Illinois suspends your license after you accumulate 15 points within a 12-month period

The Illinois Secretary of State tracks points on your driving record based on traffic violations you receive. When your points reach 15 in any 12-month rolling window, your license is automatically suspended. The suspension lasts a minimum of three months, though the actual length depends on how many times you have been suspended before and whether you complete a required driver improvement course.

Points stay on your record for a set time. Most violations remain for five years from the date of conviction, though some serious violations like DUI stay for ten years. This means an old violation can still count toward your 15-point threshold if you receive new violations within the same 12-month window.

The state does not send you a warning when you are close to suspension. You have to track your own points by checking your driving record through the Secretary of State website or requesting a copy by mail. Many people do not realize they are near suspension until they receive the suspension notice in the mail.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license suspends automatically when you reach 15 points within any 12-month period, with no warning from the state beforehand.
  • Most traffic violations add between 5 and 10 points to your record, so even two or three violations in a short time can trigger suspension.
  • You can check your current point total through the Illinois Secretary of State website or by requesting your driving record by mail.
  • Completing a state-approved driver improvement course can reduce your points by up to 5 points, but only once every 12 months.
  • The minimum suspension period is three months, but you may be required to take a driving test before your license is reinstated.

How points are assigned for different violations

Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. Minor infractions like speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit add 5 points. Speeding 11 to 20 miles per hour over the limit adds 10 points. Speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit adds 15 points by itself — enough to trigger suspension in a single violation.

Other common violations and their point values include: improper lane change (5 points), following too closely (5 points), failure to yield (10 points), reckless driving (15 points), and driving with a suspended or revoked license (15 points). Accidents where you are found at fault typically add 3 to 6 points depending on the circumstances.

Serious violations like DUI, driving with a child under 16 while impaired, or causing injury while driving recklessly carry 15 points or more. These violations can suspend your license when ready or result in a separate administrative suspension that runs alongside the point-based suspension.

How to check your current point total

The Illinois Secretary of State maintains your driving record and point total. You can view your record online through the Secretary of State website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth. The online system shows your current points, all violations on your record, and the date each violation will drop off.

If you prefer not to check online, you can request a copy of your driving record by mail. Send a written request to the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department, with your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Include a check or money order for the fee, which varies depending on whether you want a certified or uncertified copy. The mailed record typically arrives within two to three weeks.

Some insurance companies also provide your point total when you request a quote or review your policy. However, the official record from the Secretary of State is the one that determines whether your license will be suspended, so checking directly through the state is the most reliable method.

What happens when you reach 15 points

Once the Secretary of State's computer system detects that you have reached 15 points, a suspension notice is generated and mailed to the address on file with your license. The notice arrives several weeks after the violation that pushed you over 15 points is recorded in the system. You cannot drive legally once the suspension takes effect, even if you have not yet received the notice in the mail.

The minimum suspension period is three months. However, if you have been suspended before, the suspension period increases. A second suspension within ten years lasts at least six months. A third or subsequent suspension within ten years lasts at least one year. These periods can be extended if you fail to meet the conditions for reinstatement.

Before your license can be reinstated after the suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State. The fee is $100 for a first suspension, $250 for a second suspension within ten years, and $500 for a third or subsequent suspension within ten years. You may also be required to pass a written driving test or vision test before reinstatement, depending on the reason for your suspension.

How a driver improvement course can reduce your points

Illinois allows you to reduce your points by up to 5 points by completing an approved driver improvement course. This reduction can only happen once every 12 months, and you can only use this reduction once every 12 months even if you take multiple courses. The course must be approved by the Illinois Secretary of State — not all driving schools or online courses may have access to.

You must complete the course and receive a certificate before you can claim the reduction. When you have the certificate, send it to the Secretary of State along with a written request for the point reduction. The state will process your request and update your record within several weeks. The reduction does not happen automatically, so you have to take the initiative to enroll and submit your certificate.

Taking a driver improvement course does not prevent a suspension if you are already at or above 15 points. The reduction only applies to points you have accumulated, so if you are at 18 points and complete a course, your record will show 13 points — still below the suspension threshold, but you would need to have taken the course before reaching 15 points to avoid suspension. If you are already suspended, completing a course may help you stay below 15 points after reinstatement, but it does not shorten the suspension period itself.

How to reinstate your license after suspension

After your suspension period ends, you cannot straightforward start driving again. You must take active steps to reinstate your license. First, pay the reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State. You can pay online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office. The fee depends on how many times you have been suspended in the past ten years.

Second, you may need to pass a written test, vision test, or both. The Secretary of State will notify you in your suspension notice whether a test is required. If a test is required, you must schedule an appointment at a Secretary of State office and pass before your license is reinstated. You cannot drive to the test location — you must arrange alternative transportation.

Third, if you were suspended for a serious violation like reckless driving or DUI, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle before reinstatement. This device prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. The requirement and duration depend on the specific violation and whether you have prior suspensions.

Once you have paid the fee and passed any required tests, submit your reinstatement request to the Secretary of State. You can do this online, by mail, or in person. Your license will be reinstated once the state processes your request, which typically takes one to two weeks by mail or when ready if you explore in person at an office.

What violations do not add points

Not every traffic violation adds points to your record. Parking violations, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and non-moving violations typically do not add points. However, these violations can still result in fines and may affect your insurance rates.

Some violations result in automatic license suspension or revocation instead of points. These include driving with a suspended or revoked license, DUI, driving with a child under 16 while impaired, and certain reckless driving convictions. These suspensions happen separately from the point-based suspension system and often last longer or have stricter reinstatement requirements.

If you receive a ticket and are unsure whether it carries points, check your driving record after the violation is processed. The Secretary of State's record will show the point value assigned to each violation. You can also contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services Department by phone to ask about a specific violation code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive during my suspension if I have a work permit?

Illinois does not issue work permits that allow you to drive during a suspension caused by reaching 15 points. You cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period, including driving to work. Your only option is to use public transportation, carpool, or arrange other transportation until your suspension ends and your license is reinstated.

What if I get a ticket while my license is suspended?

Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Illinois. You will face additional charges, fines, and jail time depending on whether this is your first offense. The violation also adds 15 points to your record, which will extend your suspension period when it eventually ends and you are reinstated.

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Illinois suspension?

Yes, if you were convicted of a violation in another state and reported it to Illinois, those points count toward your 15-point threshold. Illinois has a reciprocal agreement with other states to share violation information. However, the point value assigned to an out-of-state violation may differ from what Illinois would assign to the same violation, depending on the state's point system.

How long does it take for points to drop off my record?

Most violations stay on your record for five years from the date of conviction. Some serious violations like DUI stay for ten years. Once the time period passes, the violation and its points are removed from your record automatically. You do not need to request removal — the Secretary of State handles this automatically.

Can I dispute points on my record?

You can dispute points only if you believe the violation was recorded incorrectly or if you were not actually convicted of the violation. You must contact the Secretary of State with documentation showing the error, such as a court record showing the case was dismissed. You cannot dispute the point value assigned to a violation you were convicted of — that is set by state law.