Illinois · Utility

Moving to Illinois? Here's what to know about getting your license

If you're new to Illinois, you'll typically need to transfer your out-of-state license within a set time window. The fees, identification documents, and whether you need to retake the knowledge test depend on where you're coming from.

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Documents you'll need

Acceptable identity documents

For a REAL ID-compliant license, Illinois accepts identity documents such as a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport or passport card, employment authorization document (USCIS Form I-766), permanent resident card (Form I-551), foreign passport with an approved I-94 form, Naturalization Certificate (N-550/N-570), Citizenship Certificate (N-560/N-561), or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The full Group B list also includes an Illinois driver's license or ID card (current or expired less than one year), a U.S. military driver's license or ID, a Social Security Award Letter for the primary beneficiary, and adoption records. If the identity document carries a name different from your current legal name, bring certified linking documentation: a certified marriage certificate issued by the County Clerk (a church certificate is not accepted), a court-certified name change order, divorce decree, or adoption papers. Photocopies are not accepted. For the complete Acceptable Identification Documents chart, see p. 106 of the manual.

Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2025, Chapter 1: Document/ID Requirements, pp. 6-7; Acceptable Identification Documents chart, p. 106

Acceptable residency documents

REAL ID applicants must present two current residency documents bearing the applicant's name and Illinois address; a standard license requires one. Accepted examples (Group D, p. 106) include a utility bill issued within 90 days (electric, water, refuse, telephone, land/cell, cable, or gas), a deed, title, mortgage, or rental/lease agreement, a bank or insurance statement dated within 90 days, a recent pay stub or electronic deposit receipt, a pension or retirement statement, a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, official mail from a State, County, City, Village, or Federal government agency (such as a Jury Duty notice, Selective Service card, Social Security annual statement, or Voter Registration Card), a credit report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion dated within 12 months, an official school transcript or letter on school letterhead dated within 90 days, or a medical claim or statement of benefits dated within 90 days. Photocopies are not accepted.

Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2025, Chapter 1: Document/ID Requirements, pp. 6-7; Acceptable Identification Documents chart, Group D, p. 106

SSN proof requirements

To prove your full Social Security number, the Secretary of State accepts a Social Security card issued by the SSA, an SSA-1099 or non-SSA-1099 form, a W-2, or a pay stub or printed electronic deposit receipt that displays your name and full SSN. A Medicare card, a U.S. Military driver's license or ID card, and a U.S. Military service record (such as a DD214) also satisfy Group C. If your SSN has already been verified on an existing Illinois driver's license or ID card record through the Social Security Online Verification System, the SOS can use that record as proof. Applicants who are ineligible for a Social Security number sign a declaration of ineligibility instead of presenting an SSN document.

Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2025, Chapter 1: Document/ID Requirements, pp. 6-7; Acceptable Identification Documents chart, Group C, p. 106

Vision test required at issuance

yes

Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2025, Chapter 2: Vision Screening, p. 13

See full Required Identification Documents detail →

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