Crime & Traffic

A suspension A temporary stop of a law means your driving privileges are taken away for a set period of time. After that period ends, you may be able to get your license back if you complete certain steps, such as paying a reinstatement fee, taking a driver safety class, or getting and maintaining insurance.

In Illinois, driver’s licenses and driving records are handled by the Secretary of State, which is what many people refer to as the DMV. If your license is suspended, the Secretary of State will send you a notice with a start date and an eligibility date. The eligibility date is when you can begin the process to get your license back. It does not mean your license is automatically reinstated.

Before you can drive again, you must complete all required steps, such as paying fees or meeting other requirements. Suspensions are usually easier to resolve than revocations or cancellations.

Learn more about reinstating your driving privileges.

A revocation means your driving privileges are taken away, and you cannot drive unless you go through a hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer with the Secretary of State. This can be either an informal or formal hearing, depending on your situation.

If you do not go through the hearing process, you will not be able to legally drive again in Illinois. The process can be difficult, and while you are not entitled to a lawyer, Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice many people choose to hire one to help them.

If your driving privileges are restored, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee and may have to retake driving tests, depending on your situation.

Learn more about reinstating your driving privileges.

A revocation does not have a set end date. It lasts until you go through the required hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer process with the Secretary of State. If you do not have the required hearing, you will not be able to legally drive again.

The length of a suspension A temporary stop of a law depends on the reason. There are many different types of suspensions, so it is not always possible to know exactly how long yours will last without reviewing your driving record.

Some common examples include:

• Too many driving convictions within a certain time period can result in a 60-day suspension for many people, but it may be longer if you have had a similar suspension before.
• For a first DUI, if you take a breathalyzer at the police station and fail, your license will be suspended for 6 months. If you refuse to take the breathalyzer, your license will be suspended for 1 year.
• Suspensions can be longer if you have had a prior DUI, although the rules may differ depending on how long ago it occurred.

Some suspensions last as long as the issue that caused them is still in place. For example:

• If you are suspended for not having auto insurance, you must get SR-22 insurance and maintain it for a required period (often 3 years).
• If you do not get or keep this insurance, you will remain suspended or be suspended again.
• If you are suspended for failure to pay child support, Money paid by a parent to help another parent support a minor child or an adult child with a disability you must resume payments and provide proof.

Suspensions can also be extended if you commit additional violations while your license is suspended.

Always get your driving abstract from the Secretary of State to find out when you are eligible to get your driving privileges back. Your eligibility date will be listed on the abstract. You can also speak with a hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer officer at a Secretary of State facility or call (217) 785-8619 to talk with an employee who can help explain your status.

No. You do not automatically get your license back when a suspension A temporary stop of a law ends. You must take steps to reinstate your license, which may include:

• Paying a reinstatement fee (usually between $70 and $500)
• Completing a driver safety course
• Getting auto insurance, if required

It is best to check with the Secretary of State to make sure you complete all required steps. Learn more about reinstating your driving privileges.

Yes, unless your license has expired. If your license has expired, you may need to renew it before you can legally drive.

Driving without a valid license, whether it is suspended or revoked, is a serious offense. If you are stopped by the police, you can be charged with driving on a suspended or revoked license. A first offense is usually a Class A misdemeanor, A lesser crime punishable by a fine or confinement in county jail for up to one year. which can carry up to one year in jail and fines of up to $2,500. Most people do not receive the maximum penalty for a first offense, but the consequences can still be serious.

Penalties can become more severe if you are charged more than once. The reason your license was suspended or revoked also matters. Some types of suspensions or revocations lead to harsher penalties than others.

For example, if your license was suspended for a DUI and you were required to have a BAIID device but drove without it, you may face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 days in jail or 300 hours of community service, even for a first offense.

Also, drivers in Illinois may face different consequences for driving on a suspended license depending on where the case is handled. Some counties treat these cases less seriously, while others enforce Taking legal steps to make someone do what the court tells them to do stricter penalties. As a result, two drivers with similar records could face very different outcomes. It is important not to compare your situation to someone else’s and to consider speaking with a lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice if you are facing charges for driving on a suspended license.

See our instructions on how to get your driver’s license back.

The time it takes to reinstate your license depends on your situation. If your license was revoked, the process can take a long time. You may need to:

• Complete all required treatment if you have a DUI
• Gather your documents and prepare for a hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer
• Attend the hearing and wait for a decision (which can take up to 90 days)

If you are approved, you may first receive a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP). You will usually need to wait at least 9 months before you can apply for full reinstatement.

Because of these steps, it can take one to two years to complete the process.

The documents you need depend on the reason your license was suspended or revoked. If your revocation is based on prior DUIs, you will likely need:

• A substance use evaluation from a certified treatment provider
• Proof that you completed all required treatment or classes
• A formal hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer application

You can get these documents from your treatment provider, the Secretary of State, or with help from a lawyer. Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice

A reinstatement hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer is a process with the Secretary of State to decide whether you can get your driving privileges back. You need a reinstatement hearing if your license has been revoked. You cannot legally drive again unless you go through this process and are approved. In most cases, you must wait at least one year from the date of the revocation before you can have a hearing.

If you need an informal hearing, When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer you do not have to schedule it in advance. You can go to a Secretary of State facility with a hearing officer when you are ready. It is helpful to review the hearing forms ahead of time so you know what information will be asked. You should also know your driving record well and be prepared to answer A written statement used to respond to the complaint or petition in a lawsuit questions about your violations. You may be asked about times you drove even if you were not caught.

If you need a formal hearing, you must request it in advance and submit the required forms and fee. Preparing for a formal hearing, especially for a DUI revocation, can be difficult. The hearing may include detailed questions about your entire alcohol or drug use history, all prior DUI offenses, your treatment, and your plans to avoid drinking and driving in the future.

Many people choose to work with a lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice to prepare for a formal hearing. The hearing can last 30 minutes or longer, and you must provide complete and accurate information. If you are not fully prepared or do not provide the required documents, your request may be denied, and you may need to go through the process again.

For more information, see how to get your driver’s license back.

No. You are not provided with a lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice for these hearings.

These are not court proceedings, and since you do not have a right to a driver’s license, you do not have a right to a lawyer to represent you. Many people hire a lawyer, especially for formal hearings.

This depends on the type of suspension A temporary stop of a law or revocation that you have. Most people have to pay between $70 and $500 in fees to reinstate a license.

There is no fee waiver A document that lets someone file court papers for free or at a reduced cost. available. The Secretary of State requires these fees to be paid before your license can be reinstated.

If you cannot afford the fees right away, you may be able to:

• Save until you have the full amount
• Ask about all required fees in advance so you know the total cost
• Prioritize required steps first (like completing classes or treatment) while you work on paying the fees

If you are working with a lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice or legal aid organization, they may also be able to help you understand your options and plan next steps.

SR-22 insurance is a specific kind of insurance that must be carried by a person who has previously been found guilty of not having auto insurance or has been revoked for DUI.

In most cases, you must keep SR-22 insurance for 2 to 3 years. You must keep the policy active and make all payments on time. If your coverage lapses or is canceled, your driving privileges can be suspended again. Once you no longer need to have it, you may convert it back to regular auto insurance.

To get SR-22 insurance, you must contact an insurance company that offers it. Tell them you need an SR-22 filing. The insurance company will set up your policy and file the SR-22 form with the state for you. You cannot file it yourself.

It depends on your situation. If you have been revoked, have already had a formal hearing, When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer and are waiting for a decision, you cannot drive or get a permit during that time. You must wait for the Secretary of State to respond, which can take up to 90 days.

If you are not yet eligible for a hearing, you may be able to apply for a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) based on undue hardship. You must show that you need to drive for specific reasons, such as work, school, medical care, child care, or attending a substance abuse support group, and provide proof.

In most cases, you must go through a hearing process to be approved for an RDP. If your case involves DUI or other alcohol-related offenses, this usually requires a formal hearing. You may also be required to install a BAIID device in your vehicle and follow strict rules while driving.

These permits can be difficult to get. In many cases, it may take about as long to get the permit as it would to become eligible to apply for full reinstatement.

Yes. You can try again, and many people do.

If you are denied, the decision letter will usually explain why. You will need to address those issues before applying again. In most cases, you must wait a certain period of time before you can have another hearing. When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer