Driving Tests

Foreign Driver's License in Illinois: Visitors and New Residents

informational·how to guide·Published August 12, 2026

Can I drive in Illinois on my foreign driver's license?

Yes, if you are visiting. The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) handbook lets a visitor, or a driver passing through, drive on a valid license from the home state or country. If you move to Illinois, you may use your valid home license for 90 days, then you need an Illinois license. The SOS says Illinois does not recognize the international driver's license.

Where these Illinois rules come from

The rules for visitors and new residents come from the Illinois Secretary of State driver's license FAQ, the Illinois Secretary of State drivers FAQ and the Illinois Rules of the Road handbook. The steps, documents, fees and license terms come from the SOS pages on getting a license, document requirements and fees, and the adult course rule comes from the SOS Adult Driver Education FAQ. The visitor, student and international permit rules come from 2025 versions of the license FAQ and the handbook, so they may have changed. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Illinois Secretary of State (ilsos.gov) before you drive.

Visitors, students and new residents: which rule fits you?

You are visiting Illinois or driving through

Drive on your valid license from your home state or country. You do not need an Illinois license.

You stay for a while, for example to work, but do not plan to become a permanent resident

You may drive on your valid license from another state or country throughout your stay.

You are a student from another state or country at an Illinois college or university

You, your spouse and your children may drive with a valid license from your home state or country.

You moved to Illinois permanently

Get an Illinois license within 90 days or before your home license expires, whichever comes first.

Do you need an International Driving Permit in Illinois?

No. Illinois does not recognize the international driver's license, so plan to drive on your valid home license. The International Driving Permit is also on the SOS list of documents that it does not accept as proof of identity, so it does not count as an ID document when you apply for an Illinois license.

How to get an Illinois license after you move

1
Make sure you are becoming a resident
You can get an Illinois license or ID card only if you are becoming a legal resident of Illinois. If you are moving from another U.S. state, the guide to moving to Illinois with your license covers that case.
2
Go to a DMV that offers written tests
Visit a DMV (Driver Services facility), show your identification documents and have your photo taken. Express facilities do not offer written testing, so do not choose one.
3
Surrender any license from another state
New residents must surrender all out-of-state driver's licenses and ID cards before Illinois issues a license. This also covers out-of-state instruction permits and commercial licenses.
4
Pass vision screening and the written exam
You must pass vision screening and a written exam, and you may also need a driving exam. Vision of 20/40 or better, with or without glasses or contact lenses, meets the standard; 20/41 to 20/70 limits you to daylight driving. You get three attempts at each exam within one year of paying the application fee.
5
Pay the fee and get your temporary license
Pay the license fee. You then leave with a temporary paper license that is valid for 90 days.

Documents to bring with a foreign passport

For a standard license, a first-time applicant shows one document from each of Groups A, B, C and D: signature, date of birth, Social Security number and Illinois residency. One document can cover more than one group.
A foreign passport, current or expired less than 2 years ago, counts for Group A.
For date of birth (Group B), a foreign passport counts only together with another Group B document.
Group C documents must show your name and your full Social Security number.
Secretary of State management can accept or refuse any document. The guide to documents for the Illinois DMV has the full lists.

Practice the Illinois written exam before your visit

Expect to name traffic signs from their shape, color or symbol, read signals and pavement markings, and answer multiple-choice and true-or-false questions about traffic laws, safe driving, crash prevention and vehicle equipment. Two free question pages cover the subjects of the written exam and the vision screening standard. Our practice tests and question pages are free and in English only.

Key takeaways

A visitor, or a driver passing through, may drive in Illinois on a valid license from the home state or country.
After a permanent move, get an Illinois license within 90 days or before your home license expires, whichever comes first.
Illinois does not recognize the international driver's license, so drive on your valid home license.
For an Illinois license, pass vision screening and a written exam, and possibly a driving exam, at a DMV that offers written tests.
Next step: practice the rules of the road on the free Illinois Class D practice test.

Foreign license holders in Illinois: common questions

How much does an Illinois driver's license cost?

As of 2026, an Illinois driver's license costs $30 (U.S. dollars) for drivers aged 21 to 68. Drivers aged 18 to 20 and 69 to 80 pay $5, drivers aged 81 to 86 pay $2, and the license is free at 87 and older.

Do I have to take the driving test if I have a foreign license?

Plan for it. A new Illinois resident must pass vision screening and a written exam, and possibly a drive exam. Ask the DMV which exams apply to you before your visit. If you take the driving exam, the vehicle must be properly licensed and insured, you show proof of insurance at the exam, and only the examiner rides with you.

Can I drive while I wait for my Illinois license card?

Yes. When you finish the steps at the DMV, you get a temporary, secure paper license that is valid for 90 days. It works as your driver's license and as proof of identity until the permanent card arrives by mail, within 15 business days.

How long is an Illinois driver's license valid?

It depends on your age. From 21 through 86, the license is valid for 4 years and expires on your birthday. A license issued before 21 expires three months after your 21st birthday, and drivers aged 87 and older renew every year.

I am 19 and I just moved to Illinois. Do I need the 6-hour adult course?

Not if you bring a license from another U.S. state: you surrender it and take the required tests instead. The course is for people aged 18 to 20 who apply for an Illinois license for the first time and have never taken a driver education course. If your only license is from another country, ask the SOS which rule applies to you.