Documents and information you'll need before you start
To renew your Illinois driver's license, you need your current license, proof of residency, and proof of legal name if it has changed since your last renewal. You do not need to pass a written test or vision test unless your license has been expired for more than a year, or unless the Secretary of State's office requests one based on your driving record.
Proof of residency means a document showing your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will work. If you've moved recently and don't have a document yet, a letter from your employer or a government agency addressed to you at your new address counts. You cannot use a PO box as your address on the license itself.
If your name has changed since your last license was issued, bring the document that proves it: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or naturalization papers. A certified copy is safest, though the Secretary of State's office will tell you at the time of renewal if they need one.
Key Takeaways
- You need your current Illinois license, proof of where you live now, and proof of your legal name if it has changed since your last renewal.
- You can renew in person at a Secretary of State facility, by mail if your license is not expired, or online if you meet certain age and status requirements.
- In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes; mail renewal takes two to four weeks; online renewal takes a few minutes but only works for some drivers.
- The renewal fee is $30 for a four-year license or $95 for an eight-year license, and you choose the length when you renew.
- If your license expired more than a year ago, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test.
Renewing in person at a Secretary of State facility
Walk into any Secretary of State Driver Services facility with your current license, proof of residency, and the fee. Bring the name-change document if applicable. You will fill out a form (DL 44), have your photo taken, and pay either $30 for a four-year license or $95 for an eight-year license. The choice is yours. You'll receive your new license on the spot or within a few days if they need to mail it.
Bring your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) — the office will verify it. If you don't have either, tell the staff when you arrive; they can walk you through alternatives. Expect to wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on the time of day and which facility you visit. The busiest times are typically mid-morning on weekdays and early afternoon on Saturdays.
Find the nearest facility and current hours on the Secretary of State website. Some facilities are open only certain days or have reduced hours, so check before you go. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but some facilities now offer them — calling ahead can save you time.
Renewing by mail if your license is not expired
If your current license has not expired, you can mail in your renewal. Send your license, a completed DL 44 form (available on the Secretary of State website), proof of residency, and a check or money order for $30 or $95 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash.
Mail renewal takes two to four weeks. Your new license will arrive by mail. You cannot choose to renew by mail if your license has already expired — you must go in person for that. If your name has changed, mail renewal still works, but include the certified copy of your name-change document.
Keep a copy of everything you send, and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The Secretary of State's office receives thousands of renewals by mail each week, and occasionally documents go missing.
Renewing online if you're under 69 and meet other requirements
Illinois allows online renewal for drivers under 69 whose licenses are not expired and who have not had certain violations or suspensions in the past five years. Go to the Secretary of State's online services portal, log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, and follow the steps. You'll upload a photo, confirm your address, and pay the fee by credit or debit card. The process takes about 10 minutes.
Your new license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. You cannot renew online if your license has expired, if you're 69 or older, if you've had a suspension or revocation, or if you have certain medical conditions on your record. The system will tell you whether you're may be able to access before you start.
Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal: $30 for four years or $95 for eight years. You cannot change your address online — if you've moved, you must renew in person or by mail and include proof of your new address.
What happens if your license expired more than a year ago
You must renew in person at a Secretary of State facility. Bring the same documents — your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of legal name if it changed. You will likely need to pass a vision test, and the office may require a written test depending on how long your license has been expired and your driving record.
The fee is still $30 or $95 depending on which length of license you choose. The process takes longer than a standard renewal because of the testing, so plan for 45 minutes to an hour. If you fail the vision test, you can retake it the same day or come back another time.
Changing your address during renewal
If you've moved since your last license was issued, bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The address on your new license will be updated automatically during renewal, whether you renew in person, by mail, or online (though online renewal requires you to renew in person or by mail if you've moved).
You cannot use a PO box as your mailing address on your license. If you live in a rural area without a street address, the Secretary of State's office has a process for that — ask the staff when you renew, or call ahead to ask what documents they'll need.
Fees and payment methods
A four-year license costs $30. An eight-year license costs $95. You choose which one you want when you renew. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card depending on how you renew — in person accepts all four; by mail accepts check or money order only; online accepts credit or debit card only.
If you're renewing in person and paying by check, make it out to the Secretary of State. If you're renewing by mail, send a check or money order — do not send cash. There are no discounts or fee waivers for Illinois residents based on age or income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired during the pandemic?
Yes. Illinois lifted the emergency extension that was in place during the pandemic, so if your license expired, you need to renew now. If it expired more than a year ago, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test.
What if I've changed my name since my last renewal?
Bring the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or naturalization papers. A certified copy is safest. You can renew in person, by mail, or online (if you're under 69 and otherwise may be able to access), and the name change will be processed with your renewal.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
Most Secretary of State facilities do not require appointments, but some now offer them. Check the facility's hours and policies on the Secretary of State website before you go. Calling ahead can tell you the current wait time and whether an appointment slot is available.
What if I don't have a Social Security number?
You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. If you have neither, tell the staff when you arrive — they can explain what documents you'll need to bring back or what alternatives exist for your situation.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
If you renew in person, you'll receive your license on the spot or within a few days if they mail it. If you renew by mail or online, your new license arrives by mail in two to four weeks. Plan accordingly if your current license is about to expire.