Illinois driver's license and ID for new residents

Step 1 — Check if your 90 days apply to you

• You moved here to live: if you are moving to Illinois permanently and want to drive, you must apply for an Illinois license within 90 days (SOS — New to Illinois Driving).
• You’re here temporarily: if you are authorized to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis, you may drive on a valid license from your home country (SOS — New to Illinois Driving).
• You’re a student: if you came from another state or country to attend an Illinois college or university, you, your spouse and your children may drive with a valid license from your home state or country (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026). See your first 30 days as an international student.

About the International Driving Permit (IDP). For temporary visitors, the SOS recommends one as an English translation of your home license (SOS — New to Illinois Driving). But Illinois doesn’t recognize it as a license (SOS — How Do I?) or accept it as identification (SOS — Acceptable documents).

Step 2 — Choose your card

• Driver’s license: the basic license for a car is Class D (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026).
• State ID card: a photo ID for Illinois residents, with no minimum age, typically valid for 5 years (SOS — License and ID information).
• Standard or REAL ID: both work for driving and as everyday ID, but only a REAL ID lets you board a domestic flight or enter a military base or secure federal facility (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026). An Illinois REAL ID has a small gold star in the top right corner (SOS — REAL ID).

REAL ID if you come from abroad. The SOS asks for two proofs of your Illinois address and a document proving U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, and you must have a Social Security number (SSN) (SOS — New to Illinois Driving). For a foreign passport, its checklist wants a valid U.S. visa and an approved I-94 for your most recent entry (SOS — REAL ID checklist); see our I-94 guide.

Step 3 — No SSN? The license that replaced the TVDL

Illinois used to issue a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL) to some non-citizens without an SSN. The SOS manual now says: “Effective July 1, 2024, Temporary Visitors Driver’s Licenses (TVDLs) will no longer be issued. If you were eligible for a TVDL, you can apply for a standard driver’s license” (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026).

• No Group C document: for what the SOS calls a “Visa/Non-Visa” license, you don’t bring an SSN document; you sign a declaration that you are, at the time of application, ineligible to obtain an SSN (SOS — Acceptable documents).
• The older page: the SOS still links its TVDL page from its appointments page (SOS — Appointments). For applicants without a visa status, it asks for proof of Illinois residency for the prior 12 months, one current proof dated within 90 days, and a passport or consular ID card, valid or expired up to two years (SOS — TVDL). Ask the SOS which list applies to you today.
• Consular cards: the SOS accepts them only from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico (SOS — Acceptable documents).
• Holding an old TVDL? The SOS online replacement gives you a standard license without the TVDL designation, mailed to you (SOS — TVDL replacement).

If you may be eligible for an SSN, see getting a Social Security number. Questions about your status: free immigration legal help.

Step 4 — Collect one document from each group

The SOS sorts documents into four groups, and one document may count for more than one group (SOS — Acceptable documents). Examples from its list:

• Group A, signature: a foreign passport (current or expired less than 2 years), a green card (I-551), a work permit (Employment Authorization Document, or EAD, I-766), an I-94 with a valid passport, or a major-brand credit or debit card (SOS — Acceptable documents).
• Group B, date of birth: a green card, an EAD, an I-94 with a valid passport, a Refugee Travel Document (I-571), an I-797A notice of action (status change) or a U.S. visa (SOS — Acceptable documents). A foreign passport or birth certificate counts only together with another Group B item (SOS — Acceptable documents).
• Group C, SSN: your Social Security card, a W-2, an SSA-1099, or a pay stub showing your name and full SSN (SOS — Acceptable documents).
• Group D, Illinois address: a lease, a utility bill or bank statement from the last 90 days, a pay stub, a renter’s insurance policy, or official government mail (SOS — Acceptable documents).

A first standard card needs one document from each group; a first REAL ID needs one from A, B and C, and two from D (SOS — Document requirements). Bring paper originals: photocopies and phone pictures are refused, but you can print an electronic statement if the account number shows (SOS — First-time checklist). The SOS checks your SSN with the Social Security Administration and won’t issue the card if it can’t be verified (SOS — License and ID information).

A bank account and a lease give you address papers.

Step 5 — Pick the right office and book

• In person only: you can’t apply online (SOS — New to Illinois Driving).
• Not every office does everything: Express facilities don’t process out-of-state transfers or give written tests (SOS — FAQ). Use the DMV Facility Finder (SOS — Driver Services).
• Appointments: book on the SOS scheduling page (SOS — Appointments); some DMVs require them, so check ahead (SOS — REAL ID).
• Chicago walk-in option: the REAL ID Supercenter at 191 N. Clark St. takes walk-ins only, and the SOS has extended it through the end of 2026 (SOS — REAL ID).
• Age 18 to 20, first license: if you’ve never taken driver education, you must first complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course with an SOS-certified provider and bring its certificate (SOS — Adult Driver Education FAQ).
• Car insurance card: bring it if you’ll take the driving exam (SOS — Checklist for new residents).

Step 6 — Pass the vision, written and road tests

If you move from another country, the SOS says you take vision, written and road exams, even if you already have a license (SOS — New to Illinois Driving). Coming from another U.S. state? SOS pages differ on whether you also take the written test (SOS — New to Illinois Driving; SOS — FAQ), so ask your DMV.

• Vision: you need at least 20/40 vision, with or without glasses (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026).
• Written: traffic signs, signals and pavement markings, plus multiple-choice and true-or-false questions on traffic laws and safety (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026). Study the free Illinois Rules of the Road.
• Language: if you have a language barrier, you can ask in person, Monday through Thursday, to take the written test orally (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026).
• Road test: the car must be registered and insured, with valid plates, and be driven to the office by a licensed driver; only the examiner rides with you (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026). Expect to back up about 50 feet, turn around using an alley, and park and start uphill and downhill (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026).
• Retakes: you get three attempts at each exam within one year of paying your fee (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026).

Step 7 — Leave with paper, then watch your mailbox

• Paper first: your temporary license has your photo, lasts 90 days, and works as your license and proof of ID (SOS — License and ID information).
• The card: if it hasn’t come within 15 business days, check its mailing status or call 217-782-7044 (SOS — License and ID information). The post office won’t deliver it if your address has mail forwarding or a mail hold (SOS — Rules of the Road 2026).
• Moving again: report a new address to the SOS within 10 days (SOS — License and ID information). USCIS has its own rule: see change of address for USCIS and USPS.
• Your car: you have 30 days after establishing residence to apply for an Illinois title and registration, and Illinois requires insurance for anyone who drives (SOS — How Do I?). See buying and insuring a car.