Buying a new car will not necessarily mean that you will need to obtain an Illinois driver's license however IL state laws do require you to change over your license, registration and insurance in a short period of time after you move to this state and become a resident.

The IL Secretary of State (SOS) states that as a new Illinois resident, you may continue to drive on your valid out-of-state driver's license for 90 days. CDL holders must obtain an Illinois CDL within 30 days of becoming an Illinois resident.

To obtain a new driver's license, you must visit a Driver Services facility to surrender your out-of-state license and pass a vision screening, written exam and possibly a drive exam. Proper identification must be presented so the SOS can verify your full name, date of birth, social security number, Illinois residency and written signature. The SOS website has a list of the documents you will need to apply for an Illinois driver's license.

Illinois state laws also require that you must change your vehicle registration and order new license plates within 30 days by filling out a form at a Driver Services facility. Find out what you need to bring with you before you go by checking out the Facility Checklist again online at the SOS website.

To be in compliance with the Illinois mandatory insurance law you need to have vehicle liability insurance in the following minimum amounts for your vehicles:

• $20,000 - injury or death of one person in an accident
• $40,000 - injury or death of more than one person in an accident
• $15,000 - damage to property of another person

Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/7-601) requires all motor vehicle owners to have minimum amounts of auto liability insurance. This IL law notes in part that the insurance policy shall be issued in the amounts no less than the minimum amounts set for bodily injury or death and for the destruction of property (as we listed above). It also states that no insurer other than an insurer authorized to do business in this State shall issue a policy.

In IL you must always carry your insurance card in your vehicle and show it upon request by any law enforcement officer. Your insurance company will send you an insurance card, usually when your insurance policy is issued or renewed.

To get started with changing over your California driver's license, registration and plates to have an Illinois license, registration and plates read through the SOS website information on being a new resident and contact them by phone or in person if necessary. This gives step by step information on how to get licensed and registered in IL. When you switch your registration and plates you will also need to contact the CA DMV to inform them that you have moved and now have registered the house elsewhere.

While you are in the process of getting yourself licensed and your vehicles registered and plated in Illinois start shopping around for Illinois auto insurance. You can start here with us by getting instant car insurance quotes. You will want to keep your California insurance in place until you have your IL auto insurance in place.