How Do You Get an Illinois Driver's License as a New Resident?

The Illinois rule in one table

| Driving clock | 90 days on a valid home-state or home-country license | | Residency condition | An Illinois license or ID card is obtainable only if becoming a legal resident | | Application | Secretary of State facility visit, surrender the out-of-state license | | Exams | Vision screening, written exam, and possibly a drive exam | | Identification | Must verify full name, date of birth, Social Security number, Illinois residency, and written signature | | Fee | The standard license fee applies: 30 dollars for most adults aged 21 to 68 | | Separate tracks | Commercial driver's license transfers and Temporary Visitor Driver's Licenses are separate tracks, outside this guide |

What makes Illinois different

Illinois is the two clocks, two guides state for new residents, and this guide covers only the license clock. The 90-day clock runs on driving on your out-of-state license. The 30-day title and registration clock runs from establishing residence and is covered in the companion guide, New Resident Vehicle Title and Registration in Illinois. The two clocks have different triggers and must never be merged into one deadline.

The second Illinois difference for the license is the surrender and exam package. A new resident license is not a mail-in exchange: it requires a facility visit, surrender of the out-of-state license, and a vision screening, a written exam, and possibly a drive exam, with identification verifying full name, date of birth, Social Security number, Illinois residency, and written signature. An International License is not valid in Illinois. Commercial driver's license transfers follow federal rules and Temporary Visitor Driver's Licenses serve residents who cannot obtain a Social Security number; both are separate tracks outside this guide.

The process, step by step

1. Confirm you are becoming a legal resident of Illinois. An Illinois license is obtainable only on that condition.
2. Use your valid home-state or home-country license for up to 90 days while you prepare the application.
3. Visit a Secretary of State facility with identification verifying your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, Illinois residency, and written signature.
4. Surrender the out-of-state license and pass the vision screening, the written exam, and a drive exam if required.

Related Illinois guides

See New Resident Title and Registration in Illinois and Change of Address in Illinois, and the full hub at Illinois Admin Process Directory.

Source

90-day clock, residency condition, facility visit, surrender, exams, identification, and International License rule on this page come from the Illinois Secretary of State: How Do I, New Residents page. The standard license fee comes from the Illinois Secretary of State driver services fee schedule. Facts verified 2026-10-26.

This page explains how the process works and what the official rules say. It is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute about your specific situation, talk to a lawyer or your state agency.