Frequently Asked Questions

When planning to get a motorbike license endorsement, you must get appropriate motorcycle training. The motorbike training course in Illinois is under the authority of the Illinois Department of Transport (IDOT) and is provided free of charge.

The current mandatory course is called Motorcycle Rider Education Course and is organized at facilities authorized by IDOT.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

Helmets are not required when driving a motorcycle in Illinois, however, it is strongly encouraged in order to practice safe riding and keep your driving recordclean on your motorbike drivers license. More information about helmet standards can be obtained from the Illinois Rules of the Road.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

CDL renewalin Illinois is not currently available online, however, the Secretary of State Facility offers the option of making an appointment to renew commercial driving license at one of the 47 CDL authorized facilities across the state. The online appointment is charged with a $60 fee.

You must allow 48 hours to pass in order to be able to find your appointment online. If you fail the test, you may not reschedule for at least 48 hours. At the time of the actual skills test,CDL license applicants must bring a representative vehicle of the proper class to take the test.

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

Taking the test for drivers permit online is not an option in Illinois. All applicants need to adhere to the usual federal instructions and take the test in person at a Driver Services Facility.

If you are a young driver and have attended high school driving education, you are not required to provide any additional driving course certificates prior to taking the test.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois

Drivers who have applied to drive interstate and have obtained this license authorization,are eligible to use their license out of the state of Illinois.

Drivers can check state requirements for CDL licenses at a local Secretary of State Facility. DMV locations at other states can be of help to explain local CDL license requirements.

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

Getting a motorcycle license is mandatory for moped or scooter riders in Illinois.

Riders of smaller motorbikes have the same accountability as regular drivers in terms of road safety. Federal safety rules for titling and registration apply to a scooter if it has a federal safety certification label and a vehicle identification number (VIN).

Scooter or moped drivers must obey all road regulations and traffic laws that rare valid for bicycles.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

To increase driver s safety on the roads of Illinois, the Secretary of State has introduced mandatory high school driving education.

If drivers have not taken a high school driving course, drivers aged between 18 and 20 are required to take six additional hours of an adult drivers education course before obtaining a full drivers license.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois

To get a veteran designation on your identification card, you must prove that you are a veteran under an honorable discharge.

To get an honorable status, visit a local Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office, take a completed DD-214 document or Form 13038 and have it certified with a stamp. Visit any Secretary of State Facility to have the designation put on your ID card.

Costs that you will need to pay for the veteran marking depend on the point of application. No fee is charged during ID card renewal. Designation at any other point of time costs $10. Seniors over 65 can get the veteran designation free of charge.

For more information: How to Apply for an Illinois Identification Card

Minimal standards for obtaining acommercial driving license fall under federal regulations with restricted state authority. When submitting aCDL application in Illinois, you must fulfill certain stricter criteria than the ones that are required for a regular drivers license. Additionally, you must present relevant documents and certificates. To get your CDL license, you are required to:

• Be over 18 to apply for a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) to operate intrastate.
• Be over 21 to operate interstate or to transport passengers.
• Possess either a valid Illinois CDL license or regular drivers license.
• Pay the $50 fee.
• Take all required written, skills and vision tests.
• Provide proof of legal presence.
• Provide Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
• Self-certify your intrastate or interstate medical driving status.

Specific endorsements fees for CDL licenses may vary.

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

Beginner drivers in Illinois must go through two phases whengetting a learners permit. The first phase is for drivers aged 15 and the second phase is for drivers aged 16 and 17.

To complete your learners permit application for the first stage, visit your local Driver Services Facility and follow these steps:

1. Submit application with accompanying documents
2. Pass vision screening, written and driving test
3. Pass high school drivers education
4. Obtain 50 hours of driving practice
5. Pay appropriate fees

The first phase will get you an instruction permit, which you must hold for at least nine months before you take on steps for the second stage. The second phase requires parental approval and entails holding a learners permit for at least nine additional months, in order to be eligible to apply for a full drivers license.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois

The motorcycle driving license in Illinois can be of two different classes:

• Class L motorbike license is for motor-driven cycles with less than 150cc
• Class M motorbike license is for any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle

Drivers who need to get a motorcycle endorsement must successfully pass driving skills test that is adapted to the type of the motorcycle they re riding.

Drivers between ages 16 and 17, must successfully complete a motorcycle course approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Passing the course will obtain them a J09 restriction on their license, which refers to the class M motorcycle license. Drivers over 18, who successfully complete the Motorcycle Rider Education Course, do not need to take additional knowledge exam or driving test at a Secretary of State Facility in order to be designated a class M motorcycle license.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

If your ID card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you may apply for a duplicate ID card, which is issued in the same format as the original ID card. If you are under 60 and have reported it stolen to the police,theduplicate ID card fee will be waived.

To get an ID card copy in Illinois, you need to:

• Visit a Secretary of State Facility.
• Provide proof of identity.
• Pay adequate fee for your category:
  • $20 for regular duplicate
  • $10 for persons under 18
  • No fee is required for military personnel and for victims of theft (police report is required for persons under 60)

For more information: How to Apply for an Illinois Identification Card

If you are under 21, your license will expire three months before you turn 21. Drivers will receive a reminder notice from the Secretary of State usually 60 to 90 days before the instruction permit expires.

Renewals for a learning permit depend on your age and generally require following these steps:

1. Visit a Driver Services Facility
2. Provide proof of identity
3. Pay the appropriate fee
4. Present evidence for passed tests

If you want to check whether the Safe Renewal option is available online, contact DMV locations for details about your driving record.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois

If you are an applicant who has started the process of ID card renewal in Illinois, you only need to submit your current drivers license or ID card to the IL DMV.

If you don t have your drivers license or your ID card at hand, you will need to submit at least one of the following documents:

• One proof of written signature
• Two proofs of residency
• Proof of your date of birth
• Proof of social security number

Once you have acquired all the required documents, visit a Secretary of State Facility and submit them along with a $10ID card renewal fee. Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and homeless persons are fee-exempted. Illinois Rules of the Road book contains a carefully compiled list of all personal documents that can serve for the above purposes.

For more information: How to Apply for an Illinois Identification Card

The medical certificate for a CDL license usually expires two years after the date of issuance. Once it expires, all drivers in Illinois must renew the certificate by contacting an authorized medical examiner.

Drivers are required to submit their certification to the Secretary of State Facility either in person or by using any of the following methods:

• Mail the certificate to:

Secretary of State s Office

Attn: CDL/Medical Card Unit

2701 South Dirksen Parkway Springfield, Il 62723

• Fax to: (217) 558‐5156

• Email scanned copy to: cdlmedicalcard@ilsos.net

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

In order to renew a motorcycle licensein Illinois, make sure to visit a DMV facility and follow these steps:

1. Provide proof of identity
2. Pay $5 renewal fee
3. Pass vision test, if required

Fees are subject to change therefore it is recommended to contact your local Secretary of State Facility to check for any recent fee updates. Further details are available in the Illinois Rules of the Road.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

Illinois residents who are members of the military,can drive with an expired driving license 120 days after they return to the country from their place of service.

When applying for renewal, members of the military are required to provide a Military Deferral Certificate along with their expired drivers license. In order to get a Military Deferral Certificate, you must mail in the following documents:

• Copy of your current drivers license
• Copy of the front and back of your military ID Card
• Proof of out-of-state address

To:

Secretary of State License and Medical Review Unit 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL 62723

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

The Illinois has a graduated drivers license system, which all drivers must follow. The GDL system consists of the following two phases:

• Instruction permit phase: For drivers who are 15 years of age and is valid for two years.
• Initial licensing instruction permit:For drivers who are 16 or 17 years of ageand is valid for one year.

Both phases of the instruction permit need to be held for at least nine months before drivers can apply for regular drivers license.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois

The Secretary of State Facility personnel will take care to process your ID card application as soon as possible. Reminder notices are sent 60 to 90 days before the expiration of the identification card.

Members of the military or other applicants who are stationed our of the state have the privilege of using their expired ID card for as long as 120 days upon their return to the country.

For more information: How to Apply for an Illinois Identification Card

Commercial drivers license renewals in Illinois is done every 4 years. Renewal for CDLs needs to be instigated prior to the expiration date so that drivers are able to drive for commercial purposes with no restrictions or unnecessary breaks. To renew CDL license, follow these steps:

1. Schedule an appointment online, via mail, email or by phone
2. Pay $50 basic renewal fee
3. Pay additional fees for an L or M class
4. Provide proof of legal presence
5. Pass tests for any upgrade of CDL classification
6. Provide medical certificate for a non-excepted interstate driving

Make sure to pass tests to obtain certificates for driving hazardous materials and notify the relevant CDL authorized Secretary of State Facility of any address changes.

It is also recommended that you check for any variances in fees, which may be applicable for vehicles with certain weight and type of transport.

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

In case you have been stationed abroad to reside or work in the military, you can use the extension privilege, which allows for the expired ID card to be used for 120 days upon you return to the country.

To prove your status you are required to carry a Military Deferral Certificate along with the expired copy.

For more information: How to Apply for an Illinois Identification Card

Applicants must be over 18 to apply for a Commercial Driver’s License or a Commercial Learner’s Permit to operate intrastate. They must be at least 21 to operate interstate or to transport passengers.

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

Motorcycle licenses in Illinois are issued to drivers who are at least 16 years old.

Drivers under 18 will get an instruction permit, which is valid for 12 months and is intended for use on Class M motorcycles. Drivers who are 18 years of age are eligible to apply for a 24-month valid instruction permit which is intended for Class L motorcycles.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

The CDL endorsements in Illinois are as follows:

• Hazardous materials
• Double/Triple
• Tank vehicles
• Passenger
• School bus
• Combination Vehicle/Tank and Hazardous materials endorsement
• Charter Bus Endorsement

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

Costs associated with an ID card in Illinois depend on whether you are processing a new ID card application, or whether you are applying for an ID card renewal or an ID card replacement.

For each of these procedures there are fees that are associated with certain age and status categories:

• New ID card:
  • $20 for persons over 18
  • $10 for persons under 18
  • Free of charge for persons over 65, homeless persons or persons with disabilities

• ID card updates or corrections:
  • $10 for persons over 18
  • $5 for persons under 18

• Duplicate ID card:
  • $20 for persons over 18
  • $10 for persons under 18
  • Free of charge:
  • Military members and their families,
  • homeless and persons with disabilities
  • applicants whose ID car has been lost or stolen (a police report is required for person under 60)

For more information: How to Apply for an Illinois Identification Card

Drivers with a learning permit are required to comply with certain restrictions in Illinois, including:

• Drivers must have 50 hours supervised driving out of which ten at night.
• All car passengers must wear safety belts.
• Drivers can only drive limited number of passengers.
• Driver must not use cell phone while driving if under 19 years of age, except in an emergency.
• Drivers must not text and drive.

• Drivers must not have any convictions during the first nine months.
• Drivers must not drive during certain hours at nighttime.

Failing to keep in line with these restrictions may result in having harmful consequences to your driving record.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois

When submitting a CDL application in Illinois, applicants are required to present two specific medical certificates along with other supporting documents, which include:

• Medical Examiner’s Certificate
• Self-certificate for the CDL category that you intend to use:
  • Interstate excepted
  • Interstate non-excepted
  • Intrastate excepted CDL
  • Intrastate non-excepted CDL

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the body that is responsible for delivering all regulations that refer to commercial vehicles. Some physical impairments, which affect driver s ability to safely operate commercial vehicles, may require additional medical evidence.

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

The Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual is issued by the Secretary of State and has useful detailed information about riding tricycles. In order to operate three-wheeled motorcycles in Illinois, drivers will need to pass all required tests and provide certificates as for applications for a regular motorcycle license. You may want to get in touch with the Regional Centers for details on the course requirements and on testing times and dates.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

To get a learning permit in Illinois, you must submit the following documents to your local Driver Services Facility:

• Notification of state approved drivers ed
• $20 learning permit fee
• Proof of identification
• Proof of written signature
• Proof of date of birth
• Proof of social security number
• Proof of adult supervised fifty hours of driving practice, out of which ten must be at night
• Affidavit/Consent for Minor to Drive form

Before you apply, it is recommended to check current fees with DMV Illinois and confirm the most recent updates that may have occurred.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois

Getting a motorcycle license in Illinois requires applicants to submit the following documents:

• Certificate for necessary motorcycle drivers test
• Proof of passed knowledge exam
• Payment of $10 motorcycle license fee
• Proof of age and identity

Motorbike drivers education in Illinois is under the responsibility of the Department of Transport and is free of charge.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

Applicants who want to get a motorbike drivers license for the first time and do not own a valid Illinois drivers license, must complete the following tests:

• Vision screening test
• Basic written exam
• Motorcycle written exam
• Road skills exam

Drivers under 18 will still need to take the drivers exam even if a completion card issued by the IDOT Motorcycle Rider Course is presented. Drivers over 18do not have to take the drive exam if the card is presented upon applying for a motorbike drivers license.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Illinois

Drivers who receive aDUI convictionin Illinois are subject to face stricter penalties than the ones drivers may face with a regular operator drivers license.Penalties include revoked driving privileges and CDL license suspension under the Statutory Summary Suspension, which rules the following suspensions:

• First offense: One year suspension
• Second offense: Lifetime suspension

In addition to attending a hearing and passing alcohol awareness program, drivers will also need to pay high reinstatement fees. Check with a Secretary of State Facilityto see if you re required to enroll in the Monitoring Device Driving Permit program.

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

An IllinoisID card is an officially recognized document you can use in all official transactions where you need to submit a proof of your identity. ID cards can best serve as photo identification.

There is no age limit to obtain an identification card in Illinois.

For more information: How to Apply for an Illinois Identification Card

The knowledge test for a learning permit is done in front of computers using random questions. The knowledge tests are in English only and can be partially completed by the applicant in an audio format.

Usual guidelines for passing score on a written test extend to 80 percent of the total attainable score. Applicants need to correctly answer four-fifths of the total number of questions to obtain a passing grade.

Practice tests are available online in order to ensure you are well prepared to pass the knowledge exam on a satisfactory level.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois

The education required to obtain adrivers permit in Illinois is arranged under the Cooperative Driver Testing Program, which authorizes driving instructors to provide driving skills, whereas tests are administered by the Office of the Secretary of State in Driver Services Facilities.

Beginner drivers must:

• Get a combined grade of classes and road skills.
• Pass theknowledge exam.
• Pass avision screening test.
• Pass an instructor-administered behind-the-wheel road test.

Once drivers have completed all the required tests they will become eligible for applying to get adriving permit.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois

Drivers applying for acommercial driving licenseare required to pass certaintests including:

• Vision screening test
• Knowledge test
• General (Core) Knowledge written test is a general CDL test required of all applicants to obtain a CLP or transfer a CDL
• Classification (combination) test
• Air Brake test
• Specialized Endorsement Knowledge test depending on the type of vehicle
• Skills and Drive Test
• Drive/Road Tests

On top of the basic testing requirements for license classes or endorsements, drivers may also need to fulfill special testing rules and restrictions which refer to third-time fail rule, CDL transfers, CDL renewal and to add or renew a hazardous material endorsement.

For more information: lllinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Application

The expiration date of your ID card depends on your age and citizen status in the state. It is customary to receive a reminder notice from a Secretary of State Facility about two to three months ahead.

Illinois identification cards for citizens over 18 are usually valid for five years.

Senior persons over 65 can get ID card with unlimited use.

Persons with disabilities or homeless persons have the advantage of getting an ID card, which is valid for ten years.

For more information: How to Apply for an Illinois Identification Card

Identification cards in Illinois can be obtained at your local Secretary of State Facility.

If you suspect your ID card has been stolen, filing a police report is recommended. Out-of-state applicants can use their old ID card for 120 days when they come back to the country.

For more information: How to Apply for an Illinois Identification Card

All drivers under the age of 18 must provide parental consent to obtain their learning permit. To provide this approval, parents or legal guardians need to complete and sign the Affidavit/Consent for Minor to Drive form.

The initial consent may be canceled later at any time or for any reason by getting in touch with the Secretary of State. Driving privileges will not be reinstated until the consent is given again or until the driver turns 18.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Illinois