Illinois Driving Records

Driving records offer more than just a look into your time behind the wheel. They serve as an official reflection of your driving behavior and can have real-world impacts.

Each state, including Illinois, keeps its own driving records and sets the rules for who may access them. These records are not one-size-fits-all, and the laws surrounding them are specific to Illinois. So, whether you are checking your own report or are authorized to view someone else's, understanding how access works is just as important as what the record might reveal.

What Is an Illinois Driving Record?

An Illinois driving record is an official document that outlines a person's driving history in the state. This document is officially called a driving record abstract, although it is occasionally called an Illinois MVR. Maintained by the Illinois Secretary of State (ILSOS), this record serves as the state's definitive account of a driver's performance and compliance with road safety laws.

What Is The Difference Between Official Driving Records and Public Driving Records

In Illinois, only the state government issues an official driving record abstract, which contains verified, up-to-date information about a person's driving history.

While the state issues what it refers to as a "public driving record abstract", in general, public driving records also include documents that come from third-party websites. These services, such as RecordsFinder, compile information from various sources which may be useful for several types of checks.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

There are several reasons why individuals and organizations may request a driving record.

Among the main reasons people request their Illinois driving records are for insurance and employment purposes. Legal needs also come into play. A driving record may be required for court supervision, legal defense, or to confirm eligibility for certain court programs.

People may also request their driving records for personal review, to verify that all information is correct, or to monitor their own driving history. In Illinois, parents and guardians may obtain driving records through Parental Access to monitor their teen drivers. Volunteer organizations, schools, and state agencies may use it as part of a background check.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

An Illinois driver report typically contains the following key details:

• Full name, date of birth, gender, and most recent address
• Physical characteristics
• Driver's license number
• Issuance and expiration dates of the license
• Information on traffic violations and related convictions, with dates
• Criminal driving convictions
• Points added to the license due to violations
• Accident involvement, including date, location, and fault determination
• Accident outcomes, including injuries or fatalities
• History of license suspensions, revocations, or cancellations
• Whether any current suspensions or holds are in place
• Information on court supervision or deferred sentences

For more information on what is included in driver reports, the ILSOS offers a guide on how to read your Illinois driving record.

Types of Driver Records Available in Illinois

Illinois offers several types of driver records. The public driving record abstract is the version most commonly used by employers, insurers, and others performing general checks. It includes a driver's license status, classification, endorsements, and any recorded violations, suspensions, or revocations.

The court's purpose abstract provides a more complete view of legal matters. Also known as an affected driving record abstract, it may include confidential data such as court supervision and deferred sentences in addition to the standard public information.

Illinois also distinguishes between certified and non-certified driving record abstracts. A certified driving record is an official document suitable for legal, court, or employment use. It typically comes with formal certification from the ILSOS (Illinois Secretary of State). A non-certified version is meant for personal use only and lacks the official status required for formal proceedings.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in Illinois

Illinois traffic violations are governed by Chapter 625 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Act 5, or the Illinois Vehicle Code. It sets the standards for driving behavior, outlines penalties for infractions, and details enforcement procedures.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Traffic violations in Illinois fall into two broad categories: moving violations, which involve unsafe actions while the vehicle is in motion, and non-moving violations, which usually relate to documentation or parking issues.

Common moving violations in the state include the following:

• Speeding (625 ILCS 5/11-601)
• Running red lights (625 ILCS 5/11-306)
• Illegal U-turns (625 ILCS 5/11-802)
• Driving Under the Influence or DUI (625 ILCS 5/11-501)

On the other hand, here are a few examples of non-moving violations you may come across in Illinois:

• Expired registration tags (625 ILCS 5/3-413)
• Parking violations, such as staying too long at a meter, parking in a no-parking zone, or using a disabled parking space without the proper permit (625 ILCS 5/11-1301)

What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

Depending on your situation, you may choose from several ways to resolve a traffic ticket. Below are the most common ways to do that:

Paying the Fine

Paying the fine is often the easiest way to handle a ticket. This option is treated as a guilty plea and will result in the violation appearing on your driving record.

Most Illinois counties provide convenient online payment systems through their circuit clerk's websites, but you may also pay by mail or in person. Instructions for each method are typically included on the citation itself.

Payments should be made on time, as failing to do so can result in additional fees or legal action.

Appearing in Court

For certain traffic violations, especially those considered more serious, you may be required to appear in court. In such cases, the court date will be printed on your ticket. Should you miss that date and fail to pay the fine, a second court date will usually be scheduled at least 30 days later.

Notification will be sent to your last known mailing address or, if the county offers it, by text or email. Failing to appear again could result in a default conviction. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you to your court appearance.

Contesting the Ticket

If you believe the citation was issued in error or you want to challenge it, you may plead not guilty and contest the charge in court. To begin this process, follow the directions printed on the ticket or contact the appropriate county circuit clerk's office.

At your hearing, you will have the chance to present evidence or testimony in your defense. For certain cases, particularly those involving more serious offenses, hiring an attorney may be helpful.

Options for Out-of-State Drivers

Illinois drivers who receive a ticket in another state that is part of the Nonresident Violator Compact (NRVC) have three options: they may remain ticketed to contest the charge, pay the fine directly to that state, or sign a written agreement to take care of the ticket later.

The agreement allows them to continue their travel but comes with the expectation of follow-through. If they fail to resolve the ticket as promised, the state that issued the citation may notify Illinois, and the driver's license may be suspended.

Recovering a Lost Ticket

Losing your ticket does not mean you are off the hook. You will still need to respond by the deadline. To retrieve the details, contact the circuit clerk's office in the county where the ticket was issued. They may provide your case number and the steps needed to proceed. Some counties also offer an online lookup tool for circuit courts.

To help drivers navigate these rules, the ILSOS (Illinois Secretary of State) offers the "Rules of the Road" manual, which explains the laws and expectations for safe and legal driving in the state.

How Does the Illinois Point System Work?

Illinois uses a point-based system to track traffic violations and help determine whether a driver's license should be suspended or revoked. When a driver is convicted of a moving violation, either by pleading guilty or being found guilty in court, the state assigns points based on the severity of the offense.

Each traffic violation is assigned a specific number of points from 5 to 55, with more serious offenses carrying higher point values. For instance, driving just over the speed limit may result in 5 points, while reckless driving or similar violations may go as high as 55 points. These points are added to your driving record only after a conviction is entered.

Not every violation is measured with points. Some infractions, such as driving with a suspended license, may result in automatic penalties like immediate suspension or revocation without assigning any points.

Furthermore, non-moving violations, such as expired registration or parking tickets, are not tracked through the point system but are generally managed through separate administrative processes.

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History

In Illinois, the length of time a traffic violation stays on your driving record depends on the severity of the offense. Minor infractions like speeding or running a red light typically remain for four to five years. More serious offenses, such as driving under the influence (DUI), are generally recorded permanently and cannot be removed.

If a ticket leads to a suspension or revocation, the associated information stays on your record for at least seven years after your license is reinstated. Additionally, license suspensions or revocations may remain on file indefinitely unless they are formally cleared by the state.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

Most traffic violations cannot be removed from your Illinois driving record through expungement or sealing. Criminal traffic offenses may be eligible for sealing or expungement, but only under specific circumstances.

For example, if a misdemeanor traffic charge was dismissed or resulted in court supervision, it may qualify for sealing. However, convictions for offenses like DUI are specifically excluded from both expungement and sealing under Illinois law.

In some cases, you may request that a court vacate a previous judgment, which could remove the conviction from your criminal record and stop further reporting to the ILSOS (Illinois Secretary of State).

How To Check Your Vehicle History

Illinois residents may access their driving record abstract in several ways. The most convenient method is online through the Driving Record Abstract system. To get started, you will need to provide some personal details, such as your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN).

After confirming your identity and submitting payment, you may download and print a certified PDF version of your record, which remains available for 5 days.

Alternatively, you may submit your request by mail. Fill out the Driving Record Abstract Request Form (DSD DC 164), include a check or money order, and send it to the Driver Analysis Section at:

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in Illinois?

The standard fee for a certified driving record in Illinois is $20. If ordering online, a processing charge will be added to the fee. Online requests are typically fulfilled instantly, while mail-in requests are generally processed within 10 days.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free

Free access to official driving records is very limited in Illinois. Parents or legal guardians of teen drivers (under age 18) may view those records at no cost using the ILSOS (Illinois Secretary of State) website. For all other individuals, there are no free options; standard request procedures and associated fees apply.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

In Illinois, a poor driving record may result in significant penalties.

For drivers 21 years and older, accumulating three moving violations within 12 months may result in a suspended license. For younger drivers under 21, two violations in a 24-month timeframe can lead to similar consequences.

Serious offenses, like DUI or reckless driving, may result in immediate action regardless of past violations.

When a license suspension is issued, drivers may request an administrative hearing within a limited window, usually 14 days, before the suspension takes effect. Reinstating a license requires paying a reinstatement fee, submitting an SR-22 form to prove financial responsibility, and, in some cases, traffic safety programs or court-mandated education.

For more severe violations that lead to a license revocation, the reinstatement process becomes more involved, with higher fees and longer SR-22 insurance requirements. Drivers may also face a probationary period following reinstatement, during which any new violation could result in further penalties.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

A poor driving record in Illinois may have serious consequences for both your insurance rates and job opportunities.

Insurance companies may use your driving history as a key factor in determining your premiums. Minor violations may raise your rates, while major offenses such as DUIs or reckless driving can lead to denial of coverage or policy cancellation.

Insurers typically review the last three to five years of your driving history, and some may consider serious violations beyond that timeframe. Additionally, many companies now use telematics programs that track your real-time driving behavior to adjust premiums based on risk.

Employers, especially those in transportation or delivery, may also review driving records before hiring. They often require driving abstract record checks to assess your reliability behind the wheel. For commercial drivers, federal regulations mandate that companies obtain MVRs from all states where a CDL was held over the previous three years.

Who Can Access Your Illinois Driving History?

In Illinois, driving history reports are protected by law to ensure personal information is only shared for legitimate reasons. The federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) only allows certain parties to request this information for specific, approved purposes.

Illinois drivers may request their own record, and parents or legal guardians may access the records of minors under their care. In addition to individual access, government agencies, courts, and police may obtain driving histories as part of official investigations. Researchers may also access records under special guidelines without revealing personally identifying details.

FAQs About Illinois Driving Records

Explore the answers to common questions about Illinois driving records below.

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