Illinois does not recognize the International Driver’s License. However, you can use a driver’s license from a foreign country for up to 90 days. It must be valid and must not be expired.

After 90 days, if you plan on becoming a permanent Illinois resident, you have to get an Illinois driver’s license. If your foreign license expires before the 90-day period, you have to get an Illinois license as soon as possible.

You should gather documents and visit the Secretary of State's office soon after moving to Illinois. This way, you can get your Illinois license before the 90 days are over. 

• Appointments: Starting September 1, 2023, those seeking REAL ID, driver’s license and ID card services, and in-car driving tests, are required to make an appointment if they want to visit one of the 44 busiest DMVs in person. This includes all Chicago and suburban sites and some central and downstate locations. Visit ilsos.gov or call (844) 817- 4649 to schedule an appointment.
• Visit Secretary of State's Skip-the-Line program, to learn more about which services are offered online, when you are required to schedule an appointment, and the newly extended hours of all DMVs.

Students going to college in Illinois don’t need an Illinois license if they don’t plan on staying here.

Converting your foreign driver’s license to an Illinois license

If you are moving from another country, you will have to prove your identity to get an Illinois license. You need documents to show your:

• Name;
• Date of birth;
• Social security number; and
• Illinois residency.

If you don’t have a social security number, you can still drive in Illinois if you get a Temporary Visitor’s Driver’s License (TVDL). There are two kinds of TVDLs. The first is for someone authorized to reside in this country for one or more years. They must have at least six months of authorized presence remaining at the time of application. The second is for someone who does not have lawful status but has lived in the US for at least a year. Learn more about driver’s license for immigrants.

A TVDL is not a general identification card. You can only use it for driving.

To get a TVDL, you must have a valid visa and show you have resided in Illinois for 12 months. You will also have to pass:

• A road test;
• A vision test; and
• A written test.

How to obtain a standard driver's license in Illinois starting July 1, 2024

Starting on July 1, 2024, non-U.S. citizens can apply for a regular driver's license. This new license will not require a Social Security Number (SSN). It is called a "Standard" license instead of a "Non-compliant" one. Instead of saying "Not for Federal Identification," it will be labeled as "Federal Limits Apply." Under the new law, the Secretary of State cannot report you to immigration if you are undocumented and want a driver’s license. 

Note: You cannot use this license for federal identification purposes, such as when you board a flight or enter federal buildings.

To get this new license, you need:

• To pass a driving test, 
• Have valid insurance, 
• Show some identification papers (see below for more detail), and 
• Prove that you've been living in Illinois for at least one year. 

If you're a documented immigrant, provide U.S. immigration documents issued by Homeland Security (like I-20 and I-94) or your social security card. 

If you're undocumented, you must show a valid foreign passport or consulate-issued ID. Make sure all these documents are not expiring in two years.