Illinois driver's license renewal happens online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility
Illinois offers three paths to renew your driver's license, and which one you can use depends on how much time is left before yours expires and whether you need to change information. The online renewal system is the fastest and most common route — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $30 for a four-year renewal or $95 for an eight-year renewal. If you cannot renew online, you can mail in your documents or visit a Secretary of State office in person.
Your current license must not be expired, suspended, or revoked to renew it. If your license has been expired for more than a year, you cannot use the renewal process — you will need to explore for a new license instead, which requires an in-person visit, a vision test, and a written exam.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through cyberdriveillinois.com is available if your license expires within the next six months and you have not changed your address, name, or other information since your last renewal.
- The online process takes 10 minutes, costs $30 for four years or $95 for eight years, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- If you cannot renew online, you can mail documents to the Secretary of State or visit a local office — mail-in renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks, and in-person renewal is when ready for a temporary license.
- You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method to renew online.
- If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must explore for a new license in person rather than renewing.
Online renewal through the Illinois Secretary of State website
The Illinois Secretary of State runs the online renewal system at cyberdriveillinois.com. You can renew online if your license is not yet expired, you have not changed your address or legal name since your last renewal, and you do not need to update your photo. The system asks for your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, your date of birth, and a valid credit or debit card.
After you submit the form and payment, the Secretary of State mails your new license to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need your license sooner, you cannot expedite an online renewal — you must visit a Secretary of State office in person instead.
Online renewal is valid for four years ($30) or eight years ($95). The eight-year option is only available if you are at least 21 years old. You choose the term when you pay.
Mail-in renewal when you cannot use the online system
If you changed your address, legal name, or other information since your last renewal, or if your license expires more than six months from now, you must renew by mail or in person. To renew by mail, you will need to read and print the DL 43 form from the Secretary of State website, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and a check or money order to the address listed on the form.
Mail-in renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your documents. There is no way to track your process by mail, so if you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 to confirm they received your documents. The cost is the same as online renewal: $30 for four years or $95 for eight years.
If you changed your address, include a piece of mail showing your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. If you changed your legal name, include a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
In-person renewal at a Secretary of State facility
You can renew your license in person at any Secretary of State office across Illinois. In-person renewal is the only option if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need a new photo, or if you want your new license when ready. When you visit, bring your current license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days), and a valid payment method.
If you changed your legal name, also bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change. The office will take a new photo, process your payment, and issue a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Your permanent license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Secretary of State offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the Secretary of State website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times before you go.
What to do if your license has been expired for more than one year
If your Illinois driver's license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use the renewal process. Instead, you must explore for a new license, which requires an in-person visit to a Secretary of State office. You will need to bring proof of identity (a passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), and proof of your current address.
At the office, you will take a vision test and a written exam on traffic laws and road signs. The written exam has 35 questions, and you must answer at least 28 correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day. The cost is $30 for a four-year license or $95 for an eight-year license, plus a $5 exam fee. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Illinois
Commercial driver's licenses cannot be renewed online or by mail. You must visit a Secretary of State office in person. Bring your current CDL, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. You will take a vision test, and depending on the type of CDL and any endorsements you hold, you may need to take a written exam or a skills test.
The cost is $30 for a four-year CDL or $95 for an eight-year CDL, plus exam fees if required. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Some Secretary of State offices have longer wait times for CDL services, so check the website for the location nearest you and consider visiting during off-peak hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Illinois license if I moved to another state?
No. You must renew your license in the state where you currently live. If you moved out of Illinois, you need to explore for a driver's license in your new state. You can keep your Illinois license until it expires, but once it does, you cannot renew it — you must get a license in your current state of residence.
What happens if I renew online but my address changed?
You cannot renew online if your address changed. The online system only works if all your information is the same as your last renewal. If you moved, you must renew by mail or in person and provide proof of your new address. If you already renewed online without updating your address, contact the Secretary of State to correct it before your new license arrives.
How long can I drive after my license expires while waiting for the new one?
You can drive on your current license until it expires. Once it expires, you cannot legally drive, even if you have already submitted a renewal process. If your new license has not arrived yet, visit a Secretary of State office to get a temporary paper license that is valid for 30 days.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew online?
No. Online renewal uses your photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a Secretary of State office. You can also request a new photo during a mail-in renewal by including a note with your process, though the office may or may not honor the request.
What if I lost my current license before I could renew it?
You cannot renew a license you no longer have. You must explore for a duplicate license first, which costs $10 and takes 7 to 10 business days by mail or is when ready in person. Once you have the duplicate, you can renew it using any of the three renewal methods.