Can you drive in Illinois with a Ukrainian license?

Yes, as a visitor you can drive in Illinois on a Ukrainian licence that is valid, for the length of your stay. There is no fixed day limit as long as you do not become an Illinois resident.

The Illinois Secretary of State says that if you have a valid driver's licence from another state or country, you may use it to drive in Illinois throughout your stay if you do not plan to become a permanent resident. Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/6-102) exempts a nonresident carrying a valid home-country licence for the period during which they are in the state. The widely quoted 90 day figure applies to people who move to Illinois, not to visitors, although staying longer than 90 days can make you a resident in practice.

Driver's License and State ID FAQ (ilsos.gov)625 ILCS 5/6-102 What persons are exempt (ilga.gov)

An International Driving Permit is not legally required to drive in Illinois, and Illinois does not treat an IDP as a licence on its own. Because a Ukrainian licence is not issued in English, carrying an IDP or an English translation with it is recommended so police and rental companies can read it.

The Illinois Secretary of State states that Illinois does not recognize the international driver's license; driving privileges come only from your valid home-country licence, which you must carry. An IDP works as a translation document alongside the licence, not as a replacement for it. Illinois publishes no IDP requirement for visitors.

Driver's License and State ID FAQ (ilsos.gov)

After moving to Illinois you may keep driving on your valid Ukrainian licence for 90 days. After that you must hold an Illinois licence.

Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/6-102) lets a nonresident who becomes an Illinois resident drive for the first 90 days of residence on a valid and current licence from their home state or country, and says that upon expiration of that 90 day period the new resident must apply for an Illinois licence or permit. The Illinois Secretary of State repeats the same 90 day rule on its driver's licence FAQ.

Driver's License and State ID FAQ (ilsos.gov)625 ILCS 5/6-102 What persons are exempt (ilga.gov)

No, a Ukrainian licence cannot be swapped for an Illinois licence without testing. Ukraine is not covered by any Illinois test-waiver arrangement, so you apply as a new driver.

The Illinois Secretary of State publishes no list of foreign countries whose licences can be exchanged without exams, and its licensing pages require every applicant to pass any required exams (vision screening, written and/or driving). Only holders of valid out-of-state US licences surrender them as part of a transfer; a licence from Ukraine does not remove any testing step. Illinois' only documented licence recognition arrangements are with other US states.

Driver's License and State ID FAQ (ilsos.gov)Driver's License and State ID Card Information (ilsos.gov)

Yes, a new Illinois resident holding a Ukrainian licence must pass a vision screening and a written exam, and should expect a road test as well.

The Illinois Secretary of State says that to obtain an Illinois driver's licence you must successfully complete a vision screening, a written examination and possibly a driving examination, and there is no test waiver for licences from Ukraine. Foreign nationals who are not eligible for a Social Security number apply for a Temporary Visitor Driver's License, for which the Secretary of State explicitly requires a vision screening and the appropriate written and road tests. The word possibly reflects limited discretion for some transfers, so plan for all three tests.

Driver's License and State ID FAQ (ilsos.gov)Driver's License and State ID Card Information (ilsos.gov)

No certified translation is required by published Illinois rules to apply for a licence, since you qualify by taking the tests. While you still drive on a Ukrainian licence, carrying an English translation or an IDP with it is sensible because the licence is not in English.

The Illinois Secretary of State's published application requirements cover proof of name, date of birth, Illinois residency, Social Security number and signature; they do not include a certified translation of a foreign licence. Illinois converts foreign drivers through testing rather than licence exchange, so the foreign licence itself is not the qualifying document. An English translation still helps police, insurers and DMV staff read a non-English licence.

Driver's License and State ID FAQ (ilsos.gov)Driver's License and State ID Card Information (ilsos.gov)

Bring documents proving your name, date of birth, Illinois residency, Social Security number and signature, plus payment for the fee. The DMV verifies each of these before issuing an Illinois licence.

The Illinois Secretary of State requires acceptable identification proving name, date of birth, Illinois residency, Social Security number and signature; its Acceptable Identification list (form DSD X173) sets out the exact documents. Foreign nationals lawfully present but not eligible for a Social Security number instead apply for a Temporary Visitor Driver's License and must show U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services authorisation documents. Any valid out-of-state licences, permits or ID cards must be surrendered when the Illinois licence is issued.

Driver's License and State ID FAQ (ilsos.gov)Driver's License and State ID Card Information (ilsos.gov)