Top Determine the Status of Your Driver's License

Both the Secretary of State (SOS) and the courts can suspend your driving privileges. To find out if your license is suspended, you can order a copy of your driving record or consult your local Secretary of State office. This will also show points against your license and, in many cases, information on any accidents you have had.

Check Your Driving Record

You have several different options when ordering a copy of your driving record through a third-party vendor or your Secretary of Sate office.

• Order Driving Record Online

  To order a copy of your driving record online, visit our Driving Records page.

• Order Driving Record In Person

  When you visit your local SOS office, you can simply ask about the status of your license. However, requesting a complete copy of your driving record is a good idea if you want to learn more about what information is on file regarding your license number.

  1. Be prepared to provide your full name, date of birth, and driver’s license number.
  2. Have the $12 processing fee to receive a copy of your driving record.
  3. Visit your local SOS office.

• Order Driving Record By Mail
  1. Prepare a written request that includes your full name, date of birth, and driver’s license number.
  2. Provide payment for the $12 fee via check or money order.
  3. Mail the request and payment to:
     • Secretary of State
     • Abstract Unit
     • 2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy.
     • Springfield, IL 62723

Suspended in All States?

Drivers should keep in mind that a database known as the National Driver Register (NDR) is available to keep tabs on drivers with revoked or suspended licenses. The purpose of this database is to keep drivers from obtaining a license in a different state after their privileges have been revoked or suspended in their home state.

The Driver License Compact (DLC) is similar to the NDR, but provides information on non-residents who obtain license suspensions and traffic violations while visiting other states. This means an offense you commit while on vacation could incur additional penalties in your home state.

Top Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License

Driving with a suspended or revoked license carries stiff penalties. The offense is far different from a typical traffic ticket. At the minimum, it's considered a Class A misdemeanor with a possible fine of up to $2,500 and up to 364 days in jail. Depending upon the circumstances, drivers can even be charged with a felony. This can carry a fine of up to $25,000 and a term of up to seven years in prison.

For specific penalties regarding your suspended license, call (800) 252-8980

Contact an Attorney

If you are caught driving with a suspended license, you may wish to seek advice from an experienced attorney who will be able to answer any questions you might have and make sure your rights are protected during all court proceedings.

Top Obtain a Restricted License

If your driver's license is suspended, you may still be able to drive for some purposes. You will need to apply for Restricted Driving Privileges, or RDP. This program is also known as Driver Relief.

RDP usually only covers driving to work or school; sometimes exceptions are made for driving yourself or relatives to medical appointments. These privileges may also be granted to those who drive as part of their employment.

To apply for RDP, contact the informal hearing officer at the nearest SOS office that offers those services. The officer will determine whether to grant you RDP; this decision will be based largely on your driving record.

Depending upon the reason your license was suspended, you may be eligible for a Judicial Driving Permit, Probationary License, or Family Responsibility Driving Permit. Contact your local SOS office for details.

If you need legal help during any of these application processes, consult an attorney.

Top Reinstate Your License

The state provides several administrative forms that may be useful for requesting hearings on traffic violations or reinstating a suspended driver's license:

• Driver Services Reinstatement Locations: Where to go to when you are eligible to reinstate your license, and forms of payment accepted for the reinstatement fee.

• Formal Hearing Request Form: Drivers who lost their license for an offense involving a fatality or multiple DUIs may request a hearing to contest their driver's license suspension or request restricted driving privileges.

• Illinois Traffic Offenses: A list of the kind of points you don't want to earn.

• Road to Reinstatement: Restoring Your Driving Privileges: Brochure outlining the process to get your license back after it has been suspended or revoked.

Reinstatement Fees

Losing your license is expensive. To reinstate your license after the suspension period is up, or to apply for a new license after your revocation period is over, you'll need to pay reinstatement fees. These mandatory fees vary according to the reason your license was suspended or revoked:

• DUI:

• First suspension: $250

• Second or subsequent suspension: $500

• First revocation: $500

• Second or subsequent revocation: $500

• Any other revocation: $500

• First Statutory Summary Suspension: $250

• Second or subsequent Statutory Summary Suspension: $500

• Discretionary suspension: $70

• Failure to Appear suspension: $70

• Family Responsibility suspension: $70

• Other suspension (except Statutory Summary Suspension): $70

• Parking suspension: $70

• Safety Responsibility suspension (uninsured crash): $70

• Tollway suspension: $70

• Unsatisfied Judgment suspension: $70

• Zero Tolerance suspension: $70

On top of the above fees, if your license was revoked rather than suspended, you will also need to pay fees to apply for a new license. And, if you find yourself in need of legal advice, you'll also have to pay attorney fees.

NOTE: Depending upon the reason your license was suspended, your auto insurance rates may increase. Please visit our Insurance Center if you need to compare quotes online when shopping for a new policy.

Top Keep Your Record Clean

To protect your driving privileges, you'll want to avoid the following:

DUI

You'll lose your driving privileges for at least 12 months if the Office of the Secretary of State receives a conviction report from a DUI offense.

Underage Drinking

Regardless of whether a vehicle was involved, any driver under the age of 21 ticketed for alcohol consumption will face a loss of driving privileges.

Failure to Appear

At the request of a Circuit Clerk's Office within the state or an equivalent agency from another state, your license can be suspended if you have an unsatisfied traffic citation.

Parking Suspension

At the request of a parking municipality, your driving privileges can be suspended if you have been issued 10 or more parking violations that remain unsatisfied.

Tollway Violations or Evasions

State law allows your license to be suspended for failing to pay fines for five or more tollway violations or evasions.

Failure to Pay Child Support

Under the Family Financial Responsibility Act, the Secretary of State can suspend a driver's license as part of the Deadbeats Don't Drive program.

Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle

If you don't show proper caution and yield to an emergency vehicle when its lights are flashing, your license can be suspended if your action results in the death of another person.

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