Illinois DMV Appointment
Appointments are not mandatory for all Illinois DMV services. Before scheduling, it's wise to check the Secretary of State's website to see if your desired service requires an appointment.
The Department of Motor Vehicles is responsible for processing driver’s licenses, car registration documents, and other related paperwork in Illinois. Whether you need to renew your license or get a new one, it’s important to have an appointment before visiting the DMV. This will save you time and money and help ensure that your visit is as quick and easy as possible.
There are two ways to schedule an appointment for the Illinois DMV:
- Online
- By Phone
You can make an Illinois DMV appointment by calling the secretary of state’s office or going online. However, this process can be complicated and time-consuming. The department’s website is often difficult to navigate, and customers often spend hours on hold. If you want to avoid these problems, you can use a third-party company like DoNotPay to make an appointment for you. Here’s how to schedule an appointment online:
- Visit the Illinois DMV Appointments website: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/appointments/home.html
- Check if your desired service requires an appointment.
- If so, follow the prompts to schedule an appointment at a participating location.
Seniors (65+) can schedule an appointment by calling the Secretary of State’s office at 1-800-252-8980 (press 2).
Illinois DMV Hours
Customers can make appointments online, by phone, or in person at a local office. However, scheduling an appointment as early as possible is advisable because availability is limited during the pandemic. Customers can also save time by completing their entire transaction in-person online, which is available for many services, including renewing their license and purchasing plates.
The Illinois Secretary of State has introduced a new program to help people skip the line at their local DMV. Beginning September 1, 44 Secretary of State facilities in medium-to-large-sized cities will require appointments for driver services — such as renewing a license, updating it to meet Real ID requirements, or taking a driving test. Vehicle services, such as title registration, will still be offered on a walk-in basis.
The best way to avoid lengthy wait times is to visit your local Secretary of State DMV office during off-peak hours, such as the first and last days of the month, or on a weekday other than a holiday. Additionally, you should try to avoid visiting the office on the day immediately before or after a national holiday, as this is typically the busiest day of the month.
Illinois DMV facilities generally have two operating schedules:
- Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM (Note: Some facilities may not be open on Saturdays.)
However, it’s always recommended to double-check the specific hours for your nearest DMV office since some locations may have variations or exceptions. Here’s how you can find the details:
- Illinois Secretary of State website: The official website allows you to search for a specific facility using your zip code https://www.ilsos.gov/facilities/facilitylist.html. This will provide you with the exact address, contact information, and most importantly, the office’s operating hours.