CHAPTER 6 - THE ILLINOIS DRIVER LICENSING LAW

625 ILCS 5/6-301

Sec. 6-301. Unlawful use of license or permit.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/6-301
Offense Description
Unlawful use of license or permit – Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent violation – Class 4 felony
Offense Classification
Class 4 Felony, Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
1 to 3 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/6-301 (Unlawful use of license or permit – Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent violation – Class 4 felony) is classified as a Class 4 Felony, Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: 1 to 3 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class 4 Felony, Class A Misdemeanor

1 to 3 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Class 4 Felony, Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 2490

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (5)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Unlawful use of license or permit – Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent violation – Class 4 felony Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/6-301 -> Class 4 Felony Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 2490 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful use of license or permit: Display or possess cancelled, revoked, suspended, or fictitious license – Class A misdemeanor 625 ILCS 5/6-301(a)(1) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/6-301(a)(1) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 2490 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful use of license or permit: Lend driver’s license or permit to another person or knowingly allow use thereof – Class A misdemeanor 625 ILCS 5/6-301(a)(2) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/6-301(a)(2) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 2490 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful use of license or permit: Display or represent as one’s own any license or permit issued to another – Class A misdemeanor 625 ILCS 5/6-301(a)(3) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/6-301(a)(3) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 2490 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful use of license or permit: Fail or refuse to surrender suspended, revoked, or cancelled license upon lawful demand – Class A misdemeanor 625 ILCS 5/6-301(a)(4) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/6-301(a)(4) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 2490 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 6-301. Unlawful use of license or permit.

(a)

(a) It is a violation of this Section for any person:

1. To display or cause to be displayed or have in his possession any cancelled, revoked or suspended license or permit; 2. To lend his license or permit to any other person or knowingly allow the use thereof by another; 3. To display or represent as his own any license or permit issued to another; 4. To fail or refuse to surrender to the Secretary of State or his agent or any peace officer upon his lawful demand, any license or permit, which has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled; 5. To allow any unlawful use of a license or permit issued to him; 6. To submit to an examination or to obtain the services of another person to submit to an examination for the purpose of obtaining a drivers license or permit for some other person. For purposes of this subsection, "submit to an examination" includes providing answers to the person taking the examination, whether those answers are provided in-person or remotely, via any electronic device, including, but not limited to, microphones and cell phones. (b) Sentence.

1. Any person convicted of a violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to a minimum fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service, preferably at an alcohol abuse prevention program, if available. 2. Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. 3. In addition to any other sentence imposed under paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection (b), a person convicted of a violation of paragraph 6 of subsection (a) shall be imprisoned for not less than 7 days. (c) This Section does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, law enforcement or other activity of any agency of the United States, State of Illinois or any other state or political subdivision thereof.

(d)

(d) This Section does not apply to licenses and permits invalidated under Section 6-301.3 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 104-260, eff. 8-15-25.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/6-301 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/6-301 (Unlawful use of license or permit – Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent violation – Class 4 felony) is classified as a Class 4 Felony, Class A Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: 1 to 3 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/6-301 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/6-301 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 5/6-301?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 625 ILCS 5/6-301 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/6-301 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-6-301
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes