Driver's License in Illinois

Researched from official sources · May 29, 2026

A first standard (Class D) driver's license in Illinois is issued by the Illinois Secretary of State, not a DMV.

Every first-time applicant must appear in person at a Driver Services facility to present original documents, pass the vision and written exams, and have a photo taken. You leave with a temporary paper license valid for 90 days; the permanent card is mailed afterward. A new resident may drive on a valid prior license for 90 days, then must surrender it.

Estimated time

One in-person facility visit for the tests, photo, and document check; the permanent card is then mailed within 15 business days

Cost

$5–$30

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Every US state issues its own driver's license through its own licensing agency; there is no single national license. You apply in the state where you live.
  • All states issue licenses under the federal REAL ID Act standard. From May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant license — marked with a star in the upper corner — or another federally accepted ID is required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.
  • You can choose a standard license or a REAL ID-compliant license. A standard license still lets you drive legally, but it is not accepted as federal identification at airport security.
  • First-time applicants generally apply in person and must show proof of identity, a Social Security number (or proof you are not eligible for one), and proof that you live in the state.
  • If you are moving from another state or from abroad, you usually must transfer to your new state's license within a set period after you become a resident.

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Gather Your Original Documents

    1. Collect one proof-of-identity document (Group A), one proof-of-signature document (Group B), one full-SSN document if you are SSN-eligible (Group C), and two proofs of Illinois residency (Group D)
    2. Make sure every document is a hard-copy original or certified copy and is current and not expired
    3. If you are ineligible for a Social Security number, be ready to sign a declaration of ineligibility at the facility instead of presenting a Group C document

    💡 Tip: The facility needs one document each from Groups A, B, and C plus two from Group D. Mobile-phone photographs of documents and photocopies are not accepted, so bring originals.

  2. 2

    Obtain an Instruction Permit

    If you have never been licensed before

    1. An applicant who has never been licensed first obtains an instruction permit, which legally allows supervised practice driving
    2. Pass the vision and written exams for the license classification you are seeking
    3. An applicant age 18 or older is issued a permit valid for one year

    💡 Tip: While holding the permit you may drive only with a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult who is age 21 or older, holds a valid license, has at least one year of driving experience, and sits in the front passenger seat beside you.

  3. 3

    Pass the Vision, Written, and Road Exams

    1. Vision is screened at the facility; you may instead submit a Vision Specialist Report from a licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, or physician dated within six months of your visit
    2. The written knowledge exam has 35 questions, 15 of which cover traffic-sign identification
    3. The road exam grades starting, backing, turning about, parking and starting uphill and downhill, and vehicle control; bring proof of vehicle liability insurance to take it

    ⚠️ Watch out: If you need corrective lenses, the license carries a restriction and the lenses must be worn when driving. A road test may be denied or discontinued due to unsafe road, weather, or vehicle conditions — reschedule if conditions are unsafe on the day.

  4. 4

    Have Your Photo Taken and Receive a Temporary License

    1. Have your photo taken and pay the fee for your age band at the facility
    2. A new resident must surrender all out-of-jurisdiction licenses and ID cards before an Illinois license is issued
    3. You leave with a temporary secure paper license that you use until the permanent card arrives by mail

    💡 Tip: "You will leave the facility with a temporary and secure paper driver's license or ID card that is valid for 90 days and will serve as your proof of identification."

  5. 5

    Receive Your Permanent License by Mail

    1. Your information is sent to a centralized secure facility in Illinois for fraud and document checks
    2. After checks pass, the permanent license is printed and mailed to the address on file within 15 business days
    3. Keep your address current with the Secretary of State and check mailing status online or by phone if it does not arrive

    💡 Tip: The public Illinois Secretary of State helpline for license and REAL ID questions is (800) 252-8980.

Local Tips from the Community

  • Bring hard-copy originals or certified copies of every document. Mobile-phone photographs of documents and photocopies are not accepted at the facility.
  • Document groups are lettered A, B, C, and D. The facility needs one document satisfying each of Groups A, B, C, and D — or one each from Groups A, B, and C plus two from Group D.
  • If you are eligible for a Social Security number you must show one document with your full SSN. An applicant ineligible for an SSN instead signs a declaration of ineligibility at the time of application.
  • Keep your address current with the Secretary of State so the mailed permanent card reaches you; you can check mailing status online or by phone.

What Could Go Wrong

Present your documents at the facility: You brought photocopies or phone photos instead of originals

Recovery: These are rejected — only hard-copy originals or certified copies are accepted. Return with original documents that are valid and current. Confirm you have one document for each of Groups A, B, and C and two for Group D before you travel back.

Take the road (driving) exam: You did not bring proof of vehicle liability insurance

Recovery: Proof of vehicle liability insurance is required to take the road test, and the test cannot proceed without it. Bring it on the day of the exam. Road tests may also be denied or discontinued due to unsafe road, weather, or vehicle conditions.

Wait for the permanent license in the mail: The permanent card has not arrived

Recovery: The permanent card is mailed within 15 business days after identity and fraud checks pass; the temporary paper license valid for 90 days covers the interim. An out-of-date address means the card may not arrive, so keep your address current with the Secretary of State and check mailing status online or by phone.

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
Instruction Permit (Class D) $20 Paid at the Driver Services facility Required for an applicant who has never been licensed before being licensed
Driver's License, ages 18–20 $5 Paid at the Driver Services facility Standard (non-commercial) Class D license fee for this age band
Driver's License, ages 21–68 $30 Paid at the Driver Services facility Standard (non-commercial) Class D license fee — the most common adult new-applicant band
Renewal Permit (Class D) $10 Paid at the Driver Services facility Charged when an instruction permit is renewed
REAL ID upgrade $0 N/A No additional fee when a REAL ID is issued together with a standard license transaction
Instruction Permit (Class D) $20
Payment:
Paid at the Driver Services facility
Notes:
Required for an applicant who has never been licensed before being licensed
Driver's License, ages 18–20 $5
Payment:
Paid at the Driver Services facility
Notes:
Standard (non-commercial) Class D license fee for this age band
Driver's License, ages 21–68 $30
Payment:
Paid at the Driver Services facility
Notes:
Standard (non-commercial) Class D license fee — the most common adult new-applicant band
Renewal Permit (Class D) $10
Payment:
Paid at the Driver Services facility
Notes:
Charged when an instruction permit is renewed
REAL ID upgrade $0
Payment:
N/A
Notes:
No additional fee when a REAL ID is issued together with a standard license transaction
Total: $65

FAQ

General

Can a first-time applicant do everything online?

No. A first-time applicant must appear in person at a Driver Services facility to present documents, take the photo, and pass the required tests. There is no online-only path to a first Illinois driver's license.

Why are photocopies and phone photos of my documents rejected?

The facility accepts hard-copy originals or certified copies only. Mobile-phone photographs of documents and photocopies are not accepted. Documents must also be valid — current and not expired — unless otherwise noted. Bringing a copy instead of an original is one of the most common reasons an application is turned away, so confirm you have originals before your visit.

When does the permanent license arrive?

You leave the facility with a temporary, secure paper license valid for 90 days that serves as proof of identification. Your information is sent to a centralized secure facility in Illinois; after fraud and document checks confirm your identity, the permanent card is printed and mailed within 15 business days. Keep your address current with the Secretary of State so it reaches you.

Is a REAL ID mandatory?

No. A standard Illinois license remains valid for driving and state purposes. A REAL ID-compliant license is an optional upgrade needed only to board domestic flights or enter secure federal facilities without an alternative federal ID. Since 7 May 2025 the TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant license, a U.S. passport, or another federally approved ID for those purposes.

I just moved to Illinois — can I keep driving on my old license?

Yes. As a new resident you may continue to drive on your valid license from your previous state or country for 90 days after establishing Illinois residency, which gives you time to complete the Illinois application. You must then visit a facility, surrender all out-of-jurisdiction licenses and ID cards, and pass at least a vision screening and the written exam; a drive exam may also be required.

How much does the license cost for a typical adult applicant?

The instruction permit is $20.00, and the standard driver's license is $30.00 for ages 21–68 or $5.00 for ages 18–20. A REAL ID upgrade adds no fee when issued with the license transaction.

After This Process

  • → REAL ID upgrade — an optional federal-standard upgrade added at no extra fee when issued with the license; needed to board domestic flights or enter secure federal facilities
  • → Vehicle title and registration — a separate process; a new resident has 30 days after establishing residence to apply if the vehicle is registered in another jurisdiction

Sources

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6 sources cited last accessed 2026-05-29

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  1. T1
    Illinois Secretary of State — Driver's License 2026-05-29

    Every first-time applicant must appear in person at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility, present original identity documents, pass the required tests, and have a photo taken. A first-time applicant cannot complete the process online. The road exam grades starting, backing, turning about, parking and starting uphill and downhill, and vehicle control; proof of vehicle liability insurance is required to take the road test, and road tests may be denied or discontinued due to unsafe road, weather, or vehicle conditions.

    ilsos.gov
  2. T1
    Illinois Secretary of State — Central Issuance 2026-05-29

    At the facility the applicant leaves with a temporary secure paper driver's license valid for 90 days that serves as proof of identification. The information is sent to a centralized secure facility in Illinois; after fraud checks confirm identity, the permanent license is printed and mailed to the address on file within 15 business days. The applicant must keep their address current to receive the permanent card.

    ilsos.gov
  3. T1
    Illinois Secretary of State — Fees 2026-05-29

    Published fees: Instruction Permit (Class D) $20.00; Driver's License ages 18–20 $5.00; Driver's License ages 21–68 $30.00; Renewal Permit (Class D) $10.00. A REAL ID is issued at no additional fee when issued together with a standard license transaction. Figures quoted exactly as published with no synthesized amounts; senior age bands (69+) exist on the schedule but are out of scope for a first-time adult applicant. Fee schedule PDF: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a229.pdf

    ilsos.gov
  4. T1
    Illinois Secretary of State — REAL ID portal 2026-05-29

    Document groups: one proof of identity (full legal name, date of birth, lawful status), one full-SSN document for SSN-eligible applicants, two proofs of Illinois residency, and one proof of written signature. All documents must be valid and current; hard-copy originals only — no mobile-phone photos and no photocopies. An applicant ineligible for an SSN signs a declaration of ineligibility at the time of application.

    realid.ilsos.gov
  5. T1
    Illinois Secretary of State — New Resident 2026-05-29

    A new resident may continue to drive on a valid license from their previous state or country for 90 days after establishing Illinois residency. The new resident must visit a facility, surrender all out-of-jurisdiction licenses and ID cards before issuance, and pass a vision screening and the written exam; a drive exam may be required. No blanket drive-exam waiver for new residents holding a valid prior license is published. Vehicle title and registration is a separate process with a 30-day window.

    ilsos.gov
  6. T1
    Transportation Security Administration — REAL ID 2026-05-29

    Since 7 May 2025 the TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant license, a U.S. passport, or another federally approved ID to board commercial aircraft and enter secure federal facilities. A REAL ID is optional; acceptable alternatives include a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, a DHS Trusted Traveler card, and military IDs.

    tsa.gov
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