Ordering Your Illinois Driving Record
An Illinois driving abstract — the term the Secretary of State uses for what most people call an "MVR" — is a certified summary of every entry on file for a driver, including license history, traffic convictions, accidents, and any suspensions or revocations. The SOS sells abstracts in three formats and limits who can request them under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act.
Types of Illinois driving records
Certified abstract
A printed record on Secretary of State letterhead with a raised seal, accepted by Illinois courts, employers, and out-of-state agencies. The abstract goes back 7 years for moving violations and the entire driver-license history. Cost: $12.
Uncertified abstract
The same content as a certified abstract but without the seal — suitable for personal use, insurance review, or pre-employment screening through an authorized third party. Cost: $12.
Court-purpose record
A specialized abstract used in court proceedings, including everything in the certified record plus court disposition codes and CDL-specific entries. Cost: $12. Required by most Illinois traffic courts when a driver appears for a moving-violation hearing.
How to order
Online
The SOS portal lets a driver pull their own uncertified abstract for $12 with a credit or debit card. The PDF is delivered by email within 24 hours. Online ordering is restricted to the driver themselves; third parties must use mail or in-person channels.
By mail
Send Form DSD-A-156 (Driver Abstract Request) to the Illinois SOS Driver Analysis Section, Springfield, with the $12 fee. Allow 7-10 business days for the abstract to mail back. Out-of-state requesters and Illinois drivers without an SOS portal account use this channel.
In person
Visit any Driver Services Facility with photo ID and the $12 fee. The clerk prints the abstract on the spot. Some smaller facilities don't process abstracts — call ahead to verify.
Who can request a record
Federal law (the Driver's Privacy Protection Act) limits who can pull an Illinois abstract:
- The driver themselves.
- Insurance companies for underwriting.
- Employers screening for commercial driver positions.
- Courts and law enforcement.
- Researchers and journalists with a redaction agreement.
- Anyone with the driver's signed consent.
What's on an Illinois abstract
- Full name, date of birth, address, license number, and license status.
- Issuance and expiration dates of the current license, plus the license history back to the original issuance.
- All traffic-violation convictions in the past 7 years (10 years for CDL holders), including DUI and reckless driving.
- All accidents reported to the SOS, including at-fault status.
- Point assessments for each conviction.
- Any suspension, revocation, or driving-permit action.
- Court supervision dispositions (where applicable).
Disputing an error
If the abstract shows a violation you didn't commit or that was dismissed, the driver can submit a Driver Record Correction Request to the SOS Driver Analysis Section with documentation — typically a court disposition or dismissal order. The SOS reviews and updates the record within 10-15 business days. Errors most often appear when an Illinois municipal court reports a finding of "court supervision" as a conviction, or when an out-of-state violation is recorded against the wrong driver due to a name match.
Court supervision and the abstract
Illinois "court supervision" is a deferred adjudication that, if completed, doesn't appear on the public abstract — but it does appear on the SOS internal record and on a court-purpose abstract. Insurance companies and employers using a public uncertified abstract will not see the supervision; courts and CDL employers will.
For broader record questions across states, see our national driving safety hub.