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Illinois driver's license

Get your first license in Illinois after moving to the US.

The short answer

Getting a first Illinois driver's license means passing a written test and a driving exam.1, 2 Your fee pays for up to 3 attempts at the examination within one year of the date you apply.3 On the road test you ride with the examiner alone, and an exception may be made when you need a translator.4 Every document you present must be current and unexpired.5

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to Illinois and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

A REAL ID compliant driver's license issued to a person who is not a US citizen or permanent resident, or who has an approved asylum application or entered the United States as a refugee, is marked "Limited Term".6

If you have no license to transfer

A REAL ID issued by another state does not transfer to Illinois.7

Documents you need

  • Documents that are still validEvery document you present must be within the acceptable timeframe and must be valid, meaning current and unexpired, unless otherwise noted.5

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

The Secretary of State checks your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration before issuing or renewing a driver's license or state ID card, to verify your name, date of birth, and number.8

Tests you take

Eye test

If you must take the vision screening, you need a binocular (both eyes) acuity reading of 20/40 or better to get a driver's license without vision restrictions.9

Drive test

A road test is part of your application when Section 1030.85 requires one for you.10

  • Your examination covers your eyesight, your ability to read and understand traffic control devices, and your knowledge of safe driving and Illinois traffic law. It may also include an actual demonstration of your ability to control a motor vehicle.2

  • You must pass the driving exam when it is required for you.1

Tries you get on the written test

If you are found cheating on any portion of a written test you are deemed to have failed that portion, and you may not retake the written test for 30 days.11

  • Your fee gives you no more than 3 attempts to pass the examination within one year after the date of application.3

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

While driving, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old, has held a valid license for that vehicle classification for at least one year with one year of driving experience, and occupies the seat beside you.12

What to bring to the drive test

Who comes with you

Nobody may ride along with you and the examiner on the road test, except that when necessary an exception may be made because you need a translator, or for the training and evaluation of facility staff.4

The car and its insurance

Bring your liability insurance card, or other proof of auto insurance, if you are taking the drive exam.13

Where to go

Who gives the tests

A commercial driver training school instructor who is certified by the Department to give road tests can also give your road test.14

Booking an appointment

You can book an appointment at apps.ilsos.gov/dlexamcheck.15

Office locations

Illinois has a facility finder at https://apps.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facility.16

Other states

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Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “Pass any required exams (vision screening, written, and/or driving).”

    ilsos.gov/…/drlicid.html

    Checked August 4, 2026

  2. 2

    “such examination shall include a test of the applicant's eyesight, his or her ability to read and understand official traffic control devices, his or her knowledge of safe driving practices and the traffic laws of this State, and may include an actual demonstration of the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of the operation of a motor vehicle,”

    ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details

    Checked July 23, 2026

  3. 3

    “payment of such fee shall entitle the applicant to not more than 3 attempts to pass the examination within a period of one year after the date of application”

    ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details

    Checked July 23, 2026

  4. 4

    “No persons are allowed to accompany the applicant and examiner on the road test. When necessary, exceptions may be made for any applicants who may require a translator and for the training and evaluation of facility personnel.”

    ilga.gov/…/092010300000850R.html

    Checked July 27, 2026

  5. 5

    “All acceptable documents presented must be within acceptable timeframe, must be valid (current and unexpired) unless otherwise noted.”

    ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x173.pdf

    Checked August 9, 2026

  6. 6

    “Every REAL ID compliant driver's license issued under this Code to an applicant who is not a United States citizen or permanent resident, or an individual who has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered the United States in refugee status, shall be marked "Limited Term".”

    ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details

    Checked July 28, 2026

  7. 7

    “Does a REAL ID transfer from another state? No.”

    ilsos.gov/services/newresidents.html

    Checked August 4, 2026

  8. 8

    “The Secretary of State's office verifies Social Security numbers with the Social Security Administration prior to issuance or renewal of a driver's license or state ID card to verify name, date of birth, and Social Security number.”

    ilsos.gov/…/drlicid.html

    Checked August 27, 2026

  9. 9

    “An applicant who is required to take a vision screening must obtain a binocular (both eyes) acuity reading of 20/40 or better before being issued a driver's license without vision restrictions.”

    ilga.gov/…/092010300000700R.html

    Checked July 8, 2025

  10. 10

    “A road test, if required, as provided in Section 1030.85”

    ilga.gov/…/092010300000050R.html

    Checked August 4, 2026

  11. 11

    “Any person found cheating on any portion of a written test will be deemed to have failed that portion of the test. In addition, that person will be prohibited from retaking the written test for a period of 30 days.”

    ilga.gov/…/092010300000800R.html

    Checked August 27, 2026

  12. 12

    “when accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older, who has had a valid driver's license classification to operate such vehicle for at least one year and has had one year of driving experience with such classification and who is occupying a seat beside the driver.”

    ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details

    Checked August 1, 2026

  13. 13

    “Liability Insurance Card (if taking drive exam)”

    ilsos.gov/services/newresidentschecklist.html

    Checked August 4, 2026

  14. 14

    “passed a road test administered by a commercial driver training school instructor certified by the Department to administer road tests.”

    ilga.gov/…/092010300000880R.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  15. 15

    “href="https://apps.ilsos.gov/dlexamcheck/" -> Make an appointment”

    ilsos.gov/services/newresidents.html

    Checked July 26, 2026

  16. 16

    “SOURCE: https://apps.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facility”

    apps.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facility

    Checked August 4, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in Illinois?

Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.

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