Where to renew your Illinois driver license in Chicago
You can renew your Illinois driver license at any Secretary of State facility in Chicago, or by mail if you meet certain conditions. The Secretary of State operates multiple Driver Services facilities across the city — the main downtown location is at 69 West Washington Street, but there are also facilities on the North Side, South Side, and West Side. You can find the full list and hours on the Illinois Secretary of State website.
If you renew in person, you will need to bring your current driver license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address), and your Social Security number. The process takes about 30 minutes on average, though wait times vary by location and time of day. If you are renewing by mail, you must have a valid, unexpired license and cannot have any medical conditions or restrictions that require a vision test or in-person review.
Key Takeaways
- Chicago has five Secretary of State Driver Services facilities, and you can renew at any of them during business hours without an appointment.
- In-person renewal requires your current license, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number, and takes about 30 minutes.
- Mail renewal is only available if your license is not expired, you have no medical conditions, and you have not had any violations or suspensions in the past few years.
- Your new license will be mailed to you within 5 to 10 business days if you renew in person, or within 7 to 10 business days if you renew by mail.
- The renewal fee is $30 for a four-year license or $95 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card.
What documents you need to bring for in-person renewal
Bring your current, valid Illinois driver license as your primary form of identification. If your license is expired, you will still need to bring it — the Secretary of State will use it to verify your identity and pull up your driving record.
You also need proof that you live at your current Chicago address. The Secretary of State accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail (such as a tax return or voter registration card) dated within the last 60 days. The name on the document must match the name on your driver license. If you recently moved and do not have a document in your new name yet, bring a lease or utility bill in your name plus a piece of mail from a government agency showing your old address — this combination shows the Secretary of State that you have moved.
You will also need to provide your Social Security number. You do not need to bring a Social Security card; you can straightforward tell the staff member your number. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for one.
Renewing by mail instead of in person
Mail renewal is faster and more convenient if you are not may be able to access for it, but the Secretary of State has strict rules about who can use it. You can renew by mail only if your current license is not expired, you have no medical conditions or restrictions that require a vision test, and you have not had any suspensions, revocations, or violations in the past few years.
To renew by mail, read the process for Renewal of Driver's License or Identification Card (form DL 44) from the Illinois Secretary of State website. Fill it out, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and proof of your current address. Mail your packet to the address listed on the form. The Secretary of State will process your renewal and mail your new license back to you within 7 to 10 business days.
If you are not sure whether you are may be able to access for mail renewal, call the Secretary of State's customer service line at 217-782-6900 before you mail in your documents. Staff can tell you in a few minutes whether your driving record allows mail renewal, which saves you the time of mailing documents only to have them returned.
How long renewal takes and when your new license arrives
If you renew in person at a Driver Services facility, you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days. Your permanent plastic license will be mailed to the address you provide at the time of renewal within 5 to 10 business days. Do not throw away the temporary license — you need it to drive legally until your permanent license arrives.
If you renew by mail, you will not receive a temporary license. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. During this time, your current license remains valid as long as it has not expired. If your current license has already expired, you should not drive until your new license arrives.
If you do not receive your new license within 10 business days of renewing in person, or within 12 business days of mailing in your renewal, contact the Secretary of State's customer service line. They can check the status of your license and remail it if there was a delivery problem.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A four-year driver license costs $30 to renew. An eight-year driver license costs $95 to renew. Illinois does not offer a two-year renewal option. You can pay the renewal fee by cash, debit card, or credit card at any in-person facility. If you are renewing by mail, you must pay by check or money order — the Secretary of State does not accept credit or debit cards by mail.
Some Chicago facilities have ATMs on-site if you need to withdraw cash, but not all do. If you plan to pay by cash, call ahead to confirm the facility has an ATM or is prepared to accept cash payments. Most facilities are equipped to handle all payment methods, but it is worth checking if you have a strong preference.
What to do if your license has been suspended or revoked
If your Illinois driver license has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it by mail or at a regular Driver Services facility. You must visit a Secretary of State facility in person and bring documentation showing that you have resolved the reason for the suspension or revocation.
Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or failure to maintain car insurance. If your suspension is due to unpaid fines, bring proof that you have paid them. If it is due to child support, bring a letter from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services showing that your account is current. If it is due to insurance, bring proof of current coverage from your insurance company. The staff member at the facility will review your documents and tell you whether you are may be able to access to renew. If you are not sure what caused your suspension, call 217-782-6900 before you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online?
No, Illinois does not offer online driver license renewal. You must renew either in person at a Secretary of State facility or by mail. In-person renewal is usually faster because you receive a temporary license when ready and your permanent license within 5 to 10 days.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
No, Secretary of State Driver Services facilities in Chicago do not require appointments for license renewal. You can walk in during business hours. Wait times are typically shorter in the early morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays, and longer on Saturdays and around the end of the month.
What if I lost my current license?
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it by mail. You must visit a Driver Services facility in person and bring proof of your identity (such as a passport or birth certificate) and proof of your current address. The staff will issue you a replacement license, which costs the same as a renewal.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket?
Yes, you can renew your license even if you have an outstanding traffic ticket. However, if you have unpaid fines related to that ticket, your license may be suspended, and you will need to resolve the suspension before you can renew. Call 217-782-6900 to check your driving record before you visit a facility.
What if my address changed since my last license?
Bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days) along with your current license and Social Security number. The Secretary of State will update your address during the renewal process, and your new license will show your current Chicago address.