Illinois is one of the busiest states for inbound relocation, and the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office processes thousands of out-of-state license transfers each year. Knowing exactly what to bring and what to expect makes the experience far less stressful. This guide gives you a precise, actionable roadmap for completing your Illinois out-of-state license transfer the right way — without unnecessary trips or rejected documents.
Illinois 90-Day Residency Rule: When You Must Act
Under Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/6-102, new Illinois residents are required to obtain an Illinois driver’s license within 90 days of establishing residency. You are a resident of Illinois if you intend to make the state your permanent home, even if you don’t immediately sell or surrender a home elsewhere. The following are recognized indicators of Illinois residency:
- Starting or accepting full-time employment in Illinois
- Registering a vehicle with the Illinois Secretary of State
- Enrolling children in an Illinois public school
- Signing a lease or purchasing property in Illinois
Required Documents for an Illinois Out-of-State License Transfer
Illinois uses a specific “Group” document system to verify your identity, Social Security number, and Illinois residency. All documents must be originals — photocopies, digital images on your phone, and notarized copies are not accepted. To get a standard or REAL ID, you need documents from the following categories:
Group A: Written Signature (Need 1)
- Your cancelled check (within 90 days)
- Current out-of-state driver’s license or ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
Group B: Date of Birth (Need 1)
- Certified U.S. birth certificate
- U.S. passport or passport card (can satisfy Group A and B)
- Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
- Permanent Resident Card / Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Group C: Social Security Number (Need 1)
- Original Social Security card
- W-2 form (current year or most recent)
- SSA-1099 form
- Pay stub displaying full SSN
Group D: Proof of Illinois Residency (Need 2 for a REAL ID)
- Illinois utility bill (within 90 days)
- Illinois bank or credit union statement (within 90 days)
- Illinois voter registration card
- Illinois vehicle registration
- Signed lease or rental agreement
- Illinois income tax return (most recent year)
Step-by-Step: Transferring Your License at an Illinois DMV Facility
- Visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s online facility locator (ilsos.gov) to find a Driver Services Facility near you.
- Make an appointment Most high-volume facilities in the Chicago area and beyond operate under the state’s “Skip-the-Line” program and require an online appointment. Walk-ins are severely limited.
- Gather all required documents (originals only) and bring your current out-of-state license.
- Arrive at the facility and check in.
- Submit your documents to the clerk and surrender your out-of-state license.
- Complete a mandatory vision screening.
- Have your photo and fingerprint taken and sign digitally.
- Pay the required fee.
- Receive a temporary, secure paper driving permit; your permanent Illinois plastic license arrives by mail within 15 business days.
Illinois Driver’s License Transfer Fees
Illinois driver’s license fees are set by the Secretary of State’s Office and are heavily based on age. The following standard fees apply:
- Ages 18–20: $5.00
- Ages 21–68: $30.00
- Ages 69–80: $5.00
- Ages 81–86: $2.00
- Ages 87 and older: Free
Illinois does not charge an additional fee for REAL ID-compliant licenses — the fee is the same as a standard license.
Will You Need to Take a Knowledge or Road Test?
If your out-of-state license is valid and unexpired, Illinois waivesboth the written knowledge test and the road skills test. You will only need to pass the vision screening.
However, if your out-of-state license has been expired for more than a year, or if your prior license was suspended/revoked, you will be required to take the written exam (10 questions) and potentially a driving test.
REAL ID in Illinois: Gold Star License Requirements
Illinois issues REAL ID-compliant licenses marked with a gold star in the upper right corner. Starting May 7, 2027, a REAL ID (or other acceptable federal identification like a passport) is required to board domestic commercial flights in the U.S. and access certain federal buildings. If you want REAL ID compliance during your Illinois out-of-state transfer, simply bring the full documentation package described above (ensuring you have two proofs from Group D).
Transferring a CDL to Illinois
Commercial Driver’s License holders must transfer to an Illinois CDL within 30 days of establishing residency. The process requires your current valid CDL, a DOT medical examiner’s certificate, all standard identity and residency documents, and payment of applicable CDL fees ($60). Skills testing is generally waived for valid CDL holders in good standing.
Special Situations
- New Residents Under 21: If you are under 21 and transfer a graduated or provisional license from another state, Illinois will evaluate your license type and may place you in an equivalent tier of Illinois’s graduated licensing system. You may not automatically receive a full (unrestricted) license.
- Senior Drivers: Under recent changes to Illinois law, the Secretary of State only requires a mandatory road driving test for seniors renewing or transferring a license if they are age 87 and older.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Illinois requires all first-time out-of-state transfers to be completed in person at a Driver Services Facility.
You have 90 days from when you establish Illinois residency. After that, you are legally required to carry an Illinois license.
Yes. Your out-of-state license will be collected by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office at the time of your transfer and sent back to the issuing state or destroyed.
Illinois accepts a variety of residency documents — a signed lease agreement combined with a bank statement showing your Illinois address, or a vehicle registration, can satisfy the two-document requirement without a utility bill.
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