Where to renew your Illinois driver license in Chicago
In Chicago, you can renew your driver license at any Secretary of State facility, but the closest and fastest option is usually the Chicago Loop office at 100 W. Randolph Street. You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your license type and how long it has been expired. The online option is the quickest if you are may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and your renewed license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
Before you choose a method, check whether your license is still valid or has been expired for more than a year. Illinois allows online renewal only if your license expired within the last year and you have not renewed online in the past four years. If your license expired more than a year ago or you need a new photo, you must visit a Secretary of State office in person.
The Chicago Loop office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Wait times vary by day and time — mornings are typically shorter than afternoons. You can also visit the Midway Airport office or the Damen Avenue office on the Northwest Side if the Loop location is inconvenient.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through cyberdriveillinois.com takes 10 minutes and works only if your license expired within the last year and you have not renewed online in the past four years.
- In-person renewal at a Secretary of State office requires your current or expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number, and takes about 30 minutes.
- Mail renewal is available but slower — you send documents to the Secretary of State and wait 4 to 6 weeks for your new license to arrive.
- The Chicago Loop office at 100 W. Randolph Street is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon, with shorter waits in the morning.
- If you need a new photo or your license has been expired for more than a year, you cannot renew online and must go in person.
What documents you need for in-person renewal
Bring your current or expired Illinois driver license to the Secretary of State office. If you cannot find it, bring a state ID or passport instead. You also need one document that proves your current Chicago address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts.
You must also prove your Social Security number. Bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a birth certificate and a document showing your name change (if applicable). The office staff will tell you on the spot if your documents are not acceptable.
If you are renewing a REAL ID-compliant license, the document requirements are the same. If you are downgrading to a standard license (not REAL ID), you do not need to bring anything extra.
How to renew online through the Secretary of State website
Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and click "Renew Your Driver License" under the Driver Services section. You will need your current Illinois driver license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will ask you to confirm your address or update it if you have moved within Illinois.
You can pay the renewal fee with a credit card or debit card. The fee for a standard four-year renewal is $30. If you are renewing a REAL ID license, the fee is $42. Once you complete the transaction, you will receive a confirmation number by email.
Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need your license sooner, you cannot expedite an online renewal — you must go to a Secretary of State office in person and pay an additional fee for a temporary license valid for 30 days while you wait for the permanent one.
Renewing by mail if you prefer not to visit an office
Request a mail renewal form by calling the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 or by visiting a Secretary of State office and asking for form DL 504. Fill out the form completely and include a copy of your current or expired driver license, your proof of address, and your proof of Social Security number. Mail everything to the address listed on the form.
Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your packet. There is no way to track your process by mail, so if you do not receive your license within 7 weeks, call 217-782-6900 to check the status. The renewal fee is the same as online renewal — $30 for standard or $42 for REAL ID.
Mail renewal is slower than online or in-person options, but it works if you cannot visit an office or do not want to renew online. Keep in mind that if your license has been expired for more than a year, the Secretary of State may require you to come in person for a new photo.
REAL ID compliance and what it means for your renewal
A REAL ID is a driver license that meets federal security standards and can be used to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. Illinois began issuing REAL ID licenses in 2018, and most people renewing now will receive one automatically unless they ask for a standard license instead.
If your current license shows a gold star in the upper right corner, it is already REAL ID-compliant. When you renew, you will get another REAL ID license unless you specifically request a standard license. The REAL ID renewal fee is $12 more than a standard renewal.
If your current license does not have a gold star, you can upgrade to REAL ID when you renew by bringing the same documents you would bring for a standard renewal. You do not need any extra paperwork. If you prefer to keep a standard license without the gold star, tell the office staff before you complete your transaction.
What to do if your license has been expired for more than a year
If your Illinois driver license expired more than a year ago, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a Secretary of State office in person. Bring the same documents as a standard renewal — your expired license, proof of address, and proof of Social Security number.
The office will take a new photo for your renewed license. The process takes about 30 minutes, and you will receive a temporary license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. The renewal fee is the same as a standard renewal.
If you have been driving with an expired license, you should know that driving with an expired license is illegal in Illinois, even if you are renewing. Once you have your temporary license from the Secretary of State, you are legal to drive while you wait for your permanent license to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid parking fine?
No. The Secretary of State will not renew your license if you have an unpaid traffic violation or parking fine in Illinois. You must pay the fine or resolve the ticket before you can renew. Call the court listed on your ticket or contact the city of Chicago's Department of Finance to find out what you owe.
What if I moved out of Chicago but still have an Illinois address?
You can renew your license with your new Illinois address online, by mail, or in person. You do not need to visit a Chicago office — any Secretary of State office in Illinois will process your renewal. If you moved out of state, you will need to get a driver license from your new state instead.
How much does it cost to renew a driver license in Illinois?
A standard four-year renewal costs $30. A REAL ID renewal costs $42. If you need a temporary license while you wait for your permanent one, there is an additional $5 fee. Fees are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
Can I renew my license if it was suspended or revoked?
No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first contact the Secretary of State to find out why your license was suspended or revoked and what you need to do to restore it. Call 217-782-6900 or visit a Secretary of State office for details about your specific case.
What if I changed my name since my last license?
Bring a document showing your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing online or by mail, include a copy with your other documents. If you are renewing in person, show the original or a certified copy to the office staff.