Illinois driver's licenses expire every four or eight years, depending on your age and whether you have a REAL ID
Your Illinois driver's license renewal schedule depends on two things: how old you are when you renew, and whether you have a REAL ID-compliant license. A standard Illinois driver's license lasts four years if you are under 69 years old. If you are 69 or older, your license lasts two years. A REAL ID license — which has a gold star in the upper right corner — lasts eight years if you are under 69, and four years if you are 69 or older.
The difference matters because REAL ID is now required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. If you fly or visit a federal courthouse or military base, you need either a REAL ID license or a passport. A standard license without the star will not work for those purposes after May 7, 2025, though it remains valid for driving and state identification.
Illinois sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 30 days before your license expires. The notice tells you your exact expiration date and whether you can renew by mail or online, or whether you must visit a Secretary of State facility in person.
Key Takeaways
- Standard Illinois driver's licenses expire four years after issue if you are under 69, or two years if you are 69 or older.
- REAL ID licenses last eight years if you are under 69, or four years if you are 69 or older, and are required for domestic flights and federal building entry.
- You will receive a renewal notice by mail about 30 days before expiration that tells you whether you can renew online, by mail, or must visit in person.
- Renewing online or by mail is faster than visiting a Secretary of State facility and does not require an appointment in most cases.
When you can renew by mail or online instead of visiting in person
Most Illinois drivers can renew their license without leaving home. If your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have not changed your name, and you are renewing a standard license (not upgrading to REAL ID), you can renew online through the Secretary of State website or by mail using the form that comes with your renewal notice.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes longer — typically two to three weeks — because the Secretary of State processes it manually. Both methods cost the same as an in-person renewal.
If you want to upgrade from a standard license to a REAL ID, you must visit a Secretary of State facility in person. You will need to bring your current license, proof of identity (a passport or birth certificate), and proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease). REAL ID renewal in person takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
What happens if your license expires before you renew
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Illinois, even if you have a renewal notice in hand. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited and fined. If your license has been expired for more than a year, you may have to retake the written test and vision test to renew it, rather than straightforward renewing by mail or online.
If your license expires while you are waiting for your renewal to arrive, you can show the renewal notice to a police officer as proof that you have applied. The notice does not give you legal permission to drive, but it shows you took action before the expiration date. Many officers will not cite you if the notice is recent and your new license is in the mail.
To avoid this situation, start your renewal at least two weeks before your expiration date if you are renewing online, or four weeks before if you are renewing by mail.
Renewing in person at a Secretary of State facility
You must visit a Secretary of State facility if you are upgrading to REAL ID, if your license is suspended or revoked, if you have changed your name, or if your current license has been expired for more than a year. You can also visit in person if you prefer not to renew online or by mail.
Secretary of State facilities do not require appointments for standard renewals, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Facilities in Chicago and other large cities often have longer waits during lunch hours and after 3 p.m. on weekdays. Early morning visits on weekdays typically have shorter waits. You can check current wait times on the Secretary of State website before you go.
Bring your current license, proof of identity, and proof of your current address. If you are upgrading to REAL ID, bring all three documents. If you are doing a standard renewal, you may only need your current license, depending on the facility. Call ahead or check the Secretary of State website to confirm what documents your nearest facility requires.
How to check your license expiration date
Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the lower right corner. It is listed as "EXP" followed by a date in the format MM/DD/YYYY. You can also log into your Secretary of State account online to see your expiration date and renewal status.
If you have lost your license or cannot find it, you can call the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 to ask about your expiration date. Have your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready.
Renewing a REAL ID license before it expires
If you have a REAL ID license and want to renew it before it expires, you can do so up to six months early. Early renewal is useful if you are about to travel and want a new license before your current one expires, or if you want to update your photo. Early renewal follows the same rules as a standard renewal: you can renew online or by mail if you are not changing your address or name, or you can visit in person.
Early renewal does not extend your expiration date beyond the normal eight-year (or four-year if you are 69 or older) window. Your new license will expire eight years from the date you originally received your current REAL ID license, not eight years from the date you renew early. This means renewing early can actually shorten the time until your next renewal, so only renew early if you have a specific reason to do so.
What to do if your renewal is delayed in the mail
If your license does not arrive within 10 business days of renewing online or by mail, contact the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900. Have your renewal confirmation number ready. The Secretary of State can check the status of your license and may be able to reissue it or send a replacement.
If your license is lost in the mail and does not arrive, you can request a duplicate license at a Secretary of State facility. A duplicate costs the same as a renewal and takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive. You will need to bring your current license or proof of identity and proof of your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if I have changed my address?
You can renew online if you are only updating your address within Illinois. If you have moved out of state or are changing your name, you must visit a Secretary of State facility in person. The online renewal form will tell you whether your situation qualifies for online renewal before you submit it.
What if I turn 69 before my license expires?
Your current license remains valid until its printed expiration date. When you renew after turning 69, your new license will last two years instead of four (or four years instead of eight if you have REAL ID). The Secretary of State will calculate the correct expiration date based on your age at the time of renewal.
Do I need to renew my license if I only have a state ID card?
A state ID card and a driver's license are separate documents with separate expiration dates. If you have a state ID card but no driver's license, you renew the ID card on its own schedule. If you have both, you renew each one when it expires.
Can I renew my license if it has been suspended?
No. You must resolve the suspension before you can renew. Contact the Secretary of State or the court that issued the suspension to find out what you need to do. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew your license.
How much does it cost to renew in Illinois?
A standard four-year driver's license renewal costs $30. An eight-year REAL ID renewal costs $38. Renewal by mail, online, or in person costs the same. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or check, depending on the renewal method you choose.