Illinois lets you renew your driver's license online if your license is still valid and you meet a few basic requirements
You can renew your Illinois driver's license through the Secretary of State's online portal without visiting a facility in person. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $30 for a four-year renewal or $95 for an eight-year renewal, and you'll receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You're may be able to access if your current license is not expired, you have a valid email address, and your address on file with the Secretary of State is current.
Not every driver can use the online route. You cannot renew online if your license has already expired, if you need to change your address, if you wear corrective lenses and your vision prescription has changed, or if you're renewing after a suspension or revocation. Drivers under 21 also cannot renew online. If any of these explore to you, you'll need to visit a Secretary of State facility in person.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your current license is still valid and your address hasn't changed since you last renewed.
- The renewal costs $30 for four years or $95 for eight years, and you pay by credit or debit card during the online transaction.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives.
- If your license has expired, you need a new address on file, or you're under 21, you must renew in person at a Secretary of State facility.
- You'll need your current driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start the renewal.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather your current Illinois driver's license, a valid email address, and access to a computer or smartphone with internet. You'll enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number during the process. The Secretary of State uses this information to pull up your record and confirm your identity.
Make sure your address on file is correct before you begin. If you've moved since your last renewal, you cannot complete the renewal online—you'll have to update your address in person at a Secretary of State facility first. You can call the Secretary of State's office at 217-782-6900 to confirm what address they have on record, or you can visit a facility to update it before starting your online renewal.
Steps to complete your online renewal
Go to the Secretary of State's online renewal portal at cyberdriveillinois.com. Click the link for driver's license renewal and select "Renew Online." You'll be asked to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and display the information on file.
Review the personal information shown on screen. If everything matches—your name, date of birth, and address—you can proceed. You'll then choose your renewal term: four years for $30 or eight years for $95. Enter your payment information (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) and confirm the transaction. You'll receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Keep this number for your records.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license during this time—you don't need to wait for the new one to arrive before getting behind the wheel.
When you cannot renew online and must visit in person
If your current license has already expired, the online system will not let you proceed. You'll need to visit a Secretary of State facility to renew in person. The same applies if you're under 21: Illinois requires younger drivers to renew at a facility where staff can verify your identity and check your vision.
You also cannot renew online if your address has changed since your last renewal, if you wear corrective lenses and your vision prescription has changed, or if your license was suspended or revoked. In any of these cases, you'll need to schedule an appointment at a Secretary of State facility. You can book an appointment online at cyberdriveillinois.com or by calling 217-782-6900.
What happens after you submit your online renewal
The Secretary of State processes online renewals in the order they're received. You'll get a confirmation email when ready after you complete the transaction. This email contains your reference number and confirms the amount charged to your card. Your new license will be printed and mailed within a few business days of processing.
If there's a problem with your renewal—for example, if the system can't verify your identity or if there's a flag on your record—the Secretary of State will contact you by email or phone. This is rare, but if it happens, you'll be told what step to take next, which may include visiting a facility in person. Check your email regularly after you renew, and make sure the phone number on file is one you check often.
Costs and payment methods for online renewal
A four-year renewal costs $30, and an eight-year renewal costs $95. These are the only two options available online. The fee is charged to your credit or debit card at the time you submit your renewal. The Secretary of State accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
There are no additional fees for renewing online. Some Secretary of State facilities charge a small fee for in-person renewals as well, but the online cost is set and transparent before you enter your payment information. If your card is declined, the system will tell you when ready and you can try again with a different card or visit a facility in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license expired more than a year ago?
No. The online system only works if your current license is still valid. If your license has been expired for any length of time, you must renew in person at a Secretary of State facility. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and a valid ID.
What if I moved and need to change my address?
You cannot change your address during an online renewal. You'll need to visit a Secretary of State facility to update your address first, then you can renew online at your next renewal cycle. If your renewal is coming due soon, you may want to do both the address change and renewal in person in one visit.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Your new license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days after the Secretary of State processes your renewal. You can continue driving on your current license during this time. If you don't receive it within two weeks, contact the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 with your reference number.
Can I renew online if I wear glasses or contacts?
Yes, as long as your vision prescription hasn't changed. If your prescription has changed since your last renewal, you'll need to renew in person so staff can verify your new vision correction with an eye exam or prescription document.
What if my payment is declined during the online renewal?
The system will tell you when ready that your card was declined and will not process the renewal. You can try again with a different card, or you can visit a Secretary of State facility to renew in person and pay by cash, check, or card there.