DUI laws — Illinois Permit Test

Driving under the influence is classified in Illinois as a violent crime, and a conviction stays on the driving record permanently.

Permanently means for the rest of your life, not for a number of years. That is what separates DUI from every other traffic offense here.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense that is classified in Illinois as a violent crime. If you are convicted of DUI, the offense will permanently remain on your driving record.

Driving on Illinois roads is automatic consent to submit to breath, blood, urine or other bodily substance tests to decide whether a driver was under the influence.

The consent is part of using the road, which is why refusing has its own penalty. Nobody signs anything for it.

When operating on Illinois roadways, you automatically consent to submit to certain tests. These can include breath, blood, urine, or other bodily substance tests to determine if you were under the influence.

After a personal injury crash or one causing a death, where officers have probable cause to believe a driver was impaired, they must request a drug or alcohol test.

In the worst crashes the test is not a choice the officer makes. The law requires it so the evidence exists.

If involved in a personal injury crash or a crash resulting in the death of another person, and law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe you were impaired, they must request a drug or alcohol test.

A driver who refuses a breath test may be held financially liable for up to $500 of the cost of blood tests if found guilty of DUI.

Refusing the cheap test does not avoid the expensive one. The bill for it lands on the driver who refused.

If you refuse to take a breath test or if an officer believes that a blood test may disclose the presence of drugs, you may be held financially liable up to $500 for the costs of the blood tests if found guilty of DUI.

A driver may have a qualified person of their own choice give additional tests at their own expense.

The state’s test is not the only evidence allowed. Paying for your own is a right the manual states plainly.

You may have a qualified person of your choice administer additional tests at your own expense.

How long does an Illinois DUI conviction stay on a driving record?

Permanently. Permanently means for the rest of your life, not for a number of years. That is what separates DUI from every other traffic offense here. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, p.49: “Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense that is classified in Illinois as a violent crime. If you are convicted of DUI, the offense will permanently remain on your driving record.”