Where to check your Illinois driver's license status
The Illinois Secretary of State runs the official system for checking your driver's license status. You can look up your license online through their website without creating an account, or you can call their driver services line. Both methods show you the same information: whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired.
The online tool is the fastest route. Go to cyberdriveillinois.com, find the "Driver License Status" section, and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system returns your status when ready. If you do not have your license number handy, you can use your Social Security number instead, though the system may ask for additional information to confirm your identity.
If you prefer to speak with someone, call the Illinois Secretary of State driver services line at 217-782-6900. Wait times vary by time of day and day of week. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready when you call.
Key Takeaways
- Check your Illinois driver's license status for free on the Secretary of State website using your license number and date of birth.
- A suspended license means you cannot legally drive but the suspension may be lifted once you meet certain conditions, like paying fines or completing a program.
- A revoked license is more serious and typically requires you to reapply for a new license through the Secretary of State after a waiting period.
- If your status shows a problem, the Secretary of State website explains why and what steps you need to take to resolve it.
What each license status means
Valid means your license is current and you can legally drive. Your license is valid until the expiration date printed on it.
Expired means your license passed its expiration date. You cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if it expired yesterday. You will need to renew it through the Secretary of State before you drive again. Renewal can be done online, by mail, or in person at a driver services facility, depending on how long it has been expired and whether you need a new photo.
Suspended means your driving privileges are temporarily taken away. Common reasons include unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, failure to appear in court, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. A suspension is not permanent — once you resolve the underlying issue (pay the fine, appear in court, or complete a required program), you can request reinstatement. The Secretary of State website will tell you the reason for your suspension and what you must do to lift it.
Revoked means your license has been permanently canceled. This is more serious than a suspension and usually results from serious violations like multiple DUIs, reckless driving convictions, or refusing a breathalyzer test. After a revocation, you cannot straightforward pay a fine to get your license back. You must wait out a mandatory period (which varies by the reason for revocation) and then reapply for a new license, which may include retesting.
Why your license might be suspended or revoked
Illinois suspends licenses for reasons that do not involve criminal charges. These include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear for a traffic court date, accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months, unpaid child support, failure to maintain car insurance, or medical reasons (like a seizure disorder reported to the Secretary of State). Many of these suspensions can be lifted once you address the underlying issue.
Revocations are tied to serious driving offenses. A DUI conviction triggers a mandatory revocation. So do multiple DUIs within a certain timeframe, reckless homicide while driving, or habitual traffic offender status (which means multiple suspensions within a short period). Revocations last longer than suspensions — typically one to five years depending on the offense — and you cannot straightforward pay to restore your license.
If your status shows a suspension or revocation, the Secretary of State website will display the reason. Read it carefully, because it tells you exactly what you need to do next. If the reason is unclear, call the driver services line to ask for details.
Steps to take if your license is suspended
First, confirm the reason for the suspension by checking the Secretary of State website or calling driver services. Write down the reason and any case numbers or reference numbers shown.
Second, take action to resolve the underlying issue. If it is an unpaid fine, contact the court listed on the suspension notice and pay it. If it is unpaid child support, contact the Illinois Department of Human Services. If it is failure to appear in court, contact the court to reschedule. If it is insurance-related, obtain proof of insurance and submit it to the Secretary of State. The specific steps depend on why you were suspended.
Third, once you have resolved the issue, request reinstatement. You can do this online through the Secretary of State website, by mail, or in person at a driver services facility. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies. The Secretary of State website will tell you the fee amount and how to pay it.
After you submit your reinstatement request, allow several business days for processing. You can check the status of your reinstatement request on the Secretary of State website using the same tool you used to check your original status.
Steps to take if your license is revoked
A revocation requires a different approach than a suspension. You cannot straightforward pay a fee and get your license back. Instead, you must wait out the mandatory revocation period, which the Secretary of State website will show you.
During the revocation period, you cannot legally drive. Some people in this situation pursue a monitoring device driving permit (also called a BAIID permit if the revocation is DUI-related), which allows limited driving with an installed device that tests your breath before the car starts. Not all revocations may have access to for this permit, and you must request it separately from the Secretary of State.
Once the revocation period ends, you must reapply for a new license. This involves taking the written test and the driving test again, paying the process fee, and providing proof of identity and residence. You cannot straightforward walk in with your old license and renew — you are starting over. The Secretary of State website has a section on reapplying after revocation that walks through the exact documents you need and the testing process.
What to do if you disagree with your status
If you believe your license status is wrong — for example, you paid a fine but the suspension is still showing — contact the Secretary of State driver services line at 217-782-6900. Explain the situation and provide any documentation you have (receipts, court records, proof of payment). They can investigate and may be able to correct the status when ready or escalate it for review.
If the issue involves a court case or a fine, you may also contact the court or agency that reported the suspension. Sometimes there is a delay between when you resolve an issue and when it is reported to the Secretary of State. Getting written confirmation from the court or agency can speed up the process.
If you need to dispute a revocation or suspension in writing, the Secretary of State website has information about requesting a hearing or filing a formal appeal. The process and timeline depend on the reason for the action against your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Illinois and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and further suspension. If you are stopped by police, your vehicle can be impounded. If the suspension is due to unpaid child support or certain other reasons, you may be able to request a monitoring device permit for limited driving, but you must get permission first.
How long does a suspension usually last?
It depends on the reason. Suspensions for unpaid fines or failure to appear can be lifted as soon as you resolve the issue. Suspensions for accumulating points or insurance violations typically last three to six months. The Secretary of State website will show the specific duration for your suspension.
What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation?
A suspension is temporary and can usually be lifted once you address the underlying problem. A revocation is permanent cancellation of your license, and you must wait out a mandatory period before you can reapply. Revocations are for serious offenses like DUI; suspensions are for violations like unpaid fines or too many points.
Do I need to renew my license if it is suspended?
No. Your license cannot be renewed while it is suspended. Once your suspension is lifted and your license is valid again, you can renew it if it is close to expiring. If your license expires while suspended, you will need to renew it after the suspension is lifted.
How do I know if my reinstatement request went through?
Check your status again on the Secretary of State website using the same tool. After you submit a reinstatement request, allow three to five business days for processing. If your status still shows suspended after that time, call driver services to confirm they received your request and payment.