Dear Friend,
With COVID-19 cases on the rise in many parts of the state, it’s important that we continue to wear masks, wash our hands and stay home as much as possible to keep ourselves, our families and our neighbors safe.
To give drivers more flexibility during this uncertain time, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has announced a number of measures to make it easier and safer to renew your driver’s license, registration or state ID.
These changes may give you extra time or allow you to avoid visiting the department of motor vehicles (DMV) altogether:
The federal government has extended the REAL ID deadline by one year.
Current Illinois driver’s licenses will continue to be accepted at airports, military bases and secure federal facilities through Oct. 1, 2021. You can visit any driver services facility to apply for a REAL ID—use this interactive checklist to make sure you have all the required documents on hand.
Drivers age 75 and older will receive an automatic one-year extension on expired or expiring driver’s licenses and state IDs.
Waiting in line at a driver services facility—especially during a heat wave—can be dangerous for older adults, who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and heatstroke. Eligible drivers should soon receive a letter from the Secretary of State as proof that they qualify for the extension. Read more.
For all other drivers, expired or expiring documents have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020.
There’s no need to rush into a crowded facility—all expired licenses, ID cards, vehicle registration, restricted driving permits and monitoring device driving permits will remain valid through the end of September, giving Illinoisans more time to visit the DMV.
Avoid a visit to the DMV altogether by taking advantage of online services.
The Secretary of State offers a variety of online services, including sticker renewals, to allow Illinoisans to steer clear of crowded facilities and long lines. For transactions that must be made in person, you may be able to preregister from your computer or smartphone to speed up the process.
Visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com for more information and to explore online service options.
Keep in mind: Social distancing rules limit the number of people inside a facility at one time, meaning some visitors may be forced to wait outside. Please be patient, and prepare for the weather. If you are vulnerable to heat exhaustion, you may want to call ahead to your local driver services facility to check estimated wait times.
Illinois families are facing a lot of hardship right now, but I hope these announcements reduce some stress. With questions or concerns, contact my office at (773) 286-1115 or by emailing info@senatormartwick.com. My staff and I are ready to help.
Stay safe and healthy—I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Robert Martwick
State Senator | 10th District
