How to get an Illinois REAL ID driver's license UPDATED

How to get an Illinois REAL ID driver’s license

COTC Update 12/10/19: Due to the federally mandated REAL ID program, wait times at Driver Services facilities have increased. Please be patient and be aware that the DMV may need to suspend certain services, including drive tests, to ensure that they serve those already in line. Beginning Dec. 30, New Operating Hours at some Driver Services Facilities to Accommodate REAL ID Applicants) This is a pdf).

Some Driver Services facilities throughout Chicagoland and northern Illinois will change operating hours and add exclusive days just for REAL ID applicants to accommodate the increased volume of customers applying for REAL ID driver’s licenses and ID cards.

Update 12/11/19: Just had lunch with someone who said there is a separate line for seniors at the Elston facility. There were four people in that line and more than 100 in the regular line. YMMV.

What is REAL ID

REAL ID is a driver’s license (and State ID) with specific characteristics that meet the federal governments requirements. Beginning October 1, 2020 you will no longer be able to board an aircraft with a regular Illinois Driver’s License (or State ID). If you have a passport you can fly with that until you get a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or State ID.

What’s required to get a REAL ID compliant license

I recently renewed my Driver’s License at the Thompson Center. You have two options for your driver’s license: Standard or Real ID compliant. Read about the options here. I went at 2PM on a Wednesday and was out in an hour. Following reflects my experience.

Step 1: Visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility. Stand in line. At the first station they will review your documents to make sure they meet the requirements for REAL ID. If they do not you will be turned away. I saw at least three out of ten people sent away. Update 12/10/19: A friend went recently to the Thompson Center location and said that they had people looking at documents while you are in line. YMMV.

Documents required:

Bring the license renewal document you received in the mail.

All applicants must provide proof of identity

Acceptable documents include: a certified U.S. birth certificate, a current U.S. passport, an employment authorization document, a permanent resident card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form.

Name change documents

Certified copies of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc., will be required if the applicant presents a certified birth certificate with a name different from his/her current name. Please note: Multiple name change documents will be required if your name has changed multiple times.

All applicants must provide proof of full Social Security number (SSN)

Acceptable documents include: a Social Security card, a W-2 or a pay stub with full Social Security number. Your annual Social Security statement does not include your social security number. Also tax returns are not acceptable. The W-2 must be recent not from years ago.

All applicants must provide two current residency documents with the applicant’s name

Acceptable documents include: a utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title or a bank statement. One person was turned away because he had blacked out parts of his bank statement, probably the account number. The bill date and statement dates must be recent. Statements printed from your accounts are acceptable. One woman tried to show the documents on her phone but it was taking too long and they made her get out of line. Bring paper!

All applicants must provide proof of signature

Acceptable documents include: a credit or debit card, canceled check or current Illinois DL/ID. If your drivers license or ID are expired those will not work.

Step 2: Get your photo taken. Get a line number ticket issued. Go sit down.

Step 3: Listen for your number to be called or check the video board. Go to your counter when your number is called. Another person will thoroughly review all your documents and ask you a bunch of questions. Also all of your documents will be scanned in and sent somewhere for review. Take the vision test if required.

Step 4: Get in line to pay. If you do not bring cash there is a $1 charge to pay by credit card in addition to the $30 DL fee.

Step 5: Take the written test if required. Check in that you’ve completed the test then sit down and wait for your name to be called.

Step 6: Receive your old license back with a whole punched in it and a temporary paper license. The TSA and federal agents will not accept the paper document. So if you are traveling before you get your new permanent license you will need another form of ID. More info here.

Step 7: After review and verification of documents have been conducted, your new permanent REAL ID card will be mailed to you within 15 business days.

Complete this simple interactive checklist to find out exactly what documents you will need to bring to apply for a REAL ID DL/ID before visiting a Driver Services facility.

Summary

Bring the right paper documents and don’t alter them in anyway. Keep in mind that all your documents will be scanned in and sent somewhere for review. You cannot use the Temporary paper license they will issue to travel as the TSA and federal agents will not accept the paper document. So if you have a trip coming up renew your license early or travel with your passport. More info here.

How to get an Illinois REAL ID driver’s license UPDATED