Articles Posted in Drivers License Revocation

When Illinois driving privileges are revoked, driving relief may still be available through several different types of permits issued by the Illinois Secretary of State. These permits serve different purposes and apply to different categories of drivers depending on eligibility for reinstatement and DUI history. It is important to understand the differences between hardship permits,…

After a driver’s license revocation, a person may wonder if their revocation is visible to out-of-state licensing agencies. A revoked driver may believe that it is easier to obtain a driver’s license in a new state, rather than attempt to clear the revocation in their home state. However, due to the PDPS database, a revocation in one state should be visible to all other state driver’s licensing agencies.

As of July 1, 2024, Illinois has adopted a major change in its approach to non-citizen driver’s licenses. The state now offers a standard four-year driver’s license to undocumented immigrants and other non-citizen residents. These licenses bear the label “Federal Limits Apply,” and replace the former Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL), which was limited in both function and appearance. The legal framework supporting this shift is part of the legal trend to expand access to driving privileges, improve public safety, and reduce discrimination across Illinois communities.

Jennifer Wirth, Attorney at Law, has over two decades of experience with driver’s license reinstatement hearings in Illinois. She has won many awards for dedication to client service, including the Avvo’s Client Choice Award and the Martindale Client Champion Award. Wirth wins driving privileges for first-time clients in over 95 percent of cases on an…

In this article, we attempt to answer commonly asked questions relating to out-of-state DUI suspension and driver’s license revocation issues. The Illinois Secretary of State may revoke a driver’s license when an out-of-state resident receives a DUI conviction in Illinois, or where an Illinois-licensed driver pleads guilty to a DUI in another state. The Secretary…

This article offers an overview of the criteria to request a hardship permit before an applicant becomes eligible for full reinstatement of their driver’s license. The Secretary of State offers various types of driving permits to applicants, depending on their offense history and eligibility for driving relief.  If an applicant is not eligible for full…

In this article, we provide a basic overview of the Secretary of State hearing process for persons facing a driver’s license revocation in Illinois. The information is a generally summary of the law at the time of publishing and may be updated by subsequent articles. The hearing process for Illinois driver’s license reinstatement is often…

In Illinois, a DUI can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on a variety of factors. This article reviews the maximum penalties for each class of misdemeanor and felony. Generally, felonies and misdemeanors are distinguished by the term of imprisonment allowed for the offense. A felony is any offense that is punishable by…

If nothing else, it is my hope that this article dispels the myth that Petitioners should just “wing it” at their first hearing and retain an attorney for a second hearing if they are denied. This article explains why it is important to start our prepared at the first hearing with the Illinois Secretary of…

This article discusses whether a revoked driver can request full reinstatement at an Illinois Secretary of State hearing, as well as permit eligibility in cases where reinstating a drivers license is not available or deemed appropriate by the Secretary of State. The term, “Reinstatement Eligibility,” refers to the first date that a revoked driver is…