CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued a consumer warning Tuesday about scams related to the rollout of the Illinois Secretary of State's Temporary Visitor's Driver's License program.
The new TVDL program allows non-U.S. citizens to apply for Illinois driver's licenses even if they are ineligible to obtain Social Security cards. Madigan's office received reports of driving schools soliciting more than $1,000 from undocumented immigrants for so-called universal licenses that are purportedly recognized in most states. Madigan's office also learned of a scam targeting Illinois residents for hundreds of dollars that promised to expedite applications for a TVDL.
"The only legitimate place you can apply for a temporary driver's license is with the Secretary of State's office," Madigan said. "Other people who claim they can help get you a license or get it faster are only trying to scam you out of your money."
Madigan said TVDL applications may only be bought at designated Secretary of State facilities after making an appointment with the office. Applicants must pay a $30 processing fee, complete a verification of residency form and pass vision, written and road tests. The Secretary of State's office will then verify the information provided by the applicant. If approved, the applicant will mail the TVDL to the applicant's home approximately 15-20 days after the appointment.
Illinois AG warns of temporary driver's license scam
