What you need to do to get an Illinois driver's license
To get an Illinois driver's license, you visit a Secretary of State facility in person, pass a written test and a driving test, and pay a fee. The process takes multiple visits — one to get your learner's permit, then later to take the driving test and receive your license. You will need to bring specific documents that prove your identity, residency, and Social Security number. The whole timeline typically runs four to eight weeks if you schedule your tests promptly.
Illinois does not issue licenses by mail or online. You must appear at a Driver Services facility yourself. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must also be present at certain steps. The state charges different fees depending on whether you want a standard license, a Real ID-compliant license, or a REAL ID-compliant license with a star endorsement.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility twice: once to get your learner's permit and pass the written test, and again to pass the driving test and receive your license.
- Bring an original or certified birth certificate, a Social Security card or tax return, proof of Illinois residency (like a utility bill or lease), and a completed process for Illinois Identification Card or Driver's License (form DL 100).
- The written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices; you must score at least 80 percent to pass.
- The driving test is conducted by a Secretary of State examiner and lasts about 20 minutes; you must use a vehicle registered in Illinois or a driving school vehicle.
- A standard Illinois driver's license costs $30 and is valid for four years; a REAL ID license costs $32 and is valid for eight years.
Documents you must bring to the facility
Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. A photocopy is not acceptable. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or a Certificate of Naturalization or Permanent Resident Card.
Bring proof of your Social Security number. This can be your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return showing your SSN. A birth certificate with an SSN printed on it also counts.
Bring two documents that prove you live in Illinois. Acceptable documents include a current utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, a property tax bill, or a government check. The documents must show your name and current address. A post office mail forwarding notice does not count as proof of residency.
Bring a completed process for Illinois Identification Card or Driver's License (form DL 100). You can read this from the Secretary of State website or fill it out at the facility. You will also need to bring a passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches) unless the facility has a camera on site.
Getting your learner's permit
Your first visit to a Driver Services facility is to get your learner's permit. Bring all the documents listed above. A staff member will verify your documents, take your photo, and collect your fee. The fee for a learner's permit is $10.
After your documents are processed, you will take the written test on a computer. The test has 35 questions about Illinois traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 28 questions correctly (80 percent) to pass. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day at no additional cost, though you may have to wait a few hours.
If you pass the written test, you receive your learner's permit when ready. Your permit is valid for one year. While you hold a learner's permit, you must have a licensed driver at least 21 years old sitting next to you whenever you drive. You cannot drive alone.
Practicing and preparing for the driving test
After you receive your learner's permit, you must practice driving before you can take the driving test. Illinois law does not specify a minimum number of practice hours, but the Secretary of State recommends at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
You can practice with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and sitting in the front passenger seat. You can also take lessons from a driving school. Many driving schools in Illinois are approved by the Secretary of State and can prepare you for the test.
Schedule your driving test through the Secretary of State website or by calling the facility where you want to test. Tests are scheduled weeks in advance, so book early if you want a specific date. You can test at any Driver Services facility in Illinois, not just the one where you got your permit.
Taking the driving test
Bring your learner's permit, proof of insurance, and a vehicle to your driving test appointment. The vehicle must be registered in Illinois, or you can use a vehicle from a driving school. The vehicle must be in safe working condition with working brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors.
A Secretary of State examiner will conduct your test. The test lasts about 20 minutes and includes driving on city streets and highways, parking, turning, and stopping. The examiner will ask you to perform specific maneuvers and will watch how you handle traffic, follow road signs, and respond to other drivers.
You must pass the driving test to receive your license. If you fail, you can retake the test, but you must schedule another appointment. There is no additional fee to retake the test, but you must wait at least one business day before scheduling your next attempt.
Receiving your Illinois driver's license
If you pass the driving test, you receive your Illinois driver's license the same day. The license is printed on site and is valid when ready. A standard Illinois driver's license is valid for four years. A REAL ID-compliant license is valid for eight years and costs $32 instead of $30.
Your license will show your name, address, date of birth, eye color, and a photo. It will also show your driver's license number and the date your license expires. Keep your license with you whenever you drive.
If you are under 18 when you receive your license, it will have restrictions. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to work, school, or a medical appointment. You also cannot use a cell phone while driving, even for hands-free calls. These restrictions end when you turn 18.
Real ID versus standard license
Illinois offers two types of driver's licenses: a standard license and a REAL ID-compliant license. The main difference is that a REAL ID license can be used as identification for federal purposes, such as boarding a domestic airplane or entering a federal building. A standard license cannot be used for these purposes.
A REAL ID license costs $32 and is valid for eight years. A standard license costs $30 and is valid for four years. If you want a REAL ID license, tell the staff member at the facility before you take your written test. You will need to bring the same documents either way.
As of now, you do not need a REAL ID license to fly domestically within the United States, but federal requirements may change. If you plan to fly or enter federal buildings, a REAL ID license is useful to have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a driver's license if I do not have a birth certificate?
You must bring an original or certified birth certificate. If you do not have one, you can request a certified copy from the state or county where you were born. If you were born outside the United States, you can bring a passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Permanent Resident Card instead of a birth certificate.
What happens if I fail the written test?
You can retake the written test the same day at no additional cost. You may have to wait a few hours between attempts. If you fail multiple times, you can come back on another day to try again. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test.
Can I use a vehicle that is not registered in Illinois for the driving test?
No, the vehicle must be registered in Illinois. The only exception is if you use a vehicle from a driving school. If you do not have access to a registered vehicle, ask a driving school whether they provide vehicles for testing.
How long is my learner's permit valid?
Your learner's permit is valid for one year from the date you receive it. If your permit expires before you pass the driving test, you must renew it and retake the written test. Renewal costs $10.
What if I fail the driving test?
You can retake the driving test by scheduling another appointment. You must wait at least one business day before your next attempt. There is no fee to retake the test. You can retake it as many times as needed until you pass.