Illinois DMV Services Provided by Secretary of State Office

In Illinois, the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) now manages the functions typically handled by DMV in many other states. This includes issuing and replacing driver’s licenses, State ID cards, and title and vehicle registration documents, license plate stickers, as well as other driving-related services. 

Finding a DMV Location in Illinois

To conduct driving and vehicular related business in Illinois, visit a Secretary of State Facility, located in over 100 cities all across the state including, DMV Express Chicago, Springfield, Rockford, Joliet, and East Saint Louis. Use the online Secretary of State Facility Finder to find the office nearest you. You can make an appointment and save time when you go in. 

Find DMV locations in Illinois near you.

Secretary of State Facility offices provide drivers and vehicle owners with:

•    driver’s licenses and learner’s permits for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles.

•    written driving knowledge and road skill tests

•    Illinois State Identification Cards

•    vehicle registration and title documents

•    driver’s license status check

•    driver’s license reinstatement

•    license plate renewal and replacement

•    mandatory insurance verification 

Online DMV Services in Illinois

The Secretary of State Office in Illinois provides web access to many services for drivers and vehicle owners including license renewal and vehicle registration. 

You can save time and frustration by conducting your Illinois DMV business online, if possible. However, not all transaction can be done online. For example, driver’s license tests require an in-person visit to a Secretary of State Facility. 

Third-Party DMV Service Providers in Illinois

Illinois hires third-party vendors who can provide many driving-related services for Illinois residents. These include:

•    Driving records needed for employment

•    Driver’s License status check

•    International Driving Permits

•    Changes of name and personal information

Getting a Driver’s License in Illinois

If you are applying for a new license, you must go in-person to a secretary of State Facility and show identification and have a photograph taken. You are then required to surrender valid driver’s licenses from other states along with state ID cards.

After paying a fee, you next take vision and written driving tests and finally a road skill test with a State of Illinois DMV staff member. A temporary paper license is then issued for you to use until the permanent license arrives by mail in approximately 15 days. 

Illinois Graduated Driver’s License Program

If you are under age 21, you must also comply with the Illinois Graduated Driver’s License program which requires young drivers to attain their license in stages, starting with 50 hours of driving supervised by a licensed driver over age 21. Ten hours of driving must be at night. Successful completion of a driver’s education course is also a requirement. 

Student drivers can check on the filing status of their Driver’s Ed completion certificate by using the Secretary of State’s online Driver’s Education Course Completion Check service. Just enter the number of the student’s instruction permit. The certificate must be on-file before applying for a license if you are under 21 years old.