Driving on a Suspended License in Illinois

Vehicular homicide, delinquent child support payments, and alcohol-related offenses are just some of the reasons that Illinois residents might find their driver's licenses suspended or revoked. In general, a suspension means the state has temporarily withdrawn your privilege to drive. A revocation, on the other hand, typically means your license has been terminated. If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you risk being charged with a serious crime.

Reasons for Suspension or Revocation

Your license may be suspended or revoked for a range of reasons in Illinois, such as if you:

• have been convicted of 3 or more traffic offenses within 12 months
• are repeatedly involved in motor vehicle collisions
• cause an accident that results in injury or death
• are convicted of fleeing from a police officer, and
• are convicted of certain offenses that occurred while you were in control of a vehicle, including certain sex crimes and drug offenses.

(625 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/6-206 (2026).)

License revocation is mandatory for certain offenses, including:

• reckless homicide if a vehicle was used in the offense
• driving under the influence
• commission of a felony if a vehicle was used, and
• leaving the scene of an accident involving death or injury.

(625 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/6-205 (2026).)

Suspension can also result from reasons unrelated to driving, such as if you’re delinquent in paying child support. (625 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/7-702 (2026).)

Reinstating Your License

The period of time your license is suspended or revoked will vary depending on the circumstances. When your period of revocation or suspension has ended, you must pay a reinstatement fee to regain your license. The amount of the fee depends, in part, on the reason that your license was suspended or revoked and typically ranges from $70 to $500. (625 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/6-118 (2026).)

You might have to meet other conditions (like paying child support) or pay other fees before you regain your driver's license.

Charges for Driving After Suspension or Revocation

Driving while your license is suspended or revoked is a crime. You might be charged with a petty offense, a class A misdemeanor, or a felony, depending on the circumstances of your case. Your charge and the possible penalties might be more serious if you have previous convictions for driving after suspension or revocation or if your license was suspended or revoked for certain reasons.

If your offense is a petty offense, the penalties include a maximum $500 fine. Offenses that are class A misdemeanors carry:

• $75 to $2,500 in fines, and
• up to a year in jail.

(625 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/6-601, 730 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/5-4.5-55 (2026).)

Under other conditions, you might be charged with a felony for driving while suspended or revoked, the most serious category of crime in Illinois. Examples of reasons for felony charges include having a specified number of previous convictions and driving while your license is revoked due to a conviction relating to reckless homicide. Felony fines can be as much as $25,000. (625 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/6-303, 730 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/5-4.5-50 (2026).)

The length of possible prison sentences for a felony in Illinois depends on the class of felony. Your sentence may be in one of the following ranges:

• for a class 1 felony, between 4 years and 15 years
• for a class 2 felony, between 3 years and 7 years
• for a class 3 felony, between 2 years and 5 years, and
• for a class 4 felony, between 1 year and 3 years.

(730 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 5/5-4.5-30, 5/5-4.5-35, 5/5-4.5-40, 5/5-4.5-45 (2026).)

In general, these sentences might not indicate the amount of time you’re required to actually serve in jail or prison. In many cases, the judge will suspend all or part of the sentence and place the offender on probation.

However, in some situations, you might face a minimum sentence. For example, if you’re convicted of driving after suspension or revocation, and the reason for the loss of your license was a reckless homicide conviction, you might face a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail or 300 hours of community service. (625 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/6-303 (2026).)

Legal Help for Driving After Suspension or Revocation Charges

If you’re charged with driving after suspension or revocation in Illinois, you should consider hiring an attorney. A conviction could result in steep fines and even jail time. Your ability to keep employment, go to school, retain insurance, and do many other things might be affected. While the law provides maximum and sometimes minimum sentences, if you’re convicted, your sentence will be shaped in part by the view that your local prosecutors and judges have of the crime. An attorney who is familiar with these cases in your area will be able to advise you about your specific situation.