I now live outside of Illinois. Can I apply to Reinstate my Driver License Privileges?
Yes, even if you now live outside the State of Illinois, in most cases you can apply to have your driving privileges reinstated, allowing you to apply for a license in your new Home State of residence. Our firm has helped out of State residents restore their driving privileges for over 10 years. Contact our office for a free consultation to discuss your specific background and driving history.
Do I need to travel to Illinois?
No, our firm is now permitted to do online hearings via WebEx. It is possible to complete the entire reinstatement process without you traveling to Illinois.
How do I restore my driving privileges as an out of state resident
There are only two ways to restore your driving privileges: (1) an in person hearing - now done online via WebEx or (2) by completing a mail in out-of-state packet. With the option of online hearings to restore your driving privileges, we would not recommend the out-of-state packet. Contact our office to discuss your case.
What is a Non-Resident Out-of-State Packet?
A non-resident/out-of-state packet includes all of the documents to be submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State by an individual residing outside of Illinois and seeking the reinstatement of driving privileges in Illinois (in lieu of an in-person hearing).
It is important to remember that the standards imposed by the Secretary of State in determining whether or not relief should be granted are the same as those required of persons appearing before a hearing officer in-person.
As a result, anyone choosing to submit an out-of-state packet instead of personally appearing before a hearing officer is strongly encouraged to obtain the representation of an attorney. With the ability to now do online hearings our office would not recommend the out-of-state packet.
If I complete the out-of-state packet, what does it entail?
An out-of-state packet will allow you to avoid coming to Illinois, but that doesn't make it any easier than an in person hearing. You will be held to the same standards and evidence rules as you would in an in person formal hearing. The same documents and proof of treatment will always be required. We recommend you contact our office to discuss your case as it is strongly recommended that you hire an attorney to help you with the process and you explore the online hearing process instead. With the ability to now do online hearings our office would not recommend the out-of-state packet.
Is an out-of-state packet or in person (online) hearing required?
Yes. If Illinois has a hold on your license, the only way to clear that hold will be through an in person hearing or completing the out-of-state packet. This is the case even if you never intend to drive in the State of Illinois again. Due to the fact that all states communicate with each other now, Illinois has placed a hold in driver license database system that will prevent you from obtaining a license in your home state. Thus the requirement for the out-of-state packet or in person hearing.
I don't want an Illinois License. Do I still need to go through this process?
Yes. Even if you no longer live in the State of Illinois and have no future plans to drive here, because Illinois has placed a hold on you in the national database system, you will need to go through this reinstatement process. Our office will help remove the hold so that you can get a new license in your home state.
I've been denied multiple times or I can't get an answer back from Illinois on the out-of-state packet. Can I reapply?
Yes. Unfortunately a lot of our clients come to our office after they have been denied multiple times and/or Illinois won't give an answer on the out-of-state packet they submitted (The state always is looking for "more" documentation). The State of Illinois will typically give you the run around. Hiring an attorney to cut through all the bureaucracy really makes the difference.
My DUI is Really Old
Unfortunately the age of your DUI makes no difference with the State of Illinois. In a lot of cases, our clients have been driving in their home state for years and only recently did the old DUI "pop up" on their out of state record. Many old out-of-state DUI’s that were never reported to Illinois are now showing up years later because of the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). This relatively new system is a national database that relays information between states on problem drivers. This can cause the cancellation of your license in your home state or prevent you from renewing your license. Our office will need to remove the hold in Illinois to get you driving again.
How do I obtain treatment documents
You will need to show the State of Illinois that you did in fact complete your treatment. You should never have to "re-do" treatment. And there are some instances where evaluators can waive treatment but that is on a case by case analysis. Our firm can work with an out-of-state evaluator or we can put you in touch with one of our evaluators in Illinois to assist with this process. Once we review your case we can advise the best course of action.
My Treatment is Old. Do I Need to Re-Do?
As a general rule, No. Our office will review your background and any previous treatment already completed. We will recommend how to proceed.
Can I get a Hardship License if I don't Live in Illinois?
As a general rule, No. Some of our clients are not yet eligible for reinstatement through Illinois but would like to get a hardship license to drive in their home state. Unfortunately Illinois can not grant you a hardship license in your home state. In these situations, your home state would be the licensing authority to give you the hardship license. If your home state won't do this, you will have to wait until you become eligible for reinsatement through Illinois to begin driving again.
My Home State will Give me a License. Why will Illinois Not Release the Hold?
Once Illinois has revoked your driving privileges, whether because the offense occurred in Illinois or occurred in another state that was reported to Illinois, you will be required to go through this reinstatement process. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter whether you ever intend to return to Illinois or not.
Can I Move Back to Illinois after Reinstatement?
If you return to Illinois within three (3) years of being granted full reinstatement and apply for a license, you will be required to go through the in-person hearing process with the Illinois Secretary of State.
If you have four (4) or more DUI Convictions, you are subject to the lifetime ban. You will not be eligible to hold an Illinois license and you will need to go through the hearing process again. As a lifetime offender, you would only be eligible to drive on a permit for life, with compliance with the BAIID device restrictions.
Should I Hire an Attorney
The process to restore your driving privileges can be difficult. This is demonstrated by the fact that a lot of our clients come to our office after they have been issued a denial or multiple denials. Unfortunately it seems that this process has been set up to prevent you from getting your driving privileges. It shouldn't be that way. When you hire this firm, we cut down all the bureaucracy to simple tasks that need to be completed to get you driving again. We've been doing this for over 10 years.
Am I eligible for a hardship license through Illinois
No, as a general rule. You must be an Illinois resident to apply for a hardship license or have an out-of-state license with a need to drive in Illinois. If you live out of state, you option is to reinstate which clears you to obtain a license in your home state.
My home state will give me a license, but they say Illinois is preventing that. Why?
There is no negotiating with Illinois on this matter. Illinois law clearly states that if you are DUI revoked in this State, even if your DUI was out-of-state and was only reported back to Illinois, you must go through the reinstatement process.
Can I move back to Illinois and get an Illinois license after completing the mail in packet or the in person hearing?
If you move back to the State of Illinois within 3 years of being granted reinstatement after completing the out-of-state-packet, Illinois will require you to attend an in person hearing to obtain an Illinois license. If you are a multiple DUI offender with 4 DUI convictions, you will be required to go through the hearing process and will only be able to obtain a restricted driving permit with a BAIID device installed in your car.
Illinois DUI Lifetime Revocations
For out-of-state residents, If you have a lifetime revocation, you can apply to clear your driving privileges after 10 years from the date of your last order of revocation entered on your driving record.
