Renew Your Illinois License Online, by Mail, or In Person
You can renew your Illinois driver's license through three routes: online at sos.illinois.gov, by mail using the renewal notice the Secretary of State sends you, or in person at a Driver Services facility. Online renewal is fastest — you'll receive your new license in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks. In-person renewal is when ready if you need to change your photo, address, or name, or if you're renewing after your license has been expired for more than a year.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail 30 to 60 days before your license expires. It contains your renewal code, which you'll need for online or mail renewal. If you don't receive one, you can still renew in person at any Driver Services facility without it.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at sos.illinois.gov takes 7 to 10 business days and costs $30 for a standard four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license.
- Mail renewal requires your renewal notice and a check or money order, and takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives it.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Services facility is when ready and necessary if your license has been expired for more than one year or if you need to update your photo or personal information.
- You must renew before your license expires to avoid a late fee of $10, and you cannot drive legally on an expired license.
- If you've changed your name or address, you'll need to provide proof — a marriage certificate for name changes, or a utility bill or lease for address changes.
Online Renewal Through the Secretary of State Website
Go to sos.illinois.gov and select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the Driver Services section. You'll need your renewal code (from your renewal notice), your driver's license number, and your date of birth. The system will confirm your current information and ask whether you want to keep your photo or upload a new one. If you upload a new photo, it must meet the Secretary of State's requirements: a color photo taken within the last six months, head and shoulders only, no sunglasses or hats, and a plain light background.
After you submit your information and payment (by debit or credit card), you'll receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you've moved, update your address before you renew — the renewal form will ask you to confirm or change it.
Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need to change your name, or if you're renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). In those cases, you must renew in person.
Mail Renewal Using Your Renewal Notice
Your renewal notice includes a prepaid envelope and a form. Fill out the form, sign it, and include a check or money order for the renewal fee ($30 for a four-year license, $48 for an eight-year license). Do not send cash. Mail the envelope to the address printed on it — do not use a different address.
The Secretary of State processes mail renewals in the order they arrive. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks after they receive your envelope. You can continue to drive on your current license while your renewal is being processed, as long as it hasn't expired yet. If your license expires before your new one arrives, you cannot legally drive.
Mail renewal is the slowest option but requires no appointment and no trip to a facility. It works only if you have your renewal notice and don't need to change your photo, name, or address.
In-Person Renewal at a Driver Services Facility
Visit any Driver Services facility in Illinois. You do not need an appointment for renewal, though some facilities have shorter wait times at certain hours — check sos.illinois.gov for your local facility's hours and current wait times. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment (cash, check, debit card, or credit card).
If you're changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you're changing your address, your proof of residency serves as your address change. The facility will take a new photo unless you request to keep your current one.
In-person renewal is when ready: you'll walk out with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your plastic license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. This is your only option if your license has been expired for more than one year.
What Happens If Your License Expires Before You Renew
You cannot legally drive on an expired license, even if you've submitted a renewal process. If you're caught driving with an expired license, you face a traffic citation and a fine. The expired license itself does not automatically renew — you must complete one of the three renewal routes.
If your license expired within the last year, you can still renew online or by mail using your renewal notice. If it expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person. The in-person renewal process is the same, but you'll pay a $10 late fee on top of the standard renewal fee.
Renewal Fees and Payment Methods
A standard four-year driver's license costs $30 to renew. An eight-year license costs $48. If your license has been expired for more than one year, add a $10 late fee. Payment methods depend on your renewal route: online accepts debit and credit cards; mail accepts checks and money orders (not cash); in-person accepts cash, checks, debit cards, and credit cards.
The fee covers the license itself and processing. There are no additional hidden fees. If you're renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher — contact your local Driver Services facility for the exact amount.
Updating Your Address or Name During Renewal
If you're renewing online, the form will ask you to confirm or change your address. Enter your new address and submit. If you're renewing by mail, cross out your old address on the renewal form and write your new one, then include proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you're renewing in person, bring your proof of residency and tell the clerk you're changing your address.
Name changes require in-person renewal. Bring your current driver's license, a certified copy of the document showing the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of residency. The facility will issue a temporary license on the spot and mail your plastic license within 7 to 10 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's already expired?
Yes, but the process depends on how long it's been expired. If it expired less than one year ago, you can renew online or by mail. If it expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a Driver Services facility. You'll pay a $10 late fee in addition to the standard renewal fee. You cannot legally drive on an expired license, even while your renewal is being processed.
How long does it take to get my renewed license?
Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your envelope. In-person renewal is when ready — you'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your plastic license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
No appointment is required for renewal at any Driver Services facility. Walk-ins are accepted during business hours. Wait times vary by location and time of day — check sos.illinois.gov for your local facility's hours and current wait times to plan your visit.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online if you have your driver's license number, date of birth, and renewal code. If you don't have the code, you can renew in person at any Driver Services facility without it. Mail renewal requires your renewal notice, so you'll need to renew online or in person instead.
Can I change my photo during online renewal?
Yes. During online renewal, you'll be asked whether you want to keep your current photo or upload a new one. If you upload a new photo, it must be a color photo taken within the last six months, head and shoulders only, no sunglasses or hats, and a plain light background. If you prefer to have a new photo taken, renew in person at a Driver Services facility instead.