Where to renew your license in Chicago
In Illinois, you renew your driver's license through the Secretary of State's office, not through the city of Chicago itself. The Secretary of State runs all driver's license services statewide. You have three ways to renew: in person at a Driver Services facility, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Illinois Secretary of State website.
Chicago has multiple Driver Services facilities where you can renew in person. The main locations are downtown on West Madison Street and on the North Side on North Elston Avenue. There are also facilities in surrounding areas like Des Plaines and Schaumburg. Each facility has different hours and wait times, so checking the Secretary of State's website for your nearest location and current hours before you go saves time.
If you renew in person, bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. You will also need to pass a vision test and have your photo taken. The renewal takes about 30 minutes once you are called, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois driver's licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew up to one year before expiration through the Secretary of State.
- Online renewal through the Illinois Secretary of State website is the fastest option if your license is not suspended, revoked, or expired for more than one year.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Services facility requires your current license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and a vision test.
- Mail renewal is available only if you have a valid, unexpired license and meet specific conditions—the Secretary of State website lists which licenses may have access to.
- Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after in-person or mail renewal; online renewal is faster but still takes several days.
Renewing online through the Illinois Secretary of State
Online renewal is the fastest and most convenient option if you are may be able to access. You can renew online if your current license is valid and not suspended or revoked, and if it has not been expired for more than one year. You will need your current license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).
Go to the Illinois Secretary of State website and select the online renewal option. The process takes about 10 minutes. You will answer questions about your address, any name changes, and whether your vision has changed. You will not need to take a new photo or vision test if you renew online—the state uses your existing photo from your current license.
After you complete the online renewal, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to use your current license until the new one arrives. There is a fee for online renewal, which varies depending on how long your new license is valid for (typically 4 or 8 years).
Renewing by mail from Chicago
Mail renewal is available for some drivers but not all. You can renew by mail only if your current license is valid and unexpired, and if you meet other conditions set by the Secretary of State. Not all license types are may be able to access for mail renewal—for example, if you have a CDL (commercial driver's license) or certain restrictions on your license, you must renew in person.
To renew by mail, contact the Secretary of State's office or check their website to confirm your license is may be able to access. If it is, you will receive a renewal notice in the mail before your license expires. The notice includes a form and instructions for what to send back. You typically mail your current license, the completed form, and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address provided.
Processing mail renewals takes longer than in-person or online renewal—usually 4 to 6 weeks from the time the Secretary of State receives your materials. Your new license will be mailed to you after processing. During this time, you can still drive with your current license as long as it has not yet expired.
What happens if your license has already expired
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew it—you must explore for a new license instead. This requires an in-person visit to a Driver Services facility. You will need to bring proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of residency, your Social Security number, and proof of your Illinois residency status.
The process for a new license is similar to renewal: you will take a vision test, have a new photo taken, and answer questions about your driving history. The fee for a new license is different from a renewal fee and is typically higher. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew it using any of the three methods (online, by mail, or in person). You do not need to explore for a new license. Check the expiration date on your current license to determine which path applies to you.
Fees and how long the new license lasts
Illinois driver's licenses are valid for either 4 or 8 years, depending on your age and the type of license. When you renew, you choose how long you want your new license to be valid for—4 years or 8 years. The renewal fee is different for each option, with the 8-year license costing more upfront but less per year.
The exact fee amounts change periodically and vary based on your age and license type. Check the Secretary of State's website for current fees before you renew. If you renew online or by mail, you will see the fee amount before you complete the transaction. If you renew in person, the facility will tell you the fee when you arrive.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file with the Secretary of State. If you have moved recently, update your address before you renew so your new license goes to the correct location. You can update your address online through the Secretary of State's website or at a Driver Services facility.
Renewing your license if you have moved out of state
If you have moved out of Illinois but still have a valid Illinois driver's license, you can renew it by mail or online before it expires. Once you move to another state and establish residency there, you should get a driver's license from that state instead of renewing your Illinois license.
If you are still in the process of moving or are unsure about your residency status, you can renew your Illinois license one more time. However, when you renew, you must provide a current address—either your Illinois address if you still have one, or an address where you can receive mail. The Secretary of State may ask for proof of residency if the address you provide does not match their records.
What to do if your renewal is delayed or you have other issues
If you renewed online or by mail and your new license has not arrived within 10 business days, contact the Secretary of State's office. You can call their customer service line or visit a Driver Services facility in person. Bring your confirmation number (if you renewed online) or your receipt (if you renewed by mail) so they can look up your renewal status.
If your current license is expiring soon and your new one has not arrived, you can request a temporary paper license at a Driver Services facility. This allows you to drive legally while you wait for your new license to arrive in the mail. You will need to show proof that you have renewed (such as your confirmation number or receipt) and your current license.
If you notice an error on your new license after it arrives—such as a misspelled name, wrong address, or incorrect vision restriction—you can request a correction. Contact the Secretary of State's office to report the error. Some corrections can be made by mail, while others may require an in-person visit to a Driver Services facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Illinois license online if I wear glasses or contacts?
Yes. When you renew online, you answer a question about whether your vision has changed since your last license was issued. If your vision correction needs have not changed, you can renew online. If your vision has changed significantly, you may need to renew in person so you can take a new vision test.
What if I have a suspended or revoked license?
You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license through any method. You must contact the Secretary of State's office to find out why your license is suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to restore it. Once it is restored, you can then renew it.
How long does it take to get my new license if I renew in person?
Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after your in-person renewal. You can continue to drive with your current license until the new one arrives. Wait times at Driver Services facilities vary, but plan for 30 minutes to an hour from the time you arrive until you are finished.
Can I renew my license if my name has changed?
Yes, but you will need to provide documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you renew online or by mail, include a copy of the name change document with your renewal materials. If you renew in person, bring the original or certified copy to the Driver Services facility.
What if I lost my current license?
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must visit a Driver Services facility in person to report it lost and request a replacement. Bring proof of identity and proof of residency. You will receive a temporary paper license and your new license will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days.