Out-of-State Hearings FAQ

I live out of state, can I apply for reinstatement of my Illinois driver’s license?

Yes, you can apply for reinstatement of your Illinois driver’s license if you live out-of-state. The Law Offices of Davis & LaScola have represented hundreds of out-of-state clients before the Illinois Secretary of State. Clearing your driver’s license revocation in Illinois may allow you to apply for privileges in your new state of residence. There is more than one way to apply for driving privileges and we will recommend the course of action that will give you the greatest chance of success.

Will I have to return to Illinois for an in-person hearing or is an out-of-state packet sufficient?

Those out-of-state residents who live within 30 miles of the Illinois border are required to have an in-person hearing. If you live further than 30 miles from the Illinois border, you may either come to Illinois for an in-person hearing or submit an out-of-state packet. Depending on your specific circumstances, the Law Offices of Davis & LaScola will advise you on the best course of action.

If previously denied, can I reapply for driving privileges?

The Law Offices of Davis & LaScola are experienced in helping previously denied clients regain their driving privileges. Using your prior Secretary of State denial, evaluation and treatment documents, we will be able to determine where the previous hearing went wrong and why you were denied driving privileges. While reviewing the documents, we typically find that driving privileges were denied because of inconsistencies between testimony given at the Secretary of State and what is recorded in the evaluation and treatment documentation. We must clear up and properly address these inconsistencies at a new hearing.

My driver’s license was recently revoked due to an old DUI [i.e. twenty years ago], do I still need to go through the Secretary of State hearing process?

Even for an old DUI, Illinois requires that an in-person hearing or an out-of-state packet be completed in order to regain driving privileges. Many old out-of-state DUI’s that were never reported to Illinois are now showing up years later because of the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). This relatively new system is a national database that relays information between states on problem drivers. If you have a license in the current state you live in, the database may reveal the revocation in Illinois and subject you to cancellation in your home state. The “hold” from the Illinois Secretary of State must be cleared for you to renew your current driver’s license or obtain a new license in your resident state. We will obtain the PDPS records in preparation for your Secretary of State hearing.

Can I use any evaluator or treatment provider from the state I currently live in?

Generally, the Secretary of State will accept any evaluator or treatment provider. If licensed in the state where you reside, we will work with your evaluator to eliminate potential issues and problems that often arise. If you will be using an out-of-state evaluator, we will contact the evaluator to verify that they are aware of all Illinois Secretary of State requirements.

If I completed treatment for a DUI many years ago, do I need to complete treatment again?

We will determine whether more treatment is required based on multiple factors including the number of prior DUI arrests, when those arrests occurred, and the treatment already completed.

Do I need to have a lawyer represent me?

You have the right to an attorney but are not required to have a lawyer represent you in the out-of-state hearing process. However, it is highly recommended that you have legal counsel who is experienced and concentrates in this complex area of the law. Our office will guide you through the entire process from start to finish. We will obtain and review your driving record and arrest history, complete alcohol/drug use history, and [if applicable] obtain and review of all of your prior hearing records or denial orders. Our office will only agree to represent you if, in our professional opinion, we believe that we can obtain a successful result in your case. If we agree to proceed, we will provide you with detailed written instructions as to the specific steps to follow. We will review all of your documentation prior to submission and make certain that they meet all Secretary of State requirements. We will address any issues with your evaluator or treatment provider and verify they are resolved prior to submission. All questions you have will be answered promptly and accurately.