Illinois Suspended & Revoked Licenses

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

Illinois treats license suspensions and revocations as two separate things, and the path back to a valid license depends on which category applies. A suspension is a defined-time loss of driving privilege; a revocation is an indefinite loss that requires a formal hearing before the Secretary of State will reinstate. Both involve fees, documentation, and — for any alcohol-related action — a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID).

Common reasons for an Illinois suspension

Statutory Summary Suspension — automatic civil suspension after a DUI arrest where the driver fails or refuses chemical testing.
Three or more moving-violation convictions in a 12-month period for adult drivers.
Two or more moving-violation convictions in a 24-month period for drivers under 21.
Failure to pay 10 or more parking tickets, 5 or more red-light camera tickets, or 5 or more automated speed tickets.
Unpaid child support reported by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
An unsatisfied judgment from a traffic-related civil case.

Reasons for revocation

DUI conviction (criminal, separate from the Statutory Summary Suspension).
Reckless homicide or aggravated DUI involving injury or death.
Leaving the scene of an injury accident.
Three or more reckless-driving convictions in a 12-month period.
Fraudulent or altered driver's license.

Statutory Summary Suspension timeline

The Statutory Summary Suspension begins on the 46th day after arrest and runs for 6 months on a first failed test or 12 months on a first refusal. Drivers can petition for a Judicial Driving Permit (JDP) that allows limited driving for work, school, or medical reasons, but a JDP requires a BAIID installation on the driver's vehicle and a reinstatement fee.

Reinstating after a suspension

For a defined-term suspension that has run its course, the driver pays the reinstatement fee and any other obligations:

Standard reinstatement fee: $70 for a non-alcohol suspension.
DUI Statutory Summary Suspension reinstatement: $250 for a first offense, $500 for a subsequent offense.
Any unpaid tickets cleared with the issuing court.
Up-to-date SR-22 insurance filing, where required.

Reinstating after a revocation

A revoked license requires a formal or informal hearing with the Illinois SOS Driver Services Department, plus:

An alcohol/drug evaluation (Uniform Report) completed by a state-licensed evaluator.
Proof of completion of any recommended treatment program.
A statement of remedial activities and a personal interview with a hearing officer.
SR-22 filing for at least 3 years from reinstatement.
BAIID installation for at least 5 years on a multiple-offender revocation.

BAIID program

Illinois requires a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device on any vehicle driven by an offender on a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP). The device is installed at the driver's expense — typically $80 to $150 per month plus a $100 install fee — and prevents the engine from starting if a measurable BAC is detected. Failed tests are reported electronically to the SOS within 24 hours and can extend the BAIID period by 90 days each.

Out-of-state holds

Illinois honors the National Driver Register and the Driver License Compact. A suspension in any other state will block an Illinois license issuance until the home state clears the action. Drivers moving to Illinois from another state should pull a current driving record from their previous state before applying for an Illinois license.

For more on driver-record consequences nationwide, see our national point system guide.