IllinoisDrivers License Guide

ContentsTablet of

Updating Your License

License

Numbers

Renewing Your License

8

15

23

18

3

13

10

16

20

Replacing Your License

24

Getting Your First Illinois License

Replacing Your License

Official Forms

Getting an Illinois ID Card

Starting the Journey

Updating Your License

Renewing Your License

Reinstating Your Driver’s License

Vehicle Safety Tips

SOS Hours and Locations

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Starting the Journey

Welcome to the world of driving in Illinois. Obtaining your license is one of the most gratifying moments in your life. Our purpose through this guide is to make sure you get to that moment with as little stress or complications as possible.

Getting your driver’s license in Illinois is a smooth-sailing process, which only requires you to prepare slightly before embarking on the adventure. That is where we come in; we are here to help you learn exactly what it is you need to prepare, and how to prepare properly.

This is a process that will only take a small amount of your time; in fact, our guide is specifically organized to ensure that you are able to get through things as quickly as possible. Our handy eBook is jam-packed with information regarding everything from obtaining your learner’s permit, driver’s license or ID card, all the way to how to renew, replace or update these items. We will make getting ready to drive on the friendly Illinois roads fast and easy. So, sit back and review our comprehensive guide, as we make life a bit less complicated.

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Teen Drivers As a teenager in Illinois, obtaining your first-ever credential to drive can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Fortunately, we are here to guide you seamlessly through the process. In each step leading toward obtaining your license, we will outline and help you to better understand each procedure you must complete. As a new driver, it is important that you carefully read through each step and fully understand how everything operates. This is to ensure that you avoid any complications, but also to confirm that you are well-prepared to handle your on-the-road responsibilities. By completing these steps and obtaining your license, you will take those first steps toward proving you are ready to drive.

Currently, the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) enforces a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program to improve teen driving laws with the aim of reducing traffic crashes and fatalities involving young drivers. Therefore, you will need to complete a three-stage process before you get your actual driver’s license. Continue below to review the different phases of the Illinois GDL program.

Permit Phase

With this permit, which you can only obtain with parental or legal guardian consent, you may practice driving while supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and is always seated next to you. The permit is valid for two years, and you are required to hold it for a minimum of nine months. To apply you have to:

Be at least 15 years of age.

Visit a Driver Services Facility.

Be enrolled in an approved driver education course. Learn more here.

Pass the vision and written tests.

Provide ONE proof of identity from the approved list.

Restrictions

When you are granted your instruction permit, you will have the following restrictions:

You can only have one passenger in the front seat, and as many passengers as there are seatbelts in the back of your vehicle.

All passengers must wear safety belts.

You cannot use a cellphone while driving, including a hands-free device (except in case of emergency).

You cannot text while driving.

You cannot drive Sunday to Thursday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., or Friday to Saturday from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

This phase requires you to practice a minimum of 50 driving hours, including 10 hours at night, with driving supervised by a licensed parent/adult who is at least 21 years old. You may use the 50-Hour Practice Driving Log/Under Age 18 Applicant to log your progress. In addition, you must not receive any driving convictions while holding the permit.

Initial Licensing Phase

Once the nine-month permit phase is up, you will be ready to apply for an initial license, as long as you do not have

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any traffic violations on your driver record. An initial license allows you to drive without supervision, but with some restrictions. To apply successfully, you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 16 years of age.

Visit a Driver Services Facility.

Your parent or legal guardian must visit the facility with you to give his/ her written consent for you to obtain a driver’s license; otherwise, he/she must complete and notarize an Affidavit/Consent for Minor to Drive form.

Your parent or legal guardian must certify that you completed the 50 hours of driving practice; you can use the 50-Hour Practice Driving Log/Under Age 18 Applicantas proof.

You must have completed the state-approved driver education course in which you were enrolled.

Pass the driving exam.

Provide ONE proof of identity from this list.

Restrictions

While holding your initial license you must:

Not drive Sunday to Thursday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., or Friday to Saturday from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Not get any conviction on your driving record for the six months prior to your 18th birthday.

Have all passengers wear safety belts.

Not use your cellphone while driving, including a hands-free device (except in case of emergency).

Not text while driving.

During the first 12 months of the initial license phase – or until you turn 18 – you are limited to having only one passenger under 20. The only exception is if the passenger(s) is your sibling, stepsibling, child or stepchild. Once the first year is over, you can only have one passenger in the front seat, and as many passengers as there are seatbelts in the back of your vehicle.

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Full Licensing Phase

Once you turn 18, you will be ready to graduate from the initial licensing phase to the full licensing phase. With this license, you will not be restricted to driving only during certain times, nor with a limited amount of passengers – unless you failed to move from the Initial Licensing Phase to the Full Licensing Phase. In addition, while you are under 19 years of age, you are prohibited from using a cellphone while driving, except for an emergency. To apply for your full license successfully, you need to:

Be at least 18 years of age.

Visit a Driver Services Facility.

Provide ONE proof of identity from this list.

If you are between 18 and 20 years old, and just started driving (and, therefore, did not complete the previous steps of the GDL program), you must complete a six-hour adult driver education courseand present evidence of completion at the time of your application.

Tip: Review the Illinois GDL Parent-Teen Driving Guide for additional information about new drivers in Illinois.

Driver Education

A vital requirement for you to complete the GDL program is to enroll in a driver education course, also called the Cooperative Driver Testing Program (CDTP). To pass the course, you must:

Complete at least 30 hours in the classroom and six hours of driving practice.

Receive a combined grade of A or B.

Get your parent/legal guardian’s approval.

Pass the driving test administered by an instructor.

Once you complete the driver education course, the Illinois State Board of Education will notify the Secretary of State office, so it is recorded in the system.

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All Drivers You must remember that the roads aren’t always safe; therefore, it is in your best interest to fully prepare for whatever may come your way before you begin driving. When you begin driving, you not only take on the responsibility of your own safety, but you also take on the responsibility of the safety of your passengers, and all passengers in the vehicles around you. So, in order to best prepare yourself to take on that responsibility, make sure to learn about the required Illinois SOS tests that occur throughout the GDL licensing process.

Vision Screening

Before applying for a license, you must take a vision screening or submit a Vision Specialist Report completed by a licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist or physician within six months of license application. To pass you must:

Have a minimum visual acuity of 20/40. (If you are between 20/41 and 20/70, you are limited to drive only during daylight.)

Have at least 140-degree peripheral vision, with our without corrective lenses.

If you wear glasses or contacts, your license will have a restriction, so you must always wear your glasses or lenses while you drive. There are special requirements you must comply with if you wear telescopic lenses.

Written Exam

You will also have to take and pass a written test that will evaluate your ability to identify traffic signs, signals and pavement markings. You will have to answer multiple-choice and true/false questions about traffic laws, car equipment, safety rules and accident prevention.

Driving Exam

The last test you need to take and pass before getting your license is the driving exam, which is required of all

drivers. New drivers 75 or older and seniors of this age renewing their licenses must also take this exam. If you are not a new driver and have a crash or another moving violation on your driving record, you may also be required to retake Illinois driving exam, along with the written test. The driving exam will evaluate you driving skills by asking you to perform on-the-road tasks and maneuvers. The car you use must be properly registered, insured and titled. In addition, you must be driven to the facility by a licensed driver.

Adult Driver Education

If you are 18, 19 or 20 years old and you are applying for an IL driver’s license for the first time, but never completed any type of driver’s education course, you must complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course before you are granted a driver’s license. Once you finish the course, you will be provided with a certificate of completion, which should be presented at the Driver Services Facility, where you will also take your additional driving exams.

Fees

Instruction permit:

Initial License:

Full license 18 to 20 years old:

$20

$30

$5

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Getting Your First Illinois License

Congratulations! If you have gone through the steps of the GDL program, in Illinois, you are now only one step away from obtaining your driver’s license.

All that is required at this point is that you follow the steps below that best fit your situation to officially take hold of your brand-new license to drive.

Current Illinois Residents If you are 21 years of age or older and want to learn how to obtain an IL driver’s license, you have come to the right place. If you are under 21, please go to our Teen Drivers section. Getting a license for the first time through the state of Illinois is a very simple process if you follow these steps:

Visit a Driver Services Facility.

Surrender any valid, out-of-state driver’s licenses or ID cards.

Show acceptable identification documents.

Have your photo taken.

Pay the licensing fee.

If you did not complete the GDL process, you will have to additionally pass the vision, written and driving tests before being issued a license. Once you have successfully filed your application and have met all of the SOS requirements, you will be issued a temporary, 90-day paper driver’s license, which you can use until your permanent credential arrives in the mail – within 15 business days.

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New Illinois Residents New to Illinois? If you already hold an out-of-state license and just moved to Illinois, you must obtain an IL license. It is very important to make sure that you obtain a valid driver’s license if you want to drive within the state. Applying is very easy if you follow the simple steps outlined below.

When you move to Illinois, you are allowed to drive with your out-of-state license for up to 90 days. Once that timeframe has expired, you must apply for an IL license by:

Visiting a Driver Services Facility.

Surrendering your out-of-state license.

Showing acceptable identification documents.

Having your photo taken.

Passing the vision and written tests

Paying the required fee.

If you do not have an out-of-state license, you also have to pass the driving exam.

Temporary Visitor Driver License (TVDL)

If you are a noncitizen and are temporarily and legally residing in Illinois, you may apply for a Temporary Visitor Driver License (TVDL). To be eligible you must:

Be a noncitizen of the U.S., and be living in Illinois.

Provide ONE proof of legal presence in the U.S.

Not be required to get a license issued by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Missions.

Have authorization to stay in the country for at least one year, and have at least six months remaining on an authorized stay.

Provide acceptable documentation proving name, date of birth, Illinois residency and written signature.

Present proof of completing a six-hour adult driver education course, if you are age 18 to 20.

Complete the required tests (vision, written and driving).

If you are eligible, you may obtain an instruction permit to practice before the road exam. To obtain one, you must go to one of the designated Secretary of State facilities and follow the first-time licensing procedures.

Fees

Driver’s License age 21 to 68:

Driver’s License age 69 to 80:

Driver’s License age 81 to 86:

Driver’s License age 87 and older:

$30

$5

$2

FREE

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Renewing Your License

If your license is set to expire, it is vital to take the steps to renew your driving credential as soon as possible.

Without a valid license, you will lose your freedom to drive, and will risk getting a ticket that can affect your future privileges. So, it is best to renew your license as soon as you notice the expiration date approaching. But, before you renew your license, it is best that you thoroughly comprehend theprocess so that you can avoid any errors or issues that may occur.

An Illinois driver’s license expires three months after your 21st birthday, every four years if you are 21 to 80 years old, every two years if are 81 to 86 and every year if you are 87 or older. The Illinois SOS mails a renewal notice approximately 90 days before the expiration date with information to renew your license.

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How To Renew Your License You have the option to renew your license up to one year in advance if you have a four- or two- year license, and up to six months beforehand if it is a one-year license. The renewal method will depend on your driving record and other circumstances. That information will be on your renewal notice.

Standard Renewal

Generally, you will have to visit a Driver Services Facility. Every time you renew your license in person, you are required to take and pass the vision screening. In addition, you must take and pass the written test every eight years, unless you don’t have any traffic convictions on your driving record. If you have an accident on your driving record, you may also be required to take the driving exam. In such a case, you will be required to show proof of insurance. To renew your license you must always provide acceptable identification documents.

Safe Renewal

Are you wondering what you need to qualify as a safe driver? You are eligible if any of the following apply:

You don’t hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

You are between the ages of 22 and 74.

You have a clean driving record.

Your license hasn’t been expired for more than one year.

You didn’t participate in the Safe Driver Renewal program during your last renewal.

You have not renewed yet.

You submitted an updated medical and/or vision report.

You are not a School Bus Permit holder.

Your driving record does not reflect any conviction, supervision, accident and/or withdrawal.

You have not been prescribed corrective lenses (eyeglasses/contacts) for driving since your last renewal.

You don’t plan to change classification or restrictions on your driver’s license.

You don’t hold a driver’s license in any other state.

Your driver’s license is not being held by a court in lieu of bail.

Your legal name or gender hasn’t changed.

You are not seeking a veteran designation on your license after being honorably discharged.

Your renewal notice will indicate if you are a safe driver. If there is confirmation, you will have the choice to renew online, by phone or by mail.

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Being a safe driver gives you advantages. Maintaining a clean driving record means being rewarded! To renew online, go here and follow the instructions. To renew using the two other methods, follow the steps on your renewal notice.

Tip:

Out-of-State Renewal

If you are active military personnel currently outside Illinois, or the spouse or child of a serviceperson, you may use your expired license for up to 120 days after your return to the state. You must carry your Military Deferral Certificate any time you drive with your expired IL license. If you want to request a Military Deferral Certificate, mail copies of your IL license, the front and back of your military ID card and your current out-of-state address. Mail this information to:

Secretary of State License and Medical Review Unit 2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy. Springfield, IL 62723

Fees

Driver’s License age 21 to 68:

Driver’s License age 69 to 80:

Driver’s License age 81 to 86:

Driver’s License age 87 and older:

$30

$5

$2

FREE

If you are a safe driver and choose to renew online, you may be assessed an additional fee.

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Updating Your License

New life milestones are accompanied by factors such as permanently changing your name to moving neighborhoods.

Either way, this information is essential to your identification, which includes your driver’s license. So, how can you ensure that these changes are made to your driver’s license when necessary? Simply inform the Illinois SOS of these changes within 10 days of them happening. To better understand the process, follow the steps that best fit your situation.

Changing Your Name Changing your legal name is not only a big personal decision, but it will also greatly affect your documents and general information in regard to your identity. If you have officially changed your name, then you will be required to change your name on all of your identification documents and cards, including your driver’s license. You can only process a name change through the Illinois SOS, and you must do so within 10 days of the change. The steps are as follows:

Visit a Driver Services Facility.

Present your current driver’s license.

Provide documentation to legally support your name change such as:

• A marriage license.• A divorce decree.• A court order.

Pay the corrected duplicate fee.

After a name change, you must always obtain a duplicate Illinois license with the corrected information.

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Changing Your Address In the case that you may have recently moved to a new address, it is essential that you notify the IL SOS within 10 days in order to update the address on your driver’s license. All you must do is stick to the process and, once you have completed every step properly, you driver’s license will be updated. Now, simply follow the steps below.

Tip: You are not required to get a corrected license when you update your address; however, if you want to get one, you must visit a Driver Services Facility.

You may update your address online or in person. To update it online, go to the Address Change online application. Have the following details handy: your driver’s license number, the last four digits of your Social Security Number, your date of birth, the date of issuance on your license, your new address information and whether or not you are a TVDL holder. If you prefer to change it in person at a Driver Services Facility, you must provide one document to prove your date of birth and your Social Security Number, one document to prove your signature and one document that proves your Illinois residency at your new address. In addition, prepare the corrected duplicate license fee.

If you are changing the address to another state, your post office is located in a bordering state or you live in a city with a population fewer than 3,500 and have only a P.O Box for legal address purposes, you must submit the electronic Address Change form.

Change Of Gender If you want to change your gender on the driver’s license, visit a Driver Services Facility and present a medical report form, a psychiatric report form, a physician’s statement or any other document to prove your process of changing gender.

Fees

Correction:

Correction – Active-duty armed forces member, a member’s spouse or dependent children living with the

member:

Correction – Age 60 and lost or stolen licenses:

Correction – Stolen license with police report:

$5

FREE

FREE

FREE

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Replacing Your License

Incidents involving the loss or destruction of your license can happen, but the Illinois SOS is ready to help you obtain a new driver’s license as soon as possible. In any case, you can effortlessly replace your driver’s license with a new duplicate license in just a few easy steps.

How To Replace Your License To replace your driver’s license, you must:

Visit a Driver Services Facility.

Provide one acceptable proof of identity from the list.

Pay the fee.

If your license was stolen, you must immediately report it to your local police department.

In the event that you are temporarily out of state, call 217-782-2720 to obtain information about getting a temporary license and to have the license duplicate application mailed to you. Then, mail the request to the address listed on the form.

You can also email the SOS office with your name, birthdate, driver’s license number and out-of-state address to file your license request.

Fees

Correction or Duplicate:

Duplicate – Active-duty armed forces member,

a member’s spouse or dependent children

living with the member:

Duplicate – Age 60 and lost or stolen licenses:

Duplicate – Stolen license with police

report:

$5

FREE

FREE

FREE

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Reinstating Your Driver’s License

The suspension or revocation of your driver’s license is the consequence of traffic violations or numerous offenses on your record. If your license is suspended or revoked, your driving privileges are removed, and you are not authorized to drive, because it is considered illegal.

To be able to drive again, you are required to reinstate your license if you are entitled to do so. Be sure to take your time going through the process, and review the information necessary to begin reinstating your Illinois license to drive.

What is the difference between suspended and revoked licenses? A suspension is a temporary removal of your driving privileges, while revocation is the indefinite termination. If your license is suspended, you must wait for the suspension period to expire, and then request a reinstatement. If it is revoked, you have to apply for a new license, if applicable.

Your license may also be cancelled or denied. A cancellation is the result of the SOS deciding to annul your license because of an error or a defect, or because you are not entitled to hold a license due to a medical condition, for instance. A denial is temporary, and is given to drivers under 18 who are convicted of certain offenses.

Loss of your Illinois license can result from: driving under the influence (DUI), GDL violations, failure to appear due to a citation or violation, parking suspensions, automated traffic violation suspensions, failure to pay fines to the Clerk of Court, failure to pay child support and failure to pay fines or penalties for five or more toll violations or evasions.

Tip:If you don’t know the status of your license, you may buy a copy of your driver record through your nearest SOS location.

Reinstating your license will depend on the type of suspension or revocation you have. Most likely, you will have to request a hearing with a SOS hearing officer for which you must first request a consultation. Find the hearing officer facility locations here. The reinstatement of an Illinois driver’s license also means paying the designated fee to the state.

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Driving Under The Influence (Dui) If you are caught driving with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or more, after having used any illegal substances or being impaired by medication, you will be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) has created the DUI Fact Book, which is a comprehensive document with all the information you need to know about DUIs.

The Illinois Zero Tolerance Law states that if you are under age 21 and are caught with any trace of alcohol in your system, you will lose your driving privileges. In addition, you may be charged with a DUI. There are Zero Tolerance While Driving penalties, Zero Tolerance While Driving Test Refusal violations and under 21 DUI penalties you will face. You can also be penalized for driving while suspended and for illegal transportation of alcohol. Review more about these consequences here.

Special Permits In Illinois, if your license is suspended or revoked, you may be allowed to drive under certain circumstances and with special permits. Click each permit name below to learn more about the conditions associated with these limited driving credentials:

Restricted Driving Permit (RDP)

Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP)

Occupational Driving Permit

Probationary License

Family Financial Responsibility Driving Permit (FRP)

Fees:

There are many different fees depending on your specific situation. Listed below are the most common fees associated with suspensions, revocations and driving convictions:

Revocation:

Failure to Appear Suspension:

Family Responsibility Suspension:

Other Revocation (except DUI):

Parking/Tollway/Automated Traffic

Suspension:

First Statutory Summary Suspension

(DUI):

Subsequent Statutory Summary Suspension

(Multiple DUIs):

Safety Responsibility Suspension (Uninsured

Crash):

Zero Tolerance Suspension:

$500

$70

$70

$100

$70

$250

$500

$70

$70

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Getting an Illinois ID Card

If you are not interested in taking up driving and obtaining your driver’s license, it is important that you consider getting an ID card, instead. An ID card is essential, because it is the easiest manner in which someone else can identify you whenever necessary, whether it be by law enforcement, or if you need to provide proof of your identity when traveling outside of Illinois. In Illinois, there is no minimum age to apply for an ID card. There are five-year, 10-year and non-expiring state ID card options available. To get an ID card in Illinois, you must:

Present ONE document to prove your signature, your date of birth and your Social Security Number.

Provide ONE document that proves your state residency in Illinois.

File an application for an Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card, if applicable.

Pay the appropriate fee.

ID Card RenewalIf your current Illinois ID card does not require changes, you can simply present the credential at your Driver Services Facility upon visiting. If you do not have your current ID card, you must prepare the following in order to renew:

ONE document that proves your signature

ONE document that proves your date of birth and your Social Security Number

ONE document that proves your state residency in Illinois, if requesting an address change

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Illinois ID Card For Homeless ResidentsIf you are considered homeless according to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, you are eligible to obtain a free ID card in Illinois. Prepare the following to complete the application process:

Present documentation to proof your legal name, date of birth, Social Security Number and signature. Find the acceptable documentation in this list.

Present a completed Homeless Status Certification form.

ID Card (under age 18):

ID Card (ages 18 to 64):

ID Card (age 65 and older, homeless or

handicapped):

Duplicate (under age 18):

Duplicate (ages 18 to 64):

Duplicate (stolen, and have police report):

Duplicate (age 60 and older lost/stolen):

Corrected (under age 18):

Corrected:

$10

$20

FREE

$10

$20

FREE

FREE

$5

$10

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Vehicle Safety Tips

Before getting behind the wheel, it’s important that your vehicle is prepared for any trip. This means checking the safety features and making any needed changes to your vehicle to guarantee a safe drive.

Emergency Kit One of the essentials to safe driving is having a basic emergency kit available in your vehicle at all times. This kit should include items such as water, extra batteries, rope, a First-Aid kit, matches and a whistle. During the winter months, it is also important to carry items such as blankets, non-perishable foods, extra gloves and socks and a shovel.

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Winter Driving One of the most dangerous times to drive is during the winter months, especially if you live in an area where it snows and is prone to icy roads. Consider these tips below to drive safely during the winter:

Don’t rush!

Roads are often covered in snow and ice after it snows. Instead of driving fast and risking an accident as you hurry to get to your destination, try leaving a few minutes earlier than usual. This will allow you to drive slower and to avoid other dangerous drivers without being late for wherever you need to be.

Don’t panic if you skid or slip

In the event that your vehicle does skid or slip while driving, make sure you do not panic or slam down on your brakes. Instead, apply slow and even pressure on your brakes until you stop. This will prevent you from spinning further out of control.

Check your vehicle

Before you leave your house, make sure your vehicle’s controls, brakes, tank, tires, antifreeze and exhaust are all in working order. It is also important that you remove any ice and snow from your car before you begin driving; this prevents the snow from blocking your view while you drive, or worse, flying off and hitting someone while in motion!

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Drinking And Driving Every year, thousands are killed as a result of drinking and driving. These events can be prevented; it only requires that you plan ahead of time by taking certain steps.

Before you begin drinking, arrange for someone else to be the designated driver. If he or she also becomes intoxicated, it is important that you take a taxi. Never allow someone drunk to drive; instead, take away the keys, and call for alternative transportation.

If you see someone who you suspect is drunk and showing signs of intoxication while driving – such as making wide turns, weaving, swerving, braking erratically or turning abruptly – call 9-1-1 and contact authorities immediately. Also, make sure to avoid that driver on the road to ensure your own safety. This could mean you pulling over until that driver is at a safe distance from your car.

Using Your Phone Driving while using your phone is one of the most dangerous things you can do. During those few seconds that your attention is diverted to your phone, a major accident could occur. Make sure you don’t text, use the internet on your phone or receive calls while you drive to prevent accidents as best as possible.

Things To Avoid Driving isn’t always a relaxing experience. There are certain actions that can be both an annoyance and dangerous to you while driving on the road. These things are often avoidable if you make sure to take the necessary steps toward preventing them, as well as stopping them after you make the discovery.

Car Accidents One way to avoid car accidents is to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive, and will not cause you any problems. To do this, regularly check that your brakes are functioning properly, your tires are inflated and not worn out, and that the steering and suspensions are checked by a mechanic.

Wasting GasIf you drive often, start looking for ways to save on those expensive trips to the pump. Saving on gas is something that is possible if you take a few steps toward ensuring you hold on to some money in the long run.

Some of the ways that you can start saving gas are by turning off the air conditioning, not leaving your engine running or speeding above 60 mph. These things are preventable and are not necessary in order for you to drive; therefore, you can quickly reduce the amount of gas you waste.

Another way to save on gas is to make sure that your vehicle is functioning properly. You can do this by checking that your tires are properly inflated, your engine is well-tuned and that your octane level is the correct amount for your vehicle.

Aggressive DrivingAggressive driving and drivers are both things that should be avoided to prevent on-road aggression or accidents. Aggressive driving is categorized as exhibiting behaviors such as aggressive tailgating, verbal or physical harassment toward another driver or preventing another driver from merging or passing on the road.

If you are an aggressive driver, you are putting others at risk every time you perform any of the above behaviors. When you encounter a frustrating situation on the road, instead of becoming aggressive, take a moment, breathe, and then continue moving.

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Official Forms Official

Forms

Driver Education License Plates Request/Renewal Form

Formal Hearing Request

Electronic Address Change Form

Homeless Status Certification

50-Hour Practice Driving Log / Under Age 18 Applicant

Affidavit/Consent for Minor to Drive

Vision Specialist Report

SOS Hours and Locations

There are several options available for you in case you need to visit or contact a Secretary of State Driver Services Facility.

You may find the locations in Illinois here. Just enter your ZIP code or city, and choose the service you need. The results will display all the closest offices, their addresses, directions, phone numbers, office hours and services available to you. You may also find the hearing officer facility locations here.

Tired of visiting your Driver Services Facility? Now, you can avoid unnecessary trips, and do everything faster and easier. Save time and money by using online services. Many transactions are now available via the state web portal, for your convenience. Go to the Online Services page and review the available transactions the SOS has to offer from the comfort of your own home.

If you need to contact the SOS for any other reason, you can visit the main office or mail necessary correspondence. Find the addresses below:

Driver Services Springfield 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway Springfield, Illinois 62723 Phone: 217-782-6212

Driver Services Chicago 17 N. State St., Ste. 1100 Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: 312-793-1010

You also have the option to fill out a contact form or a complaint form, depending on your needs.

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