What Do I Need to Transfer My Driver’s License to Illinois?

To transfer your driver’s license to Illinois, you have 90 days from the day you establish residency to visit a full-service Secretary of State facility with your valid out-of-state license, documents proving your identity, Social Security number, date of birth, and Illinois address, and enough time to pass a vision screening and a written knowledge test.1Illinois General Assembly. 625 ILCS 5/6-102 You’ll surrender your old license during the visit. Illinois doesn’t allow you to hold licenses from two states at once.2Illinois Secretary of State. How Do I? – New Residents

The 90-Day Deadline

Your out-of-state license stays valid for driving in Illinois for the first 90 days after you become a resident. After that, you need an Illinois license or permit.1Illinois General Assembly. 625 ILCS 5/6-102

Residency is about more than an address on paper. Illinois looks at whether you’ve registered a vehicle here, signed a lease, registered to vote, or enrolled your children in school. Any of those actions can start the clock.2Illinois Secretary of State. How Do I? – New Residents

Your out-of-state license also needs to be currently valid when you transfer. If it’s been suspended, revoked, or expired long enough, you may not qualify for a straightforward transfer and could be treated as a new applicant.

Documents to Bring

Missing paperwork is the number-one reason people get turned away and have to come back. You need original, unexpired documents from four categories.

Proof of written signature. Your current out-of-state driver’s license works. A U.S. passport, Social Security card, or Medicare card also qualifies.

Proof of date of birth. A certified birth certificate or a U.S. passport (current or expired less than two years) are the common choices. Adoption records also qualify.

Proof of Social Security number. Your Social Security card is easiest. A W-2 form or a pay stub showing your full name and full Social Security number also works. If you aren’t eligible for a Social Security number, you’ll sign a declaration and may qualify for a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License instead.

Proof of Illinois residency. A bank statement, mortgage or lease agreement, a utility bill dated within 90 days, or a pay stub with your name and Illinois address will do. A standard license takes one residency document; a REAL ID takes two.

Bring your valid out-of-state license too. You’ll hand it over during the visit, and it doubles as your signature proof.

Standard License or REAL ID?

Since May 7, 2025, boarding a domestic flight or entering certain federal buildings requires a REAL ID-compliant license or another federally accepted ID such as a passport.3Transportation Security Administration. About REAL ID Since you’re already at the facility, upgrading is often worth it. The only extra step is bringing a second residency document.

REAL ID cards carry a gold star in the upper-right corner. A standard Illinois license still covers driving and everyday ID use, but it won’t get you through airport security on its own. Not every document accepted for a standard license qualifies for a REAL ID, so check the Secretary of State’s REAL ID checklist against what you plan to bring.4Illinois Secretary of State. REAL ID Document Checklist

What Happens at the Facility

Transfers can only be processed at full-service Secretary of State facilities. Express facilities and online services don’t handle them.5Illinois Secretary of State. Drivers Frequently Asked Questions

Once your documents pass review, three things happen:

  • A vision screening. You need at least 20/40 acuity with both eyes, with or without corrective lenses. If glasses or contacts get you there, your license will carry a corrective-lens restriction.6Cornell Law School. Illinois Administrative Code Title 92 1030.70 – Driver’s License Testing/Vision Screening
  • A written knowledge test covering Illinois traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. Everyone transferring from out of state takes it. Study materials are free on the Secretary of State’s website, and the test is offered in multiple languages.5Illinois Secretary of State. Drivers Frequently Asked Questions
  • A driving skills test, only if required. If your out-of-state license has been expired a while or the examiner sees a reason to test you on the road, you’ll need to bring a properly insured vehicle.

After you pass, you’ll take a photo and pay the fee. You leave with a temporary paper license that’s valid immediately. The permanent card arrives by mail, typically within 15 business days.

Fees

Driver’s license fees vary by age. The Secretary of State publishes a current fee schedule worth checking before your visit.7Illinois Secretary of State. Driver’s License/State ID Card Fees Payment methods vary by facility, so bring more than one option. Adding a motorcycle classification costs an extra $5 on top of the base fee.

If You Miss the 90-Day Window

Driving past day 90 without an Illinois license means driving without a valid license. Depending on the circumstances, that’s a petty offense with fines up to $500 or a Class B misdemeanor carrying up to 180 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.1Illinois General Assembly. 625 ILCS 5/6-102 A new resident stopped on day 95 isn’t likely looking at jail, but the citation can affect your driving record and insurance.

If your out-of-state license expired during the delay, the straightforward transfer may no longer be available. You could have to apply as a new driver and take both the written and driving tests.

Don’t Forget the Car

The vehicle deadline is tighter than the license deadline. New residents have 30 days to apply for an Illinois title and registration. You’ll file an Application for Vehicle Transaction with supporting documents at a Secretary of State facility.8Illinois Secretary of State. Vehicle Title and License Plates for New Residents

Illinois also requires liability insurance on any vehicle you drive. The state minimums are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $20,000 per accident for property damage.9Illinois Department of Insurance. Auto Insurance Shopping Guide Coverage needs to be in place before you drive on Illinois roads, not just before you visit the facility.

Special Situations

The standard transfer doesn’t cover every driver. A few situations follow different rules.

Commercial licenses. A CDL transfer requires surrendering your out-of-state CDL, paying the CDL transfer fee, self-certifying your medical status (with a medical certificate if your category requires one), and showing proof of legal presence.10Illinois Secretary of State. Commercial Driver’s License FAQs Federal rules generally spare interstate CDL transfers from retesting on skills and knowledge, though your specific endorsements may still trigger testing.

Non-citizens without a Social Security number. A Temporary Visitor Driver’s License is the route for eligible non-citizens who can’t get an SSN. Requirements are heavier: vision screening, written test, and a full road test, plus proof of insurance for the vehicle you bring to the road test and a completed Verification of Residency form.11Illinois Secretary of State. Temporary Visitor Driver’s License A TVDL is valid for four years or the length of your authorized stay, whichever is shorter.

Drivers under 18. Minors face extra requirements, usually including parental or guardian consent and, depending on age, proof of driver education. Illinois graduated licensing restrictions on passengers and nighttime driving may apply to you even if your home state had no similar rules. Call the facility before your visit to confirm what you need.