Before visiting please check the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)website for updated information.
- CDL facilities will remain open for CDL written and road exams.
- For Illinois residents who fly domestically, the federal government has extended the deadline to May 7, 2025 that will require you to use a valid U.S. Passport or obtain a REAL ID from the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. Visit the FAQ webpage for additional information. Take time to know your options. For information on other types of identification accepted by TSA, please visit the TSA website.
- To see what documents you need to apply for a REAL ID, visit the REAL ID Interactive Checklist. Come prepared and be patient when visiting a Driver Services Facility.
- All Driver Services facilities are issuing REAL IDs, with the exception of mobile units and express facilities (Diversey, Lockport, Orland Township, Rockford Auburn St. and Roscoe). To find the nearest facility, visit Facility Finder.
Obtaining an Illinois Driver's License
We recommend you bring both your driver’s license from your home country and an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you plan to drive a car while studying in the U.S. You must apply for the IDP from your home country before you arrive in the United States.
Things to know:
- You cannot apply for an IDP after you are in the U.S.
- To apply for an IDP, contact the authorities of the country that issued your driver’s license, or its motoring association, to inquire how to obtain an IDP.
- The IDP along with the valid driver’s license from your home country will allow you to drive in Illinois without an Illinois Driver’s License.
- An IDP does not replace a government issued driver’s license, but is its official translation.
You may drive in Illinois without a valid Illinois driver’s license under the following circumstances (found on page 5 of the Rules of the Road Booklet):
- If you are visiting or driving through Illinois, you must have a valid driver’s license from your home state or country
- If you are an out-of-state student attending an Illinois college/university, you and your spouse and children may drive with a valid license from your home state or country
We recommend you keep a copy of the Rules of the Road Booklet in your car when driving in the U.S. on an IDP and home country driver’s license.
To be eligible for a driver’s license, a foreign national must:
- Be authorized to be in the country for at least one year and have at least six months remaining on an authorized stay (shown on I-20 or DS-2019)
- Present proper identification documents
- Pass the appropriate exams (vision, written and/or behind-the-wheel driving exam)
- Present vehicle liability insurance card (if taking driving exam). Vehicle insurance is purchased from an Insurance Company.
Applying for a license with a Social Security Number
- Visit an Illinois Secretary of State Driver License Facility. The closest facility to campus is the one in Edwardsville:
1502A Troy Rd, Edwardsville, IL 62025, Ph: 618-656-8956, Visit their website - A person age 18-20 who does not hold a driver’s license from their home country must present proof of successful completion of a 6-hour adult driver education and training course. This course can be completed through a certified provider or online at advanceddrivingschool.org.
- Bring the documents listed below
- Be aware that your wait may be long. Have plenty of time available or be willing to return to the DMV office, if needed.
- You will be required to take vision and written tests and/or behind-the-wheel driving exam.
- You will be required to have your photograph taken.
- If you fail the driving or written test, you may apply for the license again after further study of the rules of the road.
- For more information, call the DMV office in Edwardsville at 618-656‑8956
Documents to present
- Application fee of $30 in cash or credit card (subject to change)
- Passport
- Original I-20 or DS-2019 showing your entry to the U.S. and current I-20/DS-2019 (if different from original)
- Most recent I-94 printout
- Car insurance policy for the car you will be using
- TWO items from the following list to show Proof of Address:
- Lease agreement with address listed, your name and signature of the landlord
- Utility Bill (electric, water, cell phone, etc., issued within 90 days of application)
- Official mail from college or university dated within 12 months prior to application, including driver’s license letter produced by ISSS
- Most recent bank statement
- PERSONAL MAIL IS NOT ACCEPTED AS PROOF OF ADDRESS
NOTE: The DMV is obligated to ask each applicant if they would like to register to vote. Your response must be no, as it is illegal for you to register to vote when you are not a citizen of the United States. If you say yes, it could lead to problems for future visa or Permanent Resident applications.
For Students without a Social Security Number
The Illinois Secretary of State’s office will issue a Temporary Visitor Driver's License (TVDL) for non-citizens of the United States who have been granted legal entry into the U.S., are temporarily residing in the State of Illinois, and are ineligible for a Social Security number. International students without SSN can only apply for TVDL at the DMV office in Edwardsville with a letter of ineligibility for SSN from the Social Security Office. You can obtain the ineligible letter from the SSN office in Alton. Alternatively, students can apply for TVDL at the DMV office in either Springfield or Carbondale. These two facilities do not require SSN number or letter of ineligibility.
TVDL Requirements for a "Non-Visa" Status Applicants
- Acceptable documentation to show proof of Illinois residency for the prior 12 months.
- Two (2) acceptable documents for proof of current residency.
- Show that you are ineligible for a Social Security number.
- Provide acceptable documentation that proves date of birth and verification of written signature.
- Provide a valid Passport or Consular Identification Card.
- Pay the appropriate fee and successfully complete a vision screening and the appropriate written and road tests.
- A Non-Visa Status Applicant TVDL may be issued only in a Class D, L, M, DL or DM, authorizing operation of a personal car, motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. A Non-Visa Status Applicant TVDL is valid for three years.
- Effective July 1, 2014 or after, a person age 18-20 must present proof of successful completion of a 6-hour adult driver education and training course.
- TVDL transactions not processed on Saturdays at the Edwardsville location.
- Download a brochure here
Documents to present
- Bring proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be using for the road test.
- Be prepared to be administered a vision screening, written and road tests.
- You must bring a completed Verification of Residency form.
- Pay the appropriate fee
- Have your picture taken
Illinois State Identity Card
If you are not planning to drive, the Secretary of State also issues the Illinois State Identity Card with your photo and information on it. You must have a Social Security number to obtain an Illinois state ID. This is an easily recognizable form of identification used for cashing checks, proving your age, etc.
Missouri Driver's License Information
International Students residing in St. Louis, MO, need to apply and pay for a Missouri driver license at a Missouri license office. You may surrender a valid current driver license (or one that is expired 184 days or less) from another U.S. state to the state of Missouri to waive your Missouri skills and written tests. All applicants are required to pass the Missouri road sign recognition and vision tests. For additional details, visit the Department of Motor Vehicle website in Missouri. A list of locations in Missouri are found here.
If you are between the ages of 21 and 69, you may apply for a 6-year Missouri driver license. If you are between the ages of 18 and 20, or you are 70 or over, you may apply for a 3-year Missouri driver license.
We recommend going to the office below, as they see the highest numbers of international student applicants in the St. Louis area.
Deer Creek License Office (it is located in a shopping center), 3238 Laclede Stations Road, Maplewood, MO 63143, Ph: 314-645-1044
Visit their website
- Documents to obtain a Missouri driver, nondriver license or instruction permit.
- Click here to view fee information.
- Download the Missouri Driver Guide here.
NOTE: The DMV is obligated to ask each applicant if they would like to register to vote. Your response must be no, as it is illegal for you to register to vote when you are not a citizen of the United States. If you say yes, it could lead to problems for future visa or Permanent Resident applications.
