I'm a new resident in Illinois: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Illinois. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Illinois

Each rule comes from the Illinois driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Within 90 days of moving, or before your out-of-state license expires, whichever comes first.

  What the manual says

  • New residents with a valid non-Illinois license must obtain an Illinois license within 90 days or before their license expires, whichever comes first.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 5

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Vision screening and written exam, and possibly a driving exam.

  What the manual says

  • Getting your Illinois license

    Bring acceptable identification to prove your name, date of birth, Illinois residency, Social Security number and signature. You must pass a vision screening and a written exam, and possibly a driving exam, and pay the fee.

    • You must hand in all your out-of-state driver's licenses and ID cards before you get an Illinois license or state ID.
    • If you have an out-of-state driver's license, you do not need to take the Adult Driver Education Course.

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• Liability insurance

  Minimum liability insurance: $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for more than one, $20,000 property damage.

  What the manual says

  • The manual lists $25,000 as the minimum for injury or death of one person in a crash.
  • The manual lists $50,000 as the minimum for injury or death of more than one person in a crash.
  • The manual lists $20,000 as the minimum for damage to property of another person.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 98

• Change of address

  Within 10 days of any move, notify the Secretary of State's office.

  What the manual says

  • You must notify the Secretary of State's office of an address change within 10 days of any move.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 6

• How long the license lasts

  Generally 4 years, expiring on your birthday; under 21, three months after your 21st birthday.

  What the manual says

  • A driver's license is valid for four years and expires on the driver's birthday, except for the listed age groups.
  • For drivers under 21, the license expires three months after their 21st birthday.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 8

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Permit and first-stage license: no driving Sun-Thu 10 p.m.-6 a.m., Fri-Sat 11 p.m.-6 a.m.; local curfews may differ.

  What the manual says

  • From Sunday through Thursday, the nighttime restriction runs from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (local curfews may differ).
  • On Friday and Saturday, the nighttime restriction runs from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (local curfews may differ).

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Permit: one in front, one per back-seat belt. First 12 months or until 18: one under-20 passenger except (step)siblings, (step)children.

  What the manual says

  • In the Permit Phase, passengers are limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
  • For the first 12 months of licensing or until age 18, passengers are limited to one person under age 20, unless they are siblings, stepsiblings, children or stepchildren of the driver.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Zero tolerance under 21: any trace of alcohol while driving brings at least a 3-month suspension.

  What the manual says

  • A Zero Tolerance Violation is having an alcohol concentration of greater than 0.00 but less than 0.08 by a person under age 21.
  • If you are under age 21 and found to have any trace of alcohol in your system while driving, your driving privileges will be suspended for a minimum of three months.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 60, 52

• Refusing a chemical test

  Refusal means a one-year suspension (three years for a second offender); the refusal may be used as evidence.

  What the manual says

  • If you refuse to submit to chemical testing, your driving privileges will be suspended for one year.
  • A second offender will have driving privileges suspended for three years for refusing chemical testing, or one year for failing it.
  • The manual states that a test refusal may be used as evidence against you.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 49

• Seat belts

  All drivers and passengers age 8 and older, front and back seats, even with air bags.

  What the manual says

  • Illinois law requires all drivers and passengers (front and back seats) age 8 and older to wear safety belts, even if the vehicle has air bags.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 23

• Child safety seats

  Children under 8 need a child restraint; rear-facing until age 2 unless over 40 lb or 40 in.

  What the manual says

  • The Child Passenger Protection Act requires all children under age 8 to be properly secured in an appropriate child safety restraint system.
  • Since Jan. 1, 2019, children must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint until age 2 unless they weigh more than 40 pounds or are more than 40 inches tall.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 23, 24

• Phone use while driving

  Age 19+: no handheld phone or texting. Under 19: no phone use at all, even hands-free, except emergencies.

  What the manual says

  • Illinois law prohibits the use of handheld cellphones, texting, or using other electronic communications while operating a motor vehicle.
  • Any wireless/cellphone use while driving, including hands-free, is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except to contact police, a health care provider or emergency services in an emergency.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22, 18

• School buses

  Stop for a stopped school bus, including school-property lots; no stop if opposite on a four-lane road.

  What the manual says

  • A vehicle is not required to stop when both vehicles are on a four-lane roadway and the bus is stopped in the opposite direction; any other time you must stop.
  • The rule to stop for a stopped school bus loading or unloading passengers includes any parking lot located on school property.
  • You must stay stopped until the stop signal arm is no longer extended and the flashing lights are off, or the school bus driver signals vehicles to pass.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 32, 33

• Move Over law

  Approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with lights on: yield, change lanes if possible, else slow down carefully.

  What the manual says

  • When approaching a stationary emergency/maintenance vehicle with its lights on, motorists must yield, change to a lane away from the emergency workers when possible, and proceed with caution.
  • If a lane change is not possible, reduce speed and proceed with caution.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 25

• Headlights

  On from sunset to sunrise and when wipers are needed; also when objects 1,000 feet away are unseen.

  What the manual says

  • Vehicles must have two headlights, which must be on from sunset to sunrise (and when conditions require windshield wipers).
  • Headlights should also be used when objects 1,000 feet away cannot be seen.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 92

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after a complete stop, yielding to traffic, bicyclists and pedestrians, unless a sign prohibits it.

  What the manual says

  • You may turn right at a red light unless a sign prohibits it, after a complete stop and yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
  • A driver must yield the right of way to other drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians when making a right turn on a red light after a complete stop.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77, 26

• Speed limits

  Unless posted: 70 mph interstates/tollways, 30 mph city/town; school zones 20 mph, school days 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m., children present.

  What the manual says

  • Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on interstates and tollways is 70 mph.
  • Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in city/town areas is 30 mph.
  • The school zone speed limit is 20 mph on school days between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. when children are present and signs are posted.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24

• Left lane and keeping right

  Slower traffic keeps right; left is for passing and turning. Interstates: left lane only for passing, with exceptions.

  What the manual says

  • Slower traffic must drive in the right lane; the left lane is for passing and turning.
  • On an interstate or full access controlled freeway, you may not drive in the left lane(s) except when passing another vehicle, with listed exceptions.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 46, 29

• Points and suspension

  Suspension for traffic convictions: three in 12 months (age 21+); two in 24 months if under 21.

  What the manual says

  • Three traffic violation convictions during a 12-month period is a suspension offense (two within 24 months if under 21 at arrest).
  • Such a driver faces a minimum 30-day suspension, with the length varying by the seriousness of the offenses.

  Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 60, 20

Official steps for moving to Illinois

• Deadline: 90 days

  If you have moved to Illinois for good from another state or country and have a valid driver's license from there, you may drive with it, but you must get an Illinois license within 90 days, or before your license expires, whichever comes first.

  Source: [4]

• Getting your Illinois license

  Bring acceptable identification to prove your name, date of birth, Illinois residency, Social Security number and signature. You must pass a vision screening and a written exam, and possibly a driving exam, and pay the fee.

  • You must hand in all your out-of-state driver's licenses and ID cards before you get an Illinois license or state ID.
  • If you have an out-of-state driver's license, you do not need to take the Adult Driver Education Course.

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• Who may drive with a license from elsewhere

  • Out-of-state students at an Illinois college or university, and their spouses and children, with a valid license from their home state or country.
  • Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty, and their spouses and dependent children who live with them, with a valid license from their home state.
  • People visiting or driving through Illinois, with a valid license from their home state or country.

  Source: [4]

Sources

1. Driver's License and State ID FAQ (ilsos.gov) — Illinois Secretary of State
2. Document Requirements to Obtain a Driver's License or State ID Card (ilsos.gov) — Illinois Secretary of State
3. Adult Driver Education FAQs (ilsos.gov) — Illinois Secretary of State
4. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (ilsos.gov) — Illinois Secretary of State