roadwise.Open study app

Illinois driving lesson · Crashes & License Actions

Revocation and cancellation

A 3-minute lesson from the Illinois course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Crashes & License Actions
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
61, 62, 63, 64

Revocation is the most serious loss of driving privileges. It's indefinite, and you must reapply. Cancellation is different: the license ends because it was issued in error or you're no longer entitled to it.

Revocation

The indefinite withdrawal of driving privileges by the Secretary of State. Unless otherwise noted, you may reapply after a minimum of one year.

Handbook p. 61 ↗

Know the rule

Some revocations, suspensions, denials and cancellations stay on your record permanently. Driving while suspended or revoked extends the period and may bring jail time.

Handbook p. 61 ↗

Know the rule

The Secretary of State immediately revokes the license of anyone convicted of a moving violation that caused a crash killing another person. Repeat traffic offenders may also be revoked, and registration may be suspended during a revocation.

Handbook p. 61 ↗

Revocation offenses include:

  • DUI and Aggravated DUI
  • Aggravated fleeing the police (driving away when directed to stop)
  • Aggravated reckless driving (great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement)
  • Auto theft (a vehicle or vehicle parts)
  • Drag racing or street racing
  • A felony committed using a vehicle
  • Fraudulent ID (making, selling or using unauthorized IDs or licenses, or the equipment to make them)
Handbook p. 61 ↗

More revocation offenses:

  • A gang-related offense involving a vehicle or an Illinois license
  • Leaving the scene of a crash that killed or injured someone
  • Perjury: giving false information to the Secretary of State
  • Reckless conduct with a vehicle that injures or endangers someone
  • Reckless driving: three convictions in 12 months, or causing great bodily harm
  • Reckless homicide
  • Passing a school bus, causing a crash where someone died
Handbook p. 62 ↗

Cancellation

Termination of driving privileges by formal action, because of an error or defect in the license or because the licensee is no longer entitled to it.

Handbook p. 63 ↗

Know the rule

After a cancellation, you may reapply only once the terms of the cancellation are met.

Handbook p. 63 ↗

A license may be canceled for:

  • Being medically or visually unfit to drive safely
  • Not submitting a required medical or vision report, or not self-reporting a medical condition
  • Not appearing for, or failing part of, a required re-examination
  • Fraud in making a license or ID application
  • Being ineligible for the license or permit
Handbook p. 64 ↗

Put it into practice

A driver runs a red light and causes a crash that kills a pedestrian. After the conviction, the Secretary of State immediately revokes the license. The earliest they can reapply is after one year.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the minimum wait to reapply for a license after most revocations?
  1. 90 days
  2. Six months
  3. One year
  4. Two years

Answer: One year

Most revocations require at least a one-year wait before reapplying.

Handbook p. 61 ↗
What happens automatically if a driver is convicted of a moving violation that caused a fatal crash?
  1. A 30-day suspension only
  2. A fine only, with no license action
  3. Immediate revocation by the Secretary of State
  4. Nothing unless a civil suit is filed

Answer: Immediate revocation by the Secretary of State

A fatal-crash moving violation conviction brings immediate revocation.

Handbook p. 61 ↗
A license may be canceled if the driver is medically or visually unfit to drive safely.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Medical unfitness is a recognized cancellation reason.

Handbook p. 63 ↗
Which of these is a reason a license may be revoked, not just suspended?
  1. Failing to report a crash
  2. Auto theft
  3. Failure to pay child support
  4. Driving without insurance

Answer: Auto theft

Auto theft is a listed revocation reason, unlike minor infractions.

Handbook p. 61 ↗
What distinguishes a 'cancellation' from a 'suspension' or 'revocation'?
  1. It can never be reversed
  2. It always lasts longer than a revocation
  3. It applies only to commercial licenses
  4. It ends a license for an error, defect or ineligibility

Answer: It ends a license for an error, defect or ineligibility

Cancellation is the termination of a license because of an error or defect in it or because the licensee is no longer entitled to it.

Handbook p. 63 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Crashes & License Actions

All Illinois lessons