Illinois driver's license
Get your first license in Illinois after moving to the US.
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Illinois and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
A first license
$30 at ages 21 to 68. It is $5 at ages 18 to 20, $5 at ages 69 to 80, $2 at ages 81 to 86, and free at 87 or older.
You pay this when you apply.
If you just arrived in the US
If your license from another state has expired
For a commercial license: a CDL from another state that has been expired for less than 12 months lets you skip the written tests for an Illinois CDL of the same or higher class, except for a hazardous materials endorsement. A CDL expired for 12 months or more means you take the written tests.
Having held a license at any time in any state or country takes you out of the group Illinois law says must be examined, and the law sets no time limit on how long ago that was. The one-year rule in the same statute is about renewing an Illinois license, not about moving in from another state.
If you have no license to transfer
You take the full Illinois examination: an eyesight test, a written test on traffic signs and traffic law, and a driving test where required. The same applies if your license has been expired for more than one year.
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
Every application asks for your Social Security number, unless you are applying for a standard license and are not eligible for one. Access to it is limited: you on written request, Secretary of State staff who need it for issuance or fraud investigation, law enforcement in a civil or criminal investigation, and other entities the Secretary of State authorizes by rule.
The Secretary of State checks your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration to confirm your name, date of birth and number before issuing or renewing a license or state ID.
Tests you take
Eye test
You need a reading of 20/40 or better with both eyes together for a license with no vision restriction, and at least 140 degrees of side vision; glasses or contacts are allowed, but the license then says you must wear them. A reading of 20/41 to 20/70 limits you to daytime driving, and a report from an optometrist, ophthalmologist or physician overrides the facility's reading if you fail or do not want the restriction.
Drive test
Required for a driver's license, unless an exemption applies.
Passing the driving exam is part of the application when one is required for you.
State law always includes the eyesight, road-sign and traffic-law tests in the exam; the driving demonstration itself is not automatic — the examiner decides, and it is mandatory by age only under the senior-renewal rule.
Tries you get on the written test
Your fee covers up to 3 attempts within one year of the date you apply.
If you are caught cheating, you fail that portion and cannot retake the written test for 30 days.
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old, has held a license for that type of vehicle for at least one year, has one year of driving experience with it, and sits in the seat beside you.
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
No one rides along on the road test except you and the examiner. An exception can be made if you need a translator.
The car and its insurance
A liability insurance card is required if you are taking the drive exam.
Where to go
Who gives the tests
An Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility. A high school student can instead take the road test with a Department-certified high school driver education instructor, and an eligible applicant under 18 with a certified instructor at an approved commercial driving school.
Booking an appointment
You can book an appointment at apps.ilsos.gov/dlexamcheck.
Office locations
You can find Illinois Secretary of State DMV facilities at apps.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facility.
Other states
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Every source, quoted18 sources
Every fact on this page is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
“Driver's License – Basic $30 Driver's License – Persons ages 18 to 20 $5 Driver's License – Persons ages 21 to 68 $30 Driver's License – Persons ages 69 to 80 $5 Driver's License – Persons ages 81 to 86 $2 Driver's License – Persons age 87 and older Free”
ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/basicfees.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
“All persons applying for an Illinois CDL who hold a valid CDL or a CDL expired for less than 12 months issued by another state in the same or higher classification and endorsements, excluding a hazardous materials endorsement, for which they are making application are exempt from the written tests set forth in subsections (b) and (c).”
ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/092/092010300000800R.htmlChecked July 27, 2026
“(a) The Secretary of State shall examine every applicant for a driver's license or permit who has not been previously licensed as a driver under the laws of this State or any other state or country, or any applicant for renewal of such driver's license or permit when such license or permit has been expired for more than one year.”
ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/detailsChecked July 23, 2026
“The Secretary of State shall examine every applicant for a driver's license or permit who has not been previously licensed as a driver under the laws of this State or any other state or country, or any applicant for renewal of such driver's license or permit when such license or permit has been expired for more than one year.”
ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.aspChecked July 23, 2026
“Every application shall state the social security number of the applicant; except if the applicant is applying for a standard driver's license and, on the date of application, is ineligible for a social security number”
ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/detailsChecked August 1, 2026
“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/departments/drivers/drivers-license/drlicid.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
“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/commission/jcar/admincode/092/092010300000700R.htmlChecked July 8, 2025
“A road test, if required, as provided in Section 1030.85”
ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/092/092010300000050R.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
“Pass any required exams (vision screening, written, and/or driving).”
ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers-license/drlicid.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
“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/detailsChecked July 23, 2026
“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/detailsChecked July 23, 2026
“person will be prohibited from retaking the written test for a period of 30”
ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/092/092010300000800R.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
“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/detailsChecked July 23, 2026
“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/commission/jcar/admincode/092/092010300000850R.htmlChecked July 27, 2026
“Liability Insurance Card (if taking drive exam)”
ilsos.gov/services/newresidentschecklist.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
“The Department shall exempt a high school student from a facility-administered road test if the student has earned a grade of A or B for an approved high school driver education course, passed a road test administered by a Department-certified high school driver education instructor, and presents an authorization form signed by the driver education instructor exempting the student from the facility-administered road test.”
ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/092/092010300000880R.htmlChecked August 1, 2026
“href="https://apps.ilsos.gov/dlexamcheck/" -> Make an appointment”
ilsos.gov/services/newresidents.htmlChecked July 26, 2026
“SOURCE: https://apps.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facility TITLE: Find a DMV Service (Illinois Secretary of State DMV facility finder) PUBLISHER: Illinois Secretary of State — Driver Services”
apps.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facilityChecked August 4, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Illinois?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.