How to get your license back after a DUI in Illinois
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Illinois Secretary of State (Driver Services Department) lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the revocation period (or the statutory summary suspension)
Under 625 ILCS 5/6-208(b), a person whose license is revoked may apply for a license after one year from the effective date of the revocation; for a second or subsequent § 11-501 conviction (§ 6-208(b)1.3) the person must first be issued a restricted driving permit and complete a continuous period of not less than 5 years during which the permit is not suspended, cancelled or revoked for a violation relating to the required use of an ignition interlock device. The Secretary of State states a revocation is the loss of driving privileges for an indefinite period, while a statutory summary suspension is temporary (6 or 12 months for a first offender, § 6-208.1).
What the source says
“1. Except as provided in subparagraphs 1.3, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the person may make application for a license (A) after the expiration of one year from the effective date of the revocation”
- 2
Statutory summary suspension: close other suspensions and pay the reinstatement fee
The Secretary of State states that at the end of the statutory summary suspension period driving privileges may be reinstated unless the court has directed otherwise, after closing all other suspensions or revocations on the record and paying a reinstatement fee of $250 for a first offense or $500 for multiple offenses; reinstatement becomes valid once entered on the driving record, provided the provisional termination date has passed.
What the source says
“Before you can regain your driving privileges, you'll need to complete the following steps: Close all other suspensions or revocations on your driving record. Pay a reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State’s office. For first-time offense – $250* For multiple offenses – $500**”
- 3
Appear before a Secretary of State hearing officer
For reinstatement after a DUI revocation, the Secretary of State lists first an appearance before a hearing officer: an informal hearing for a first offense, a formal hearing for multiple offenses. The Secretary's RDP page states a $50 nonrefundable filing fee applies to a formal hearing request for an RDP or reinstatement.
What the source says
“If you’re convicted of DUI and want to reinstate your driving privileges, you’ll need to: Appear before a Secretary of State hearing officer. First offense – Must have informal hearing. Multiple offenses – Must have a formal hearing.”
- 4
Undergo an alcohol/drug evaluation and complete any recommended treatment
The Secretary of State requires an alcohol/drug evaluation; if an alcohol/drug problem is indicated, proof of treatment and completion of all recommended treatment programs must be provided. Under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440(a), the evaluation (and any early intervention or treatment) for an Illinois resident must be conducted by an individual or agency licensed by the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (DSUPR), and the evaluation must be current (completed within 6 months before the hearing).
What the source says
“Undergo an alcohol/drug evaluation. If an alcohol/drug problem is indicated, you must provide proof of treatment and complete all recommended treatment programs.”
- 5
Complete a remedial education program
The Secretary of State lists completion of a remedial education program. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440 describes this as an alcohol and drug-related driver risk education course meeting DSUPR standards (77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060.505), completed after the most recent DUI arrest; petitioners classified as Minimal Risk must document a 10-hour course, and the course cannot be waived except as provided in 1001.440(a)(1)(C).
What the source says
“Complete a remedial education program.”
- 6
File proof of financial responsibility (SR-22)
The Secretary of State lists filing proof of financial responsibility. Its SR-22 page states financial responsibility insurance is required for revocations and must be maintained for three years, and its reinstatement-fee page states the $500 revocation fee is processed only after a reinstatement recommendation from Administrative Hearings and receipt of the SR22 certificate or out-of-state insurance waiver.
What the source says
“Revocations — $500 fee for each Revocation — Payments of this Reinstatement fee can only be processed if we have received a "reinstatement recommendation" from our Administrative Hearings Department and this office has received your SR22 Insurance certificate or out of state insurance waiver.”
- 7
Pay the $500 reinstatement fee
The Secretary of State lists payment of a $500 reinstatement fee, online or by mail to the Traffic Violations Section; 625 ILCS 5/6-118(b) sets the revocation reinstatement fee at $500.
What the source says
“Pay a $500 reinstatement fee. Pay your reinstatement fee online or Mail payment to: Secretary of State Traffic Violations Section 2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy. Springfield, IL 62723”
- 8
Pass the driver's license exam and pay the application fee
The Secretary of State's final step is passing a driver's license exam (written, vision and driving) and paying the application fee; reinstatement becomes valid once it is entered on the driving record.
What the source says
“Pass a driver's license exam (written, vision, and driving) and pay application fee. Note: Your reinstatement becomes valid once it’s entered on your driving record.”
Official reinstatement page: Illinois Secretary of State (Driver Services Department)
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $500 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 3 years — details |
| Ignition interlock | Illinois interlock rule |
| Required program | Alcohol and drug evaluation with alcohol/drug driver risk education course (remedial education) and early intervention or treatment as classified |
| Driving during the suspension | Restricted Driving Permit (RDP); Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) for first offenders during a statutory summary suspension |
Required program: Alcohol and drug evaluation with alcohol/drug driver risk education course (remedial education) and early intervention or treatment as classified
92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440(a) requires every petitioner for reinstatement or an RDP after an alcohol/drug-related revocation to submit an alcohol and drug evaluation and, where required, evidence of completing an alcohol and drug-related driver risk education course and/or early intervention or treatment. For Illinois residents these must be provided by an individual or agency licensed by the Illinois Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (DSUPR); the risk education course must meet DSUPR standards (77 Ill. Adm. Code 2060.505), be completed after the most recent DUI arrest, and is a 10-hour course for petitioners classified as Minimal Risk, with early intervention or treatment added for Moderate, Significant and High Risk classifications. The Secretary of State's reinstatement page calls this 'a remedial education program'.
“all petitioners must submit an alcohol and drug evaluation and, where required, evidence of successful completion of an alcohol and drug-related driver risk education course and/or evidence of successful completion of early intervention, treatment or proof of adequate rehabilitative progress.”
Driving during the suspension: Restricted Driving Permit (RDP); Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) for first offenders during a statutory summary suspension
RDP (revocation): the Secretary of State states that to obtain an RDP the offender must prove a hardship exists, provide a current professional alcohol/drug evaluation and, when appropriate, proof of remedial education or treatment, and appear before a hearing officer; a BAIID is required as a condition of an RDP for a person with two or more DUI convictions, two statutory summary suspensions, one conviction plus a separate summary suspension, or an aggravated DUI involving death, great bodily harm or permanent disability, for the duration of the RDP at the offender's cost; a formal hearing request carries a $50 nonrefundable fee. MDDP (first offender, statutory summary suspension): under 625 ILCS 5/6-206.1 a first offender is issued an MDDP allowing driving for any purpose at any time in a BAIID-equipped vehicle at the offender's expense, with the device installed within 14 days of issuance, unless the offender files a notice declining the MDDP; a first offender who refused testing is not eligible.
“To obtain an RDP, the offender must prove a hardship exists, provide a current professional alcohol/drug evaluation and, when appropriate, provide proof of remedial education or treatment.”
When the interlock can be removed
Two regimes. (1) Repeat offenders: 625 ILCS 5/6-205(h) requires ignition interlock devices for not less than 5 years on all vehicles owned by a person convicted of a second or subsequent § 11-501 offense, and § 6-208(b)1.3 bars applying for a license until a continuous period of not less than 5 years on an RDP has passed without suspension, cancellation or revocation for an interlock violation. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.420(j) implements this as a BAIID Multiple Offender (BMO) RDP: the permittee must maintain 1,826 consecutive days of BAIID installation and use on all registered vehicles before being eligible to apply for reinstatement, any de-installation without prior BAIID Division approval restarts the 1,826-day period, and after completion the Secretary may in its discretion grant reinstatement or issue a further BAIID-conditioned RDP. (2) First offenders on an MDDP: the BAIID is required for the MDDP period (the statutory summary suspension); 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.444(c)(7) prohibits removing the BAIID before notifying the Secretary and surrendering the MDDP, and 1001.444(e) extends the summary suspension by 3 months per unexplained violation (or cancels the MDDP for tampering, circumvention or unauthorized removal). Removal is authorized by the Secretary of State's BAIID Division; no early-removal provision and no removal fee cap were found (indigent MDDP holders receive de-installation without charge under § 6-206.1(c-5)).
Compliance period: Repeat offenders: 1,826 consecutive days (5 years) of BAIID installation and use on a BAIID Multiple Offender RDP before applying for reinstatement, restarting on any unapproved de-installation (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.420(j)(A)). MDDP first offenders: the statutory summary suspension period, extended 3 months per violation (1001.444(e)).
“The BMO permittee must maintain 1,826 consecutive days of BAIID installation and utilization on all registered vehicles as defined in Section 1001.443(a) prior to being eligible to apply for reinstatement.”
Questions about reinstatement in Illinois
- What are the Illinois Secretary of State's steps to reinstate a license after a DUI revocation?
- The Secretary of State's Reinstatement of Driving Privileges page lists six steps: appear before a hearing officer (informal hearing for a first offense, formal for multiple offenses); undergo an alcohol/drug evaluation and complete any recommended treatment; complete a remedial education program; file proof of financial responsibility; pay a $500 reinstatement fee; and pass the written, vision and driving exams and pay the application fee. Reinstatement becomes valid once entered on the driving record.
- How long must a repeat DUI offender keep a BAIID in Illinois before reinstatement?
- 625 ILCS 5/6-205(h) requires interlock devices for not less than 5 years on all vehicles owned by a person convicted of a second or subsequent DUI, and 625 ILCS 5/6-208(b)1.3 requires 5 continuous years on a restricted driving permit without an interlock-related suspension, cancellation or revocation. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.420(j) sets this at 1,826 consecutive days of BAIID use on a BAIID Multiple Offender RDP; unapproved de-installation restarts the period.
- What is reinstated after a statutory summary suspension in Illinois?
- The Secretary of State states that at the end of the statutory summary suspension period driving privileges may be reinstated, unless the court has directed otherwise, once all other suspensions or revocations on the record are closed and the reinstatement fee is paid: $250 for a first offense or $500 for multiple offenses (625 ILCS 5/6-118(b)). During the suspension a first offender may drive on a Monitoring Device Driving Permit in a BAIID-equipped vehicle under 625 ILCS 5/6-206.1.
Sources
- Illinois SOS – BAIID: Reinstatement of Driving Privileges (statutory summary suspension and revocation reinstatement steps; live page unreachable)
- Internet Archive capture (2026-08-06) of the SOS Reinstatement of Driving Privileges page actually fetched (research/raw/il_wb_baiid_reinstate_20260806.txt)
- Illinois SOS – BAIID: Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) (live page unreachable)
- Internet Archive capture (2025-06-03) of the SOS Restricted Driving Permit page actually fetched (research/raw/il_wb_baiid_rdp_20250603.txt)
- Illinois SOS – Driver's License Reinstatement Fees (Internet Archive capture 2026-08-24; $500 revocation fee processed after SR22 receipt)
- Illinois SOS – Financial Responsibility (SR-22) Insurance (Internet Archive capture 2025-12-31; three-year requirement)
- 625 ILCS 5/6-208 – Period of suspension; application after revocation (Illinois General Assembly; text before amendment by P.A. 104-507)
- 625 ILCS 5/6-205 – Mandatory revocation; ignition interlock for 5 years for repeat offenders (Illinois General Assembly; reused from the verified state record)
- 625 ILCS 5/6-206.1 – Monitoring Device Driving Permit (Illinois General Assembly; reused from the verified state record)
- 625 ILCS 5/6-118 – Fees, incl. reinstatement fees (Illinois General Assembly; reused from the verified state record)
- 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440 – Provisions for Alcohol and Drug Related Revocations, Suspensions, and Cancellations (JCAR, ilga.gov)
- 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.420 – General Provisions Relating to the Issuance of Restricted Driving Permits (BAIID Multiple Offender RDP, 1,826 consecutive days) (JCAR, ilga.gov)
- 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.441 – Procedures for BAIID-Conditioned RDPs (JCAR, ilga.gov)
- 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.444 – Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) Provisions (JCAR, ilga.gov)