Visiting the DMV is as inevitable as death and taxes, with more than 8.5 million drivers taking to the streets across Illinois annually, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
But maneuvering the DMV can be a challenge, with the facility’s long lines, extensive lists of required documents and dozens of different services.
For those who’ve been putting off their DMV appointments, here’s everything you need to know.
Do you need an appointment for the DMV?
License plate stickers and disability placards are walk-in services and do not require an appointment, according to the Illinois Secretary of State website. Various other services, such as drivers license renewal, title and registration applications and drivers license address changes, can be completed online.
You can use the website’s Facility Finder to see whether your local office is appointment-only or allows walk-ins for certain services.
How to schedule a DMV appointment
You can schedule an appointment on the SOS website by selecting the desired service and filling in the required information, or by calling 844-817-4649. You can select a nearby SOS location on the website and pick a time for your appointment (checking the site earlier in the morning is best practice).
Appointments can be modified or canceled on the SOS website.
Seniors may schedule an appointment by either calling 800-252-8980 and pressing 2 or visiting one of Illinois’ walk-in seniors only DMVs.
Illinois DMV locations
A list of DMV locations can be found on the SOS website. Along with the names and addresses of the buildings, the site also labels which spots are appointment-only.
Illinois CDL DMV locations
You can schedule a CDL appointment and find the eligibility requirements here. While scheduling your appointment, you can see a list of CDL locations near you.
Illinois vehicle registration renewal
You can renew your registration online if you don’t have a current registration card. To obtain your registration ID and PIN, you can call the SOS at 800-252-8980 (toll-free in Illinois) or 217-785-3000 (outside Illinois).
You can also renew online if your car has passed an emission test (only applicable for vehicles in the Chicago and Metro-East St. Louis areas).
You cannot renew your registration online if the vehicle information on your registration is incorrect or outdated or if the renewal sticker needs to be mailed to an out-of-state address.
All you need for the renewal is a valid credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express) or electronic check. A payment processor fee will be charged for all credit card transactions.
You can expect to receive your renewal sticker in 5 to 10 business days. In the meantime, you can keep your printed proof of registration for 30 days from the expiration of the previous registration sticker’s date. You should keep the receipt in your vehicle until your new sticker is affixed to your car.
Real ID requirements
The SOS website has an interactive checklist that shows you exactly what you need to bring to apply for a Real ID.
In general, you will need to bring the following:
Hard copy documents are required – images from a cellphone are not accepted.
What do you need to renew your license in Illinois?
You can renew your driver’s license or ID card online if you received your renewal letter with the PIN or Renewal Authorization Number.
You can’t renew online and must visit a DMV facility if:
The SOS has an interactive checklist for the driver’s license renewal application. Examples of required documents can also be seen here.
Drivers license address change in Illinois
By law, you must notify the Illinois Secretary of State’s office within 10 days of changing your address.
To update your drivers license/state ID card, you must visit a DMV facility in person and bring acceptable identification and pay the appropriate fee. This includes Proof of Address documentation.
Proof of residency Illinois
Proof of Residency documents must contain your full name and residence address.
The following documents count as Proof of Residency:
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Need to renew your license? Here’s everything you need to know before your Illinois DMV appointment
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY NETWORK / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
