International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

Driving in Illinois

International students may drive in Illinois with a valid license from their home country during their stay. This also applies to their spouse and children living with them while attending an Illinois college or university.

An International License is not valid in the State of Illinois.

For verification, please refer to the following exemptions 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 a home country driver’s license.

For the most accurate laws and regulations for driving in the state of Illinois, please review the Illinois Secretary of State website.

Obtaining a Driver's License

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office will issue a Standard Driver's License 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 an SSN number or a letter of ineligibility.

Eligibility

• Present acceptable documentation to show proof of Illinois residency for the prior 12 months.
• Provide one (1) acceptable document for proof of current residency.
• Be ineligible for a Social Security number.
• Provide a valid or expired up to two years Passport or Consular Identification Card.
  • Consular cards are only accepted from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
• Pay the appropriate fee and successfully complete a vision screening and the appropriate written and road tests.
  • If you fail the driving or written test, you may apply for the license again after further study of the rules of the road.
• A Non-Visa Status Applicant TVDL may be issued only in a Class A, B, C, D, L, M, authorizing operation of a personal car, a vehicle that does not require a commercial driver’s license (CDL), motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. A Non-Visa Status Applicant TVDL is valid for four years.
• A person aged 18 to 20 must present proof of successful completion of a 6-hour adult driver education and training course.

Where to Apply

• In Person
• Visit an Illinois Secretary of State Driver License Facility (Appointments now required).
  • Closest facility to campus:
    1502A Troy Rd, Edwardsville, IL 62025, Ph: 618-656-8956 - Visit their website to schedule an appointment
• You will be required to have your photograph taken.
• 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.

Documents to present 

• A current or expired (up to two years) passport or consular card (from one of five approved countries*) to verify your name, date of birth and signature
• 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
• Proof you have auto insurance
• Proof you are a current Illinois resident
• Proof you have lived in Illinois for at least a year**

Proof of Residency

The document proving residency for the prior 12 months must be dated a minimum of 12 months before application. The document proving current residency must to be dated within 90 days prior to application.

Acceptable forms of proof of residency include:

• Bank statement
• Credit card statement
• Credit report
• Pay stub or electronic deposit receipt
• Cancelled check
• Pension or retirement statement
• Deed, title, or lease
• Tuition invoice
• Letter on official school letterhead (enrollment verification letter from Registrar's Office)
• Certified school transcript
• School report card
• Insurance policy
• Medical claim or statement of benefits
• Official government mail
• Phone book
• Utility bill
• Consular card (must be valid for this purpose)

Optional State ID 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.

Attending the DMV

As of September 1st, 2023, the Illinois secretary of state has implemented a "Skip-the-Line" program at several DMV's in the state of Illinois. This program now requires anyone attending the DMV to make appointments for in-person visits. However, this will ultimately reduce the time they may spend waiting in line for services at the DMV. We implore all students to review the "Skip-the-Line" Program Informational Document to learn about scheduling an appointment at the DMV.