Illinois

Driver licensing agency
contact information		 Illinois Office of the Secretary of State
Driver Services Department - Downstate
2701 S Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62723
Driver Services Department - Metro
17 N State Street, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60602
www.sos.state.il.us/departments/drivers/drivers.html
217 785-0963


312 814-2975
Licensing Requirements
Visual acuity







Visual fields

Color vision requirement
Restricted licenses
 Both eyes without correction
Both eyes with correction
If one eye blind—other with/without correction
Absolute visual acuity minimum


Are bioptic telescopes allowed?

Minimum field requirement
Visual field testing device
None
Restrictions include daytime-only driving and two outside mirrors on the vehicle.		 20/40
20/40
20/40
20/40 in better eye for unrestricted license; 20/70 in better eye for daylight-only restrictions.
Yes, if acuity is 20/100 in better eye and 20/40 through bioptic telescope.
105˚ one eye, 140˚ both eyes
Stereo Optical testing machine
Licensing Renewal Procedures
Standard







Age-based renewal procedures		 Length of license validation
Renewal options and conditions


Vision testing required at time of renewal?
Written test required?

Road test required?
Drivers age 75+: no renewal by mail; vision test and on-road driving test required at each renewal. Drivers age 81-86: renewal every 2 years. Drivers age 87+: renewal every year.		 4 years
Mail-in every other cycle for drivers with clean records and no medical report
At in-person renewal
Every 8 years unless driver has a clean driving record
Only for applicants age 75+
Reporting Procedures
Physician/medical reporting


Immunity
Legal protection
DMV follow-up

Other reporting



Anonymity		 Physicians are encouraged to inform patients of their responsibility to notify the Secretary of State of any medical conditions that may cause a loss of consciousness or affect safe operation of a motor vehicle within 10 days of becoming aware of the condition.
Yes
N/A (Illinois is not a mandatory reporting state.)
The driver is notified in writing of the referral and required to submit a medical report. Determination of further action is based on various scenarios.
Will accept information from courts, other DMVs, law enforcement agencies, members of the Illinois medical advisory board, National Driver Register (NDR), Problem Driver Pointer System, Secretary of State, management employees, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and driver rehabilitation specialists.
Available
Medical Advisory Board
Role of the MAB

MAB contact information		 The MAB reviews each medical report and determines the status of the licensee’s driving privileges. The decision of the MAB is implemented by the Secretary of State.
Supervisor, Medical Review Unit
Office of the Secretary of State
Driver Services Department
2701 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62723
217 785-3002


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