What You Need to Know About Illinois Driver's License Renewal by Mail
Illinois lets you renew your driver's license by mail if you meet certain conditions — mainly that your license is not expired by more than a year, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not had any address changes since your last renewal. The process takes about two to three weeks from the time the Secretary of State receives your process. You do not need to visit a facility or take a new photo unless your license has been expired for more than one year or you are renewing a REAL ID-compliant license (which requires an in-person visit).
The mail renewal option exists specifically to save you a trip, but it only works if your situation has stayed the same since your last license was issued. If anything has changed — your address, your name, your medical status — you will need to renew in person instead.
Key Takeaways
- Mail renewal works only if your license expired less than one year ago, you have no medical restrictions, and nothing about your personal information has changed since your last renewal.
- You will need your current or expired license, a completed process form (DL 43), and payment by check or money order — credit cards are not accepted by mail.
- Send your materials to the address listed on the process form; processing takes two to three weeks after the Secretary of State receives it.
- If your license has been expired for more than one year or you need a REAL ID-compliant license, you must renew in person at a Secretary of State facility.
- The renewal fee varies based on your license type and how many years you are renewing for, so check the current fee on the Secretary of State website before mailing your payment.
Who Can Renew by Mail in Illinois
You are a candidate for mail renewal if all of the following are true: your driver's license expired less than one year ago, you have no medical restrictions or conditions listed on your current license, your address has not changed since your last renewal, and your name has not changed. If you are unsure whether you have medical restrictions, check your license — they appear as codes on the back or front depending on your license type.
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use the mail process. You will need to visit a Secretary of State facility in person and may be required to retake the written test. Similarly, if you are renewing a REAL ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star or circle on the front), Illinois requires an in-person visit even if you otherwise meet the mail renewal conditions.
Documents and Information You Will Need
Start by getting form DL 43, the process for driver's license renewal. You can read this from the Secretary of State website or pick up a copy at any Secretary of State facility. Fill out the form completely, including your current address and any name changes (even if you think nothing has changed, verify it matches your license exactly).
Gather your current or expired driver's license and have it in front of you as you complete the form — you will need to reference your license number and other details. Prepare payment by check or money order only; the Secretary of State does not accept credit cards or electronic payment through the mail. Look up the current renewal fee on the Secretary of State website, as it varies by license type and renewal period (usually one, two, three, four, or five years).
How to Submit Your Renewal process by Mail
Once your form DL 43 is complete and you have your payment ready, place everything in an envelope: the signed process form, your current or expired license, and your check or money order made payable to the Secretary of State. Do not send cash.
The mailing address is printed on form DL 43 itself. Mail your envelope to that address — it is the Secretary of State's Driver Services department. Use regular first-class mail; there is no need for certified or priority mail, though some people choose it for peace of mind. Processing begins when the Secretary of State receives your envelope, not when you mail it, so allow extra time for postal delivery.
What Happens After You Mail Your process
The Secretary of State typically processes mail renewals within two to three weeks of receiving your process. You will receive your new license by mail at the address you listed on form DL 43. If you do not receive it within four weeks, contact the Secretary of State Driver Services line to check the status of your process.
Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can continue to use it for identification and driving during the processing period. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it for your records — there is no requirement to return it.
When You Cannot Renew by Mail
If your license has been expired for more than one year, mail renewal is not an option. You must visit a Secretary of State facility in person, bring proof of residency and identity documents, and may need to retake the written driving test. The same applies if you have medical restrictions on your current license or if your address or name has changed since your last renewal.
If you are renewing a REAL ID-compliant license (the kind with a gold star that meets federal identification standards for air travel and federal building access), you must renew in person even if everything else about your situation qualifies you for mail renewal. REAL ID renewals require document verification that cannot be done by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew by mail if my address changed?
No. Mail renewal requires that your address has not changed since your last renewal. If you have moved, you must renew in person at a Secretary of State facility and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew by mail if you do not have your current or expired license to send in. You will need to visit a Secretary of State facility to report it lost and renew at the same time. Bring identification and proof of residency.
How long does it take to get my new license after I mail the process?
Processing typically takes two to three weeks after the Secretary of State receives your process, plus postal delivery time both ways. Your old license remains valid during this period, so you can continue driving and using it for identification.
Can I pay by credit card if I renew by mail?
No. Mail renewal requires payment by check or money order only. If you need to pay by credit card, you must renew in person at a Secretary of State facility.
What if my name changed since my last renewal?
If your name has changed — through marriage, divorce, or legal change — you cannot renew by mail. You must visit a Secretary of State facility in person and bring documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.