Crime & Traffic

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Part of the Immigration rights library, sponsored by Quilling, Selander, Lownds, Winslett & Moser, P.C.

Part of the Drivers' rights library, sponsored by Reed Smith.

Driver’s license for immigrants

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Illinois recently passed a law that allows undocumented people to obtain standard driver’s licenses. This law goes into effect July 1, 2024. This new license replaces Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses (TVDLs). No TVDLs will be issued after this date. The new law also allows those with refugee and asylum status to obtain REAL IDs.

Important: If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not register to vote when you obtain any of these driver’s licenses, even if a Secretary of State employee offers you an application or says you can register. Do not state, either verbally or in writing, that you are a U.S. citizen.

Standard driver’s license for undocumented immigrants

Beginning July 1, 2024, those without legal status can obtain a standard driver’s license. This license does not require a Social Security Number (SSN). The license will be called a “standard identification card.”

The standard license will be the same license that is issued to other Illinois drivers that do not comply with the federal REAL ID license requirements. It will be marked “Federal Limits Apply” and cannot be used for federal identification or serve as a REAL ID. You cannot use the standard driver’s license for boarding a plane or entering federal buildings. The standard driver’s license is valid for 4 years.

To obtain the standard driver’s license as an undocumented immigrant, you must:

• Pass the required visual, written, and road tests;
• Provide proof of insurance;
• Provide proof that you have been living in Illinois for at least one year;
• Provide a passport from your country of citizenship or a consular identification document; and
• Pay the application fee.

The passport or consular identification card must not be expired or expire within two years.

Note: The Secretary of State cannot give your personal information to an immigration agent.

Limited REAL ID for immigrants with refugee or asylum status

Starting July 1, 2024, those with refugee and asylum status will be able to obtain REAL ID driver’s licenses. This applies to people who have documentation by the Department of Homeland Security authorizing their presence in the United States. This license will be labeled “Limited Term Real ID compliant identification card.”

You may apply for a renewal before your REAL ID expires. You will be notified by the Secretary of State 30 days before your ID is set to expire.

To get a Limited Term REAL ID compliant driver’s license, you must:

• Pass the visual, written, and road tests;
• Provide proof of insurance;
• Provide proof that you have been living in Illinois for at least one year;
• Provide documentation of legal status issued by Homeland Security; and
• Pay the application fee.

You can find information on how to apply for asylum documents on Asylum and refugee basics.

You still have the option to apply for a standard driver’s license that is not REAL ID compliant. For more information on how to apply for a driver’s license, see the Secretary of State’s website.

Temporary visitor driver's licenses

You can get a TVDL until July 1, 2024. TVDLs are for people without SSNs. TVDLs may be issued to two different groups of people:

• Individuals with temporary legal status and
• Undocumented individuals.

TVDLs are valid for 3 years or until your legal status expires. If you get your TVDL before July 1, it will still be valid for three years. After your TVDL expires, you must go through the application process again. They cannot be used for federal identification purposes. You cannot use them to board an airplane or enter a federal building.

To get a TVDL if you have temporary legal status, you must:

• Provide documentation of legal status issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services;
• Be authorized to be in the US for at least one year with at least 6 months remaining;
• Provide proof of date of birth, one year of Illinois residency, and written signature;
• If you are 18-20 years old, provide proof that you have completed 6 hours of a driver education course;
• Provide proof of insurance;
• Pass the vision, written, and road tests; and
• Pay a $30 application fee.

To get a TVDL as an undocumented immigrant, you must:

• Prove that you have been living in Illinois for at least one year;
• Provide an unexpired passport or consular identification card;
• Provide proof that you have completed 6 hours of a driver education and training course (age 18-20);
• Provide proof of insurance;
• Pass the vision, written, and road tests; and
• Pay a $30 application fee.