Where to check your Illinois driver's license status
The Illinois Secretary of State operates the official system for checking your driver's license status. You can look up your license information online through the Secretary of State website without creating an account, or you can call their driver services line during business hours. The online lookup is faster and available 24/7.
To use the online system, you will need your driver's license number or your date of birth and last name. The Secretary of State's website will show you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. If you do not have your license number handy, you can search by providing your full name and date of birth instead.
The phone line for driver services is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Wait times can be long during peak hours, particularly early in the week. Having your license number ready will speed up the call.
Key Takeaways
- The Illinois Secretary of State website lets you check your license status online using your license number or your name and date of birth.
- A suspended license means you cannot legally drive; a revoked license requires you to reapply through the Secretary of State before you can drive again.
- Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or unpaid child support.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, the Secretary of State website will usually tell you the reason and what steps you need to take to restore it.
What different license statuses mean
Valid means your license is current and you can legally drive. The status will show your expiration date.
Expired means your license passed its expiration date. You cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if the expiration was recent. You will need to renew your license through the Secretary of State before you can drive again. Illinois licenses are valid for four or eight years depending on your age.
Suspended means your driving privileges have been temporarily taken away. You cannot legally drive while suspended. A suspension is usually tied to a specific reason — unpaid fines, a court order, or failure to meet a requirement — and it can be lifted once that reason is resolved. Suspensions are typically temporary, though the length varies.
Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled by the state. You cannot drive, and you cannot straightforward renew. You must go through a formal reinstatement process with the Secretary of State, which usually involves paying a fee, meeting certain conditions, and sometimes passing a written or driving test again.
Common reasons for suspension or revocation
Unpaid traffic fines and court-ordered fines are the most common reason for suspension in Illinois. If you received a ticket and did not pay the fine or did not appear in court, the court can report this to the Secretary of State, which triggers a suspension.
Failure to appear in court for a traffic or criminal matter will suspend your license. This includes missing a court date you were ordered to attend or missing a required hearing.
Child support arrears can result in suspension. If you owe child support and fall behind on payments, the Illinois Department of Human Services can request that the Secretary of State suspend your license.
Accumulating too many points from traffic violations within a certain time period can lead to suspension. Illinois uses a point system where serious violations add more points, and reaching a threshold triggers automatic suspension.
Driving under the influence (DUI) convictions result in automatic revocation, not suspension. The length of revocation depends on whether it is a first, second, or subsequent offense.
How to restore a suspended license
The first step is to find out exactly why your license was suspended. The Secretary of State website should show the reason when you check your status. If it does not, call the driver services line to ask.
Once you know the reason, you must resolve the underlying issue. If it is unpaid fines, you need to pay them. If it is a failure to appear, you need to contact the court and resolve the case. If it is child support arrears, you need to contact the Illinois Department of Human Services or the court handling your case.
After you have resolved the reason for suspension, contact the Secretary of State to request reinstatement. You may be able to do this online, by mail, or by phone depending on the type of suspension. Some suspensions lift automatically once the underlying issue is resolved, but others require you to formally request reinstatement and pay a reinstatement fee.
The reinstatement fee for a standard suspension is typically between $100 and $200, though the exact amount depends on the reason for suspension. Ask the Secretary of State what fee applies to your case when you contact them.
How to renew an expired license
If your license is straightforward expired and not suspended or revoked, you can renew it online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility. Online renewal is the fastest option and is available if you meet certain requirements — your license cannot have been expired for more than a few years, and you cannot have any suspensions or revocations on your record.
To renew online, visit the Secretary of State website and follow the renewal process. You will need to provide your license number, date of birth, and other identifying information. The fee for renewal varies by license type and length — a standard four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal.
If you cannot renew online, you can renew by mail by sending your current license, a completed process form, and the renewal fee to the address listed on the Secretary of State website. Processing by mail takes longer than online renewal, usually two to four weeks.
In-person renewal at a Secretary of State facility is also an option. You will need to bring your current license, proof of residency, and payment. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, as Illinois now requires this for all license transactions.
What to do if you cannot find your license number
If you have lost your license or do not have it with you, you can still check your status using your full name and date of birth on the Secretary of State website. This search method works for most people, though it may take slightly longer to process.
If the online search does not work with your name and date of birth, call the driver services line. Have your date of birth, full name, and current address ready. The representative can look up your status and provide information about any suspensions or revocations.
If you need a replacement license because yours was lost or stolen, you can order a duplicate through the Secretary of State. A duplicate license costs less than a renewal and can be ordered online or in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Illinois and can result in additional criminal charges, fines, and jail time. If you are stopped by police while driving on a suspended license, you can be arrested.
How long does a suspension usually last?
The length of suspension depends on the reason. Suspensions for unpaid fines may last until the fine is paid. Suspensions for failure to appear may last until the court case is resolved. Some suspensions are set for a specific number of months or years. Contact the Secretary of State to find out the length of your suspension.
Do I have to pay a fee to lift a suspension?
Most suspensions require a reinstatement fee once the underlying issue is resolved. The fee typically ranges from $100 to $200, though it varies by reason. Some suspensions lift automatically without a fee once the issue is fixed, but you should confirm with the Secretary of State.
What is the difference between suspension and revocation?
A suspension is temporary and can usually be lifted once the reason for it is resolved. A revocation is permanent cancellation of your license, and you must go through a formal reinstatement process, which may include fees, tests, or waiting periods before you can drive again.
How do I know if my license expired?
Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can also check the Secretary of State website by entering your license number or name and date of birth. Illinois licenses expire on your birthday in the year listed on the card.