Under 17 years and 9 months:
In Illinois, if you are under 17 years and 9 months old, you must be enrolled in an approved drivers education course in order to get your instruction permit. Approved drivers education classes include at least 30 hours of classroom study and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. Online drivers education courses do not fulfill this requirement.

Over 17 Years and 9 Months Old:
If you are over 17 years and 9 months old, drivers education is not mandatory in Illinois. However, it’s always a good idea for new drivers to take an Illinois drivers education course. With quality drivers education, you can:

• Learn the rules of the road and essential safe driving skills
• Have a better chance of passing your learners permit test
• Qualify for an auto insurance discount (where applicable)

Take the online Illinois drivers education course at your own pace and on your own schedule. Note: this course will NOT satisfy the drivers ed requirement for new drivers under 17 years and 9 months.

In order to get the instruction permit and eventually the Illinois drivers license, everyone regardless of age must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. Most people fail this test on their first try.

1. Be at least 15 years old.
2. You must provide Proof of name, date of birth, Illinois residency, Social Security number and signature for comparison.
3. Pass a vision exam.
4. Pass a written examination.
5. Be enrolled in approved drivers ed course if under 17 years & 9 months old.
6. Parental consent is required for applicants under 18 years of age.
7. Note: As of July 2007, an unmarried person under 18 years of age may have their drivers license cancelled or the Secretary of State's office may refuse to issue a drivers license or permit to an individual who fails to maintain school attendance.

• Your instruction permit must be used in the drivers ed class when an adult instructor is sitting beside you. You may also practice your driving when one of your parents, a legal guardian or a responsible adult approved by your parents is sitting beside you. This adult must be at least 21 years of age, have a license for the type of vehicle you are driving, and have at least one year of driving experience.
• The instruction permit is valid for 24 months and, if you are under 18, it must be held for at least 91 days prior to applying for the drivers license.
• All occupants under age 19 must wear safety belts.
• Number of passengers limited to one in front seat and to the number of safety belts in back seat.
• 11 p.m. curfew Sun-Thur; midnight Fri and Sat (local curfews may differ).
• Legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is .00.

Practice driving under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age and who has at least 1 year of driving experience.

If you are under 18, you must get at least 50 hours (10 at night) of driving experience.

DriversEd.com can help make this supervised driving period less stressful. Our Behind the Wheel Training Guide teaches important concepts and guides parents step-by-step through the process of teaching their teen to drive. It also comes with a FREE Passenger Side Rear-View Mirror which allows you to see exactly what your teen sees when behind the wheel.

1. Be at least 16 years old.
2. Present acceptable forms of ID.
3. Have held a valid instruction permit for a minimum of three months if you are under 18. At that time, notification of your completion date of drivers education must have been received from IL State Board Education and loaded to your record.
4. Present written certification from your parent, legal guardian, or, if there is no parent or legal guardian, a responsible adult, that you have had a minimum of 50 hours (10 at night) of behind-the-wheel practice time and are sufficiently prepared and able to safely operate a motor vehicle (if under 18).
5. Pay a fee.
6. Pass the driving test.

1. For the first six months or until you reach the age of 18, you are restricted to driving with only one passenger under the age of 20 unless you are transporting immediate family. Immediate family is defined as siblings, step-siblings, children, or step-children of the driver.
2. If you are under 17 and driving after curfew hours, you must have a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult with you. Your parent(s) or legal guardian must approve of any other responsible adult accompanying you. Curfew hours are 12:01 am until 6:00 am Sat & Sun, and for a period from 11:00 pm until 6:00 am Sun night through Thur night. In addition, local municipalities may provide curfew hours different than these. If curfew conditions are not met, your license or permit may not be valid during curfew hours.
3. A person who holds an instruction permit or a graduated license (under age 18) may not use a wireless phone while driving a vehicle. Provides that the prohibition does not apply to use of a wireless phone to contact a law enforcement agency, health care provider, or emergency services agency for emergency purpose.
4. As of July 2007, an unmarried person under 18 years of age may have their drivers license cancelled or the Secretary of State's office may refuse to issue a drivers license or permit to an individual who fails to maintain school attendance.
5. The legal blood alcohol level for a driver with a restricted license is .00.
6. All occupants under age 19 must wear safety belts.
   Full License is issued when the minor turns 18.