If your CDL is up for renewal within the next 12 months, you may want to consider renewing it before July 1, 2015 before new identification requirements kick in.  After July 1, 2015 any new CDL application, renewal, upgrade or transfer will require the driver to show proof of legal presence and domicile.  This is a one-time requirement, but you will need to show the Secretary of State either a current U.S. Passport or a U.S. Birth Certificate, and they must be the official, original documents with a raised seal, no photocopies.  For CDL licenses that will expire after July 1, 2015 this will be required.  

 

We are telling you this now because it takes time to obtain a U.S. passport or even an original birth certificate issued by the county in which you were born.  If you don't have either of these documents handy prior to your CDL expiring, you cannot renew your license.  The SOS office will allow you to renew your license so long as it is within a year of expiring, so check your expiration date and if it's within a year, get it renewed before July 1 if you want to avoid having to provide a birth certificate or passport.  Also if you intend to upgrade our license for any endorsements, this new requirement also applies....so do it now:  BEFORE JULY 1, 2015.  If you are not within a year of renewal, you may want to check to ensure you have an original birth certificate or current U.S. passport in plenty of time before your license expires.  

 

Please visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com or contact the CDL helpdesk at 217.785.3108 if you have questions, or contact IFCA.