is suspended depends on the number of offense.
If you submit to the testing and are found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, you face a suspension of your driver's license.
Statutory suspensions are effective on the 46th day from the date of the notice of suspension.
You might be eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) that allows you to drive a vehicle installed with a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAAID) if you are under a summary suspension. You can be issued an MDDP through your formal hearing.
For more information regarding DUI and related penalties, please visit our IL DUI page.
DUI-Specific Reinstatement Requirements
To have your driver's license reinstated after a DUI conviction or a summary suspension, you must complete an alcohol/drug evaluation by a Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse-licensed provider.
Your evaluation will classify you as minimal risk, moderate/significant risk, or high risk.
Depending on your risk level, you will have to take the following additional steps before having your license reinstated:
- Minimal risk:
- Complete a Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA)-licensed DUI Risk Education class.
- Moderate risk:
- Complete a DASA-licensed DUI Risk Education.
- Provide proof of early intervention.
- Significant risk:
- Complete a DASA-licensed DUI Risk Education.
- Provide proof of entering recommended alcohol treatment.
- Provide continuing care status report.
- High risk*:
- Take all above steps for “significant risk.'
- Show active participation in all activities specified in your continuing care plan.
NOTE - the specific requirements for High risk are different depending on whether you are classified as Dependent or Non-Dependent.
For more information on DASA-approved courses, contact the Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Center helpline at (800) 843-6154.
IL Restricted Driving Permit
You may be able to apply for a restricted driving permit (RDP) while your license is suspended or revoked.
An RDP allows you to drive:
- During certain times of day.
- In certain designated areas.
To apply for an RDP, you must go through the same informal/formal hearing process described in “Reinstate Your IL Driver's License' above.
During your consultation, you must show that you need to drive for at least one of the following reasons:
- Work.
- Medical appointments, daycare, or school for:
- Yourself.
- A child.
- A family member.
- An elderly person.
- A person with disability.
- An alcohol awareness class (if your license has been revoked due to DUI).
NOTE: Meeting the above criteria does not automatically make you eligible for an RDP.
You will not be eligible for an RDP during a summary suspension. However, you may be eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit. (See “DUI Revocations' above.)
Fees for Suspended Licenses in IL
Your reinstatement fee depends on the reason for your license suspension:
- $70 for:
- Failure to appear in court.
- Failure to pay child support.
- Parking suspensions.
- Safety responsibility suspensions.
- Tollway suspensions.
- $100 for not having theminimum required Illinois car insurance.
- $250 for:
- Statutory Summary Suspension – 1st offense.
- $500 for:
- Statutory Summary Suspension – 2nd offense and subsequent suspensions.
You can pay your fee online using your driver's license number, or name and date of birth . If you are not able to use the online payment system please call (888) 261-5238.
CDL Suspensions
Rules for CDL suspensions can differ from standard driver's license rules, with most regulations being harsher for commercial drivers.
Common reasons for CDL disqualifications include:
- DUI.
- Hit-and-run accidents.
- Committing a felony while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
- The use of a commercial vehicle for transportation of illegal substances.
For more information, visit our Illinois Commercial Drivers section.
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How to Renew Your Driver's License in Illinois
To renew an IL driver's license, you can either:
- Log on to the Illinois Secretary of State(SOS) website and pay the renewal fee according to your age group.
- Mail in your driver's license renewal notice.
- Call the SOS and follow your notice instruction to renew by phone.
OR - Visit an Illinois SOS office with your renewal notice and proof of identification.
- For more details on these driver's license renewal option, please see below.
Illinois REAL ID Driver's License
The Illinois SOS has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in addition to non-compliant driver’s licenses. As of October 1, 2020, the REAL ID will function as federal identification for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings—your standard license will not after this date. You can choose to receive either a REAL ID or non-compliant ID upon renewal—details are outlined below.
When to Renew Your Illinois Driver's License
The Illinois Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) will send you a renewal notice 60 to 90 days before your driver's license expires.
Depending on your age, your IL driver's license will be valid for different lengths of time:
- 21 to 80 years old: 4 years (expires on your birthday).
- 81 to 86 years old: 2 years.
- 87 years old and older: must renew every year.
Valid Driver's License
You can renew your valid IL driver's license at different times depending on how long your current card is valid for:
- Driver licenses valid for 2 years or 4 years: Up to 1 year before the expiration date.
- Driver's license valid 1 year: Up to 6 months before the expiration date.
If you're under 21 years old, you must renew your IL driver's license 3 months after your 21st birthday.
NOTE: If your license is going to expire tomorrow, the IL SOS recommends you visit your nearest IL DMV office to ensure you have a valid IL driver license prior to it expiring.
Expired Driver's License
Do NOT drive if your IL driver license or motorcycle license has expired.
If your IL driver's license has been expired for 1 year or less, you are still eligible for renewal.
Mpeg 2 codec windows 7. If you let your Illinois driver license stay expired for more than 1 year, you cannot renew your IL driver license online and you may be subject to additional testing requirements.
For more information on this process, please read our pages about Applying for a New IL License (Drivers 18+) or Applying for a New Teen License in Illinois.
Suspended & Revoked Driver's Licenses
If you have a suspended IL driver license, the IL SOS will take away your driving privilege temporarily or until you meet specific reinstatement requirements. You cannot renew your suspended driver's license in Illinois until it has been reinstated.
If your IL driver's license is revoked, you lose the privilege to drive and will not be able to reapply for your IL driver license until you appear before a Secretary of State hearing office
Since you cannot renew your suspended IL driver license, you may choose to apply for an IL state ID card as a form of valid identification. Visit our pages about IL Identification Cards and Suspended Licenses for more information.
Lost or Stolen Driver's License
If your Illinois driver license is lost or stolen, read our Replacing a Lost License in Illinois page to find out how to apply for a duplicate driver's license in Illinois.
You may need it for identification purposes when submitting your IL driver license renewal application.
If your lost IL driver's license is due for renewal, you can renew it instead of replacing it.
Illinois Driver License Renewal Requirements
Check your Illinois driver's license renewal notice to find out if you must renew your IL driver license online, bymail, byphone, or inperson at your local Illinois DMV office.
Q: Which license can I travel with after 2020?
A: One of the biggest ways the REAL ID act will affect most Americans is in domestic travel. After October 2020, you will NOT be able to use a standard (non-compliant) license as your proof of ID an airport. Only the REAL ID will be accepted. If you prefer a non-compliant license, you'll need to bring additional proof of identification (like your passport).
Your renewal notice will give you the information you need to renew your IL driver's license, including:
- Renewal options (online, by mail, by phone, or in person).*
- Your 14-digit renewal authorization number.
- Testing requirements (if applicable):
- If you're required to retake the Illinois drive exam during the IL renewal process, you'll also be asked to provefinancialresponsibility with a minimum of liabilityinsurance. For more information about the IL road test, see the IL Driver Handbook.
- Fees (see the “Fees to Renew Your IL Driver License' section below).
The IL SOS office will mail your renewed IL driver's license to your address on file within 15 business days. If you don't receive it, contact the IL SOS to check the status of your license renewal.
*NOTE: If you are upgrading from a non-compliant license to a federally compliant REAL ID license, you MUST visit the SOS in person for renewal and resubmit all required identity documents. The SOS offers a guide to acceptable proofs.
Social Security Number Verification
Your information with the Social Security Administration (SSA) must be up to date before the Illinois SOS will issue your renewed IL driver's license.
The Illinois SOS must be able to verify your Social Security number (SSN), name, and date of birth with the SSA in order to process your request.
Address & Name Changes
You must notify the Illinois SOS office within 10 days of your name change OR change of address if you hold a valid IL driver license.
You need to first change your name and/or address on file with the IL SOS before you renew your IL driver's license online.
For more information about changes to your IL driver's license, please read our pages about changing your address or changing your name in Illinois.
Renewing Your IL Driver's License
Depending on your circumstances, you can renew your driver's license in Illinois:
- Online.
- By mail.
- By phone.
- In person.
If you are upgrading from a non-compliant license to a federally compliant REAL ID license, you MUST visit the SOS in person for renewal and resubmit all required identity documents. The SOS offers a guide to acceptable proofs.
Online
If you're eligible to renew your Illinois driver license online, visit the Illinois SOS driver license renewal page.
You can only renewyour IL driver's license online if the Illinois SOS considers you a safe driver. Your IL driving record must be clean for at least 4 years, and you must also meet other requirements, including the following:
- You must be over 22 years old and under 74 years old.
- Your driving privileges must not be suspended, cancelled, or revoked in any state.
- Your IL driver's license must NOT have expired more than 1 year ago.
For a complete list of eligibility requirements for the Illinois Safe Driver renewal program, please visit the IL Secretary of State website.
Revoked License Illinois Reinstatement
By Mail
To renew your IL driver's license with the Illinois SOS by mail, you'll need:
- A completed IL driver's license renewal notice.
- If you recently moved, be sure to include your change of address information.
- Payment for the renewal fee. See the “Fees to Renew Your IL Driver's License' section below.
Send the above documents to the address specified on your renewal notice.
The IL DMV will process and mail your renewed IL driver license within 15 business days.
NOTE: If you changed your address, you may need to provide 1 document to prove your residency during your next visit at your local IL DMV office.
By Phone
If the IL SOS office sends you a renewal notice stating you're eligible for their “Safe Driver Renewal,' you can renew anytime by calling (866) 545-9607.
For information on specific fees and acceptable payment methods, please view the section “Fees to Renew Your IL Driver's License' below.
In Person
You can renew your IL driver's license up to 1 year before it expires if you have a license that was valid 2 years or 4 years.
To renew your IL driver license inperson at your local IL DMV office, you will need:
- Your valid Illinois driver's license.
- Your ILrenewalnotice.
- Required proof of identity, if you're upgrading to a REAL ID.
- Payment for the renewal fee. See the “Fees to Renew Your IL Driver's License' section below.
- To take a:
- Vision test.
- Driving test, if you are over 75 years old.
- Written and/or road test, if you have a traffic incident on your Illinois driving record.
NOTE: You will be required to take a written exam in Illinois every 8 years, unless you have not received a traffic ticket.
If you need to change your name or address, you will also need to prove your identity with:
- 1 document from Group A, such as your:
- Current IL driver's license.
- Current out-of-state driver's license.
- Major credit/debit card.
- 1 document from Group D if your address has changed.
The SOS provides a complete list of acceptable identification documents.
The IL SOS will update your IL driver's license with a new photo and issue your renewed IL driver license before you leave the facility.
Military Renewal Deferment in Illinois
Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany
If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.
If you're stationed outside of Illinois on active military duty, OR you are a civilian member of the DoD or U.S. Armed Forces, you may drive with an expired driver license for up to 120 days after returning to the state. The same rule applies for your dependents and spouse.
You must carry a Military Deferral Certificate with your expired IL driver's license. To request one at no charge, you'll need:
- A copy of:
- Your current Illinois driver's license.
- The front and back of your military ID card.
- A statement noting your out-of-state mailing address.
Send the above to:
Secretary of State
License and Medical Review Unit
2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy.
Springfield, IL 62723
License and Medical Review Unit
2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy.
Springfield, IL 62723
To get specific information about the status of your specific license renewal situation, call (217) 782-2720.
Fees to Renew Your IL Driver's License
The following fees apply when renewing your driver's license in Illinois:
- 18 to 20 years old: $5.
- 21 to 68 years old: $30.
- 69 to 80 years old: $5.
- 81 to 86 years old: $2.
- 87 years old and older: Free.
- Class M (motorcycle license): $5.
- Upgrade to Class M (motorcycle license): $10.
NOTE: If you renew your Illinois driver license online, you must pay an additional $1.75 fee.
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