How to Get an Illinois Revoked License Reinstated

When Illinois revokes your driver's license, the road back to reinstatement depends on why your license was taken away. Generally, you must wait out your suspension and pay a reinstatement fee. However, if your driving privileges were revoked because of alcohol or drug abuse, you must do this as well as complete various substance abuse treatment evaluations and programs.

Eligibility Date

  • Contact the Illinois secretary of state's Driver Services Reinstatement Division at 312-814-5887 and ask for your eligibility date. This date represents the soonest you can apply for reinstatement, because you must wait until after your suspension period expires.

DUI Requirements

  • If your license was revoked for driving under the influence, you must take additional steps to reinstate your driving privileges. To determine the criteria that apply in your case, contact your local hearing office. The secretary of state maintains a list of locations on its website.

    After an approved licensed professional conducts an alcohol or drug evaluation, you will be assigned a risk level of either minimal, moderate, significant or high. If you present minimal risk, you must complete an alcohol/drug remedial education class. If the risk is moderate or more serious, you must complete this class and fulfill other requirements, such as completing an alcohol/drug treatment program and providing support letters.

Reinstatement Hearing

  • If your license was revoked because of multiple convictions for driving under the influence or an accident resulting in death, you must request a formal hearing in writing. Submit your request to the hearing office in either Springfield, Chicago, Joliet or Mount Vernon. The mailing address for each is listed on the Secretary of State's website. Include your name; driver's license number; Social Security number; the state where your most recent drug or alcohol arrest occurred and the date when it occurred; and your address, phone number, birth date and email address. You must also include a $50 filing fee payable to the secretary of state. You can pay by check, money order or credit card. Upon receiving this, the secretary of state's office will schedule a hearing and send you a Notice of Hearing with the date.

    If your license was revoked for other reasons, you can walk in to any hearing office and request an informal hearing. A reinstatement decision is mailed within 90 days of the hearing.

Reinstatement Fees

  • Submit proof of insurance and your reinstatement fee to the secretary of state after receiving notice your application was approved. Depending on the reason for your suspension, your reinstatement fee will be either $70, $250 or $500. Send payment by check, cashier's check or money order to Secretary of State, Driver Services Department, 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62723. Write your driver's license number on the check. You can also pay online or by phone by calling 217-782-3619.