Obtaining Your Illinois Drivers Record

DuPage County Traffic Defense Lawyer Explains How to Obtain a Driving Record

When drivers in Illinois are facing charges for a traffic violation, they may not realize how previous offenses on their driving record can have an impact on the penalties they may face. Points are added to your driving record for speeding and other traffic offenses, and being convicted of three or more offenses within one year can result in your driver's license being suspended.

At Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C., we understand the confusing nature of Illinois' driver's license points system, and we work to make sure our clients are able to overcome the negative effects that traffic offenses can have on their ability to drive. We can help you understand how to minimize the consequences of traffic tickets and ensure that you will be able to continue to drive.

Obtaining Your Driving Record

Your Illinois driving record (also known as your driving abstract) will show the current status of your driver's license, the number of points you currently have, and any current violations or outstanding fines. Your Illinois driving record can be obtained in one of two ways:

• In Person - The fastest way to obtain your driving abstract is to go to an Illinois Secretary of State driver services facility, where you can complete a request form receive a copy of the record right away. There is a fee of $12, and payment using a credit card or debit card is subject to a $1 payment processor fee.
• By Mail - A second option is to send an abstract request form via mail. The form can be downloaded and printed from the Secretary of State website, and it should be mailed to Secretary of State, Driver Analysis Section, 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62723. The $12 fee should be included with the form. A response will typically be issued by the Secretary of State within 10 working days.

A parent or legal guardian of a child below the age of 18 can request their child's driving record by submitting the request form along with notarized written permission from the child, along with the $12 fee. For people who live outside the state of Illinois, a family member in Illinois can go to a Secretary of State facility and request a copy of their driving record, as long as they have a notarized statement that gives them permission to obtain the record.

Clearance Letters

In the past, people from other states may have needed to obtain a clearance letter from the state of Illinois to demonstrate that any holds on their driver's license due to traffic violations in the state had been lifted. However, the Secretary of State does not issue these clearance letters any longer. If you are required by another state to provide proof of your Illinois driving status, a certified copy of your driving record can be obtained by following the steps above.

Contact an Oak Brook Traffic Violation Lawyer

If you have been charged with a traffic violation, contact a DuPage County traffic ticket attorney at 630-472-9700 to schedule a free initial consultation. We serve clients in Elmhurst, Lombard, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Burr Ridge, and surrounding areas.