Secretary of State expands online driver's license and ID card renewals

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is launching a comprehensive plan to address the heavy customer volume at Driver Services facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan includes expanding services in the Chicago area, and also expanding remote renewal over the next six months to allow about 1 million more people statewide to renew their driver's licenses and ID cards online, by phone or by mail.

Letters will be mailed out to those who qualify, between September 2021 and February 2022.

"During the pandemic ... we greatly expanded online services," white said in a news release. "This next step will allow many more people to renew their driver's licenses or ID cards remotely instead of visiting a Driver Services facility.

In addition, White's office will continue mailing remote renewal letters to drivers and ID card holders 90 days before their cards expire. Through this approach, most customers will be able to renew remotely 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 www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Aside from 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, although 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.