Illinois drivers can renew their licenses online, in person, or by mail, usually every four years. Renewal fees range from free to $30, depending on the driver's age.
The Illinois Secretary of State's office should mail you a driver's license renewal reminder 60-90 days before your license is set to expire. This reminder will contain all of the information you need to renew your license, including whether you qualify to renew online.
Are you anxious about the Illinois driver's license
renewal process? Don't worry—Jerry
is here to help. A car insurance
comparison app and licensed broker, Jerry can tell you everything you need to know about renewing your driver's license and finding cheap car insurance in Illinois
. 
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowWhen to renew your driver’s license in Illinois
If you're an Illinois resident between 21 and 80, you must renew your driver's license every four years. Your license's expiration date should always fall on your birthday. When in doubt, you can find the expiration date on the front of your driver's license card in the section labeled "4b."
For drivers under 21, their driver's license will expire three months after their 21st birthday. Drivers ages 81-86 must renew their licensure every two years, and drivers 87 and older must do so every year.
How to renew your driver’s license in Illinois
Drivers can renew an Illinois driver's license online, in person, or by mail. However, not all drivers are eligible to renew online.
Renew your license online
If you qualify to renew your Illinois driver's license online, your renewal notice will tell you so. You should receive this notice 90 days before your license is set to expire. It will include a PIN that's necessary for the online renewal process, so make sure not to lose your renewal notice.
You are eligible for online renewal if you:
Received a renewal notice containing the required PIN
Do not need to take a written exam to renew your license
Do not need to take a road test to renew your license
Plan to provide information that matches the information on your current driver's license
Only a change of address is permitted on the online renewal application. If other details have changed, such as your name, you must renew your driver's license in person.
Once you've submitted your online renewal application, you will be able to print a temporary credential to use until you receive your new license in the mail.
Renew your Illinois driver's license online at the Secretary of State website
. Renew your license in person
To renew your driver's license in person in Illinois, you must visit a Secretary of State driver's license facility. All drivers can renew their licenses in person, and some are required to do so.
Plan for an in-person Illinois DMV license renewal if you:
Want to apply for a REAL ID driver's license
Are renewing an instruction permit or commercial learner's permit
Have had your license and privilege to obtain a driver's license suspended, revoked, canceled, or refused
Are not between the ages of 22 and 74
Have had an expired license for more than one year
Were prescribed corrected lenses since your last renewal
Want to change any information on your license other than your address
Currently hold a driver's license in another state
Hold a visa status temporary visitor driver's license
Hold a disabled or homeless ID card
Keep in mind that all drivers renewing their licenses in person must undergo vision screening. After renewing your license in person, you will receive a temporary license that is valid for 90 days.
Renew your license by mail
Your driver's license renewal letter will indicate whether you qualify to renew your license by mail. If so, all you have to do is fill out the renewal form and mail it in.
How long does it take to renew an Illinois driver’s license?
Regardless of how you renew your Illinois license, you should receive your new license within 15 days.
You can check the mailing status of your new license on the Secretary of State website
. If the postal office returns your license for any reason, you must obtain it in person at a Secretary of State facility. Bring a valid ID with you if this happens. How to save money on car insurance in Illinois
Now that you're up to speed on renewing an Illinois driver's license, it's time to figure out your car insurance policy.
You're in luck: Illinois' car insurance
is relatively inexpensive compared to the rest of the country. Even so, you still deserve the lowest possible rates for the best possible coverage. And that's where Jerry
comes in handy. The Jerry app collects quotes from more than 50 top insurance companies, including Travelers, Nationwide, and Progressive—all in seconds. The app even helps you cancel your old policy once you’ve chosen a new one.
“This app is all about savings! Jerry
just saved me $193/month on my car insurance. They literally found me the cheapest policies out there and with better coverage! Seriously, just sit back and watch Jerry work its magic.” —Rachel B.
FAQs
It depends on how long your license has been expired. If your license expired less than one year ago, you might still qualify to renew online. If it's been longer than a year, you should renew in person at a Secretary of State licensing facility.
Your driver's license renewal notice should detail any documents you'll need to renew your Illinois driver's license. Common requirements include documents that prove your date of birth, Social Security number, and place of residence.
4.7
