Secretary of state illinois drivers license appointment

Secretary of state illinois drivers license appointment

The entrance to the Secretary of State's Office at 1360 Oakwood Ave. in DeKalb, Illinois on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. (Kelsey Rettke)

June 15, 2022 at 6:14 pm CDT

DeKALB - DeKalb County residents looking to acquire a driver’s license, Real ID, or take a road test are required to first make an appointment at the Secretary of State Facility at 1360 Oakwood Ave. in DeKalb.

DeKalb’s facility is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. The office is closed Sunday and Monday.

According to a news release from Secretary of State Jesse White, appointments are required for all who wish to take a behind-the-wheel road tests, obtain a Real ID, a standard driver’s license or ID cards.

Vehicle services, such as renewing a license plate sticker or applying for a vehicle title, do not require an appointment.

The secretary of state’s office encourages those able to conduct business online at ilsos.gov, which according to the release can reduce or eliminate the need to visit a driver service facility in person.

Some online options include the ability to renew a license and ID card. The online portal also allows for obtaining a duplicate card if lost or stolen, changing an address, ordering a driving record and purchasing license plate stickers.

New residents to the state or county cannot obtain an Illinois license or ID card online, however, and must visit a facility in person.

Those over 50, veterans, people with disabilities and pregnant people will be served as walk-ins or can make an appointment at all designated appointment facilities, according to the secretary of state’s office.

To find appointment times, visit www.ilsos.gov as new appointments are available each day.

For those without internet access, the Secretary of State is partnering with the Chicago Lighthouse to provide an appointment hotline available to call at 844-817-4649.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — If your driver’s license is about to expire, listen up.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding the public that appointments are required at some of the state’s bigger Driver Services facilities –including Peoria and Bloomington– for behind-the-wheel road tests, REAL IDs, standard driver’s licenses and ID cards.

Vehicle services, like renewing your tags or applying for a vehicle title, don’t require an appointment.

White adds, the extension for expired driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits is set to expire on July 31.

The extension does not apply to Commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits.

White encourages people to conduct business online at ilsos.gov, which for many customers may reduce or eliminate a trip to the Driver Services facility in person.

In addition to driver’s license and ID card renewals for those who qualify, online services include obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card (if lost or stolen), changing an address, ordering a driving record and purchasing license plate stickers.

Customers can visit ilsos.gov to schedule an appointment. New appointment slots will be available each morning at ilsos.gov, White said.

Only larger Driver Services facilities require appointments. Many small, rural facilities do not use the appointment system because they don’t experience the heavy customer volume that large facilities encounter. These facilities remain accessible to walk-in customers.

White also noted that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.

Comprehensive Plan Addresses Heavy Customer Volume at Facilities Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic

Expanding remote renewal program for DLs/IDs so more customers can renew online, by phone or by mail

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that throughout the next few months, many larger downstate and central Illinois Driver Services facilities will require appointments for behind-the-wheel road tests, REAL IDs, standard driver’s licenses and ID cards. Vehicle services, such as renewing a license plate sticker or applying for a vehicle title, do not require an appointment.

The facilities and tentative dates they begin appointments include:

Facility                         Street Address                                      Beginning Date for Appointments

Springfield Dirksen       2701 S. Dirksen Parkway                       Nov. 29

Peoria                           3311 N. Sterling Ave.                            Dec. 1

Rockford Central           3720 E. State St.                                    Dec. 7

Bradley                         111 Village Square Shopping Plaza        Dec. 9

Champaign                   2012 Round Barn Rd.                            Dec. 14

Bloomington                 1510 W. Market St.                               Dec. 16

Moline/Silvis                2001 Fifth St., Ste. 10                            Jan. 4

Morris                         425 E. Route 6                                      Jan. 6

Bethalto                        20 Terminal Dr., Ste. 103, East Alton     Jan. 11

Belleville                      400 W. Main                                         Jan. 13

DeKalb                        1360 Oakwood St.                                 Jan. 19

Marion                         1905 Rendleman St.                              Jan. 25

Quincy                         2512 Locust St.                                     Jan. 27

Other locations may be added to the list of appointment-required facilities after this rollout is complete.

Aside from the Springfield Dirksen Parkway facility, these central and downstate appointment-based facilities will have the same standardized days and hours of operation: Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to noon. The Springfield Dirksen Parkway facility is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Customers and employees are required to wear masks. Customers are encouraged to bring their own masks.

Customers may visit ilsos.gov to schedule an appointment up to 10 days in advance during this phase of the program. New appointment slots will be available each day at ilsos.gov.

Secretary White emphasized that seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities and expectant mothers will be served as walk-ins at all of the designated appointment facilities. They also have the option to make an appointment.

For faster access to available appointments, customers should visit ilsos.gov as new appointments are available each day. The Secretary of State is also partnering with the Chicago Lighthouse to provide an appointment hotline, which the public may call at 844-817-4649. The Chicago Lighthouse’s call centers offer career opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, veterans and economically disadvantaged.

White noted that not all facilities will go to the appointment-based system. Many small, rural facilities will not require the appointment system because they do not experience the heavy customer volume that large facilities encounter. These facilities will all remain accessible to walk-in customers. Some facilities in the Chicago area will also continue to serve walk-ins.

There are currently 16 Chicagoland facilities that require appointments.

Expanding online renewal to address heavy customer volume

White’s office is expanding remote renewal for driver’s license and ID card holders. During this fall and through the end of 2021, the office is mailing letters to eligible customers with expired driver’s licenses and ID cards requiring them to renew online, by phone or by mail. The office estimates that this will eliminate the need for approximately 1 million people to visit a facility.

In addition, White’s office will continue mailing online renewal letters to drivers and ID card holders 90 days before their cards expire. Many customers will be able to renew online, by phone and by mail, and avoid visiting facilities. Customers who must visit a facility include first time driver’s license or ID card applicants, first-time REAL ID applicants, and drivers ages 75 and older who are required by state law to visit a facility when renewing their license.

White continues to encourage people to conduct other business online at ilsos.gov. In addition to driver’s license and ID card renewals for those who qualify, online services include obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, ordering a driver record and purchasing license plate stickers.

As a reminder, White has extended all driver’s license and ID card expiration dates to Jan. 1, 2022. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.

“During the pandemic, my office has continued to serve the public, including face-to-face transactions, in a safe and responsible manner,” said White. “Throughout this time, we also greatly expanded online services. This comprehensive plan further addresses the heavy customer volume at facilities caused by the ongoing pandemic.”

How do I schedule an appointment at the Illinois DMV?

Customers without access to a smart phone or computer can call 844-817-4649 to schedule an appointment.

Do I need an appointment to get my drivers license in Illinois?

Customers may visit ilsos.gov to schedule an appointment. New appointment slots will be available each morning at ilsos.gov. White emphasizes that seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities and expectant mothers will be served as walk-ins at all of the designated appointment facilities.

Is Illinois DMV by appointment only?

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Want to renew your driver's license or ID in Illinois? Make sure you check the Secretary of State's website. Select offices are now going by appointment only.

Do seniors have to wait in line at the DMV in Illinois?

As a result, drivers age 75 and older with a 2020 driver's license expiration date do not need to visit a facility to renew their driver's license until shortly before their birthday in 2021. Also, please remember that those 65 and older get “priority” service and can go to the front of the line.