You can renew your Illinois driver's license online if your license is not expired more than three years and you meet a few other conditions
The Illinois Secretary of State lets you renew online through their website without visiting a facility, as long as your current license is still valid or expired less than three years ago. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $30 for a four-year renewal or $95 for an eight-year renewal, and you pay by credit or debit card. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you need to change your name or address on your ID, if you wear corrective lenses and your vision prescription has changed, or if you are over 81 years old. Those situations require an in-person visit to a Secretary of State facility.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your current license expired less than three years ago and has not been suspended or revoked.
- You will need your current Illinois driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee.
- The renewal fee is $30 for four years or $95 for eight years, paid at the time of renewal on the Secretary of State website.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you do not receive a temporary license when renewing online.
- If you need to change your address, name, or vision information, or if your license has been suspended, you must renew in person at a Secretary of State facility.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather your current Illinois driver's license and have it in front of you. You will need your license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log into the renewal system. Have a valid credit or debit card ready to pay the renewal fee at checkout.
Check that your current address on file with the Secretary of State is correct. If you have moved since your license was issued, you cannot fix that online — you will need to visit a facility in person to update your address before you can renew. The same applies if you have changed your name since your license was issued.
Steps to renew online through the Secretary of State website
Go to the Illinois Secretary of State website and find the driver's license renewal section. Click on the online renewal option and enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your current license information and ask you to confirm it is correct.
Review the vision and medical history questions on the form. Answer honestly — if your vision has changed or you have developed a medical condition that affects your ability to drive, you must renew in person instead. Once you confirm your information and answer the health questions, you will choose your renewal term (four or eight years) and proceed to payment.
Enter your credit or debit card information and complete the transaction. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Keep this number for your records. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
When you cannot renew online and must visit in person
If your license expired more than three years ago, the online system will not let you renew. You must visit a Secretary of State facility to renew in person. The same applies if your license has been suspended or revoked for any reason — the online system will reject your renewal attempt, and you will need to resolve the suspension or revocation before you can renew.
Address changes, name changes, and corrections to your vision or medical information all require an in-person visit. If you wear corrective lenses and your prescription has changed, you must bring proof of your new prescription to a facility. If you are over 81 years old, Illinois law requires you to renew in person every two years.
What happens after you submit your online renewal
The Secretary of State processes online renewals in the order they are received. Your new license will be printed and mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You do not receive a temporary license or a paper receipt when you renew online, so if you need to prove your license status before the new one arrives, you can print your confirmation email.
If you do not receive your new license within 10 business days, contact the Secretary of State to check the status. Have your confirmation number ready. If there was an error in your address or the mail was lost, they can reissue or correct your license.
Renewal fees and payment options
A four-year renewal costs $30 and an eight-year renewal costs $95. You pay by credit card or debit card at the time you submit your renewal online. There are no additional fees for online renewal — the cost is the same whether you renew in person or online.
The Secretary of State accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Your card will be charged when ready when you complete the transaction. If your payment is declined, the renewal will not go through and you will need to try again with a different card or visit a facility to renew in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. The online system will reject your renewal if your license is suspended or revoked. You must visit a Secretary of State facility in person to renew, and you may need to resolve the suspension first depending on the reason.
What if I moved and need to change my address?
You cannot change your address online during renewal. Visit a Secretary of State facility in person to update your address and renew your license at the same time. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease.
Do I get a temporary license when I renew online?
No. You do not receive a temporary license or paper receipt. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you need proof of your license status before it arrives, you can print your confirmation email.
How long does online renewal take?
The online form takes about 10 minutes to complete. Processing and mailing takes 7 to 10 business days. The entire process from submission to receiving your new license in the mail is typically two weeks.
What if my vision has changed since my last license?
You must renew in person if your vision prescription has changed. Bring proof of your new prescription to a Secretary of State facility. Online renewal does not allow you to update vision information.