Top Check Your Driver's License Status

Whenever you need or want to check the status of your driver’s license, you can order a driving record report. This record will spell out if your driver’s license is currently valid. Should your license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what’s on record at the DMV. This report will also show points against your license and, in some cases, information on any accidents you have had.

In Illinois, driver records are often needed in order to obtain employment. You may also want a copy of your driving record if you are defending yourself against a ticket in an Illinois court. Having a physical copy of a good driving record to submit to the judge reportedly can help, but check with your attorney for legal advice.

Top How to Order Your Driving Record

To obtain a certified abstract of your driving record, take these steps:

1. Go to your local Secretary of State office.
2. Fill out a request form.
3. Pay the $12 fee in cash or with a check (no credit or debit cards are accepted).
4. Receive a print-out of your driving record immediately.

You can also order a certified copy of your driving record by mail, but it'll take a little longer to process (up to 10 days). Simply send a written request along with $12 to:

• Driver Analysis Section

• Secretary of State

• 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway

• Springfield, IL 62723

In your letter, include your full name, date of birth, and Illinois driver's license number.

Expedited Processing

Many third-party companies can furnish you with your driving record more quickly than you can get one yourself by mail. If you don't want to stand in line and you don't mind paying a little more, contact one of these companies for faster results. In many cases they can send you your driving record by fax or even e-mail.

Employers

Requests from employers or others checking someone else's driving record can take an additional 10 days to process on top of normal processing times. The report will omit the address and any other personal information about the driver, but it will list all convictions, accidents, and suspensions or revocations. It may not include cases that are still pending or tickets that did not result in a conviction.

To request someone else's driving record, apply as above. Include the full name, date of birth, and Illinois driver's license number of the driver whose record you seek. The Secretary of State's office will notify the driver that you have requested the record.

Top Clearance Letters vs. Driving Record

Other states may require a clearance letter from your previous driver licensing authority before they will grant you a driver's license. The State of Illinois does not issue clearance letters. You can instead submit a certified copy of your driver record. Contact the Abstract Information Unit at (217) 782-2720 for further information.

You may also want the requesting state authority to contact the State of Illinois at the number above to verify that Illinois does not issue clearance letters. This may save you trouble later when you submit your driving record instead of the requested document.

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