Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding driving records in Illinois. Driving records are different across all 50 states. Illinois driving records are maintained by the Illinois Secretary of State. They also are often referred to as driving record abstracts and motor vehicle records (MVR).
What information appears on an Illinois driving record?
- Convictions (traffic tickets, including those issued in other states)
- Accident Information
- Court Supervisions
- Sanctions (i.e. license suspensions, revocations and cancellations)
- Terms and conditions of the license (i.e. license class, restrictions)
- Personal identifying information (i.e. date of birth, height, weight)
What information on my Illinois driving record is available to my insurance company and the public?
- License status (i.e. valid, suspended, revoked, cancelled)
- Convictions
- Sanctions (i.e. suspensions, revocations and cancellations)
This is considered public information and is available to insurance companies, other businesses and private citizens. Personal information, including addresses, supervisions and accident information, are not available to the public.
What information on my Illinois driving record is available to the courts and law enforcement?
All public information:
- License status (i.e. valid, suspended, revoked, cancelled)
- Convictions
- Sanctions (i.e. suspensions, revocations and cancellations)
Plus:
- Supervisions
- Accident Information
When are convictions and sanctions removed from my Illinois driving record?
We previously addressed this question on an earlier blog post.
Convictions, which do not cause sanctions (i.e. license suspension or revocation), are removed approximately 4-5 years from the date the conviction was entered. Our attorneys may be able to help remove traffic ticket convictions sooner by filing a motion with the courthouse. More information is available here.
Minor supervisions and accident reports, which did not result in sanctions, are removed approximately 4-5 years after the supervision date or accident date.
Cancellations are removed 5-10 years from the date they were terminated.
Suspension, revocations and the convictions which cause them are removed 7-10 years after the sanction terminates. However, there are exceptions including the following:
- DUI
- Reckless Homicide
- Leaving the scene of a personal injury or fatal accident
- Commercial Drivers License sanctions
- Breath test refusals and failures (Statutory Summary Suspensions). However, for 1st offenders, the Statutory Summary Suspension is only displayed during the term of the suspension.
The above offenses remain on the public record for 10 years from the termination date of the sanction and are then kept on the internal record (still available to the courts and law enforcement agencies).
What are the different types of Illinois Driving Records?
There are three (3) types of Driving Records:
- Internal Records are for Secretary of State use only and consist of the entire driving history.
- Court Purposes Records are available to the driver, his/her attorney or a court official (prosecutor/State’s Attorney) and law enforcement
- Public Records are available to the driver’s employer, insurance companies, and private citizens.
How can I obtain my Illinois Driving Record?
The Illinois Secretary of State offers limited means to obtain your driving record. You may either:
- Visit your local DMV in-person, fill out the necessary form and pay a $12 fee.
- Mail your request with the fee to Springfield and wait ten (10) working days for processing and mailing.
- Contact The Davis Law Group, P.C. We can obtain your official Illinois driving record abstract and email you an electronic copy within 3 business days for a low flat fee of $62.00.
Illinois Secretary of State facilities often have long lines and wait times. The Illinois Secretary of State does not provide an online driving record service. There are a number of third-party independent online services that claim to be able to provide your Illinois driving record instantly. These services can only search public record data, they will NOT be able obtain your official Illinois driving record. The basic ‘driving records’ that these services provide may not be acceptable for your specific needs (i.e. employers, educational institutions or for court-purposes).
Contact our Chicago attorneys today if you have questions.