Ilinois Drivers Education

Teenaged drivers in Illinois must go through four phases beginning at aged fifteen and completing through age twenty before they may earn their right to drive. At each level, age restrictions, driving time restrictions and specific processes must be strictly adhered to.

Phase 1 - Permit Phase – Age 15

Your parent/guardian must consent to you obtaining a permit, you must enroll in a drivers education course, you must pass both written and visual testing, you will be restricted on your night-time driving hours, your permit must be held for a minimum of 9 months, practicing 50 hours – 10 of which must be at night – is required with a supervising properly licensed adult over the age of 21, you cannot be convicted of any driving offenses, passengers must each have their own seat belts (only one front seat passenger), you can only use a cell phone in an emergency. Learning permits are valid for 2 years. If you are found guilty of any driving offense you must attend traffic safety school, moving violations will result in your being unable to apply for your license for an additional 9 months, you will be ineligible for a ‘hardship permit’, and if you fail to drive without a permit you cannot apply for a license at all until you are 18.

Phase 2 – Initial License – Age 16 – 17

You must provide certification from your parent or guardian that you have completed the minimum driving time (50 hours with 10 night time hours), your parent/guardian must provide written consent for you to obtain a drivers license, you have to have completed your drivers education course, night driving restrictions will also apply to you and you must not be convicted of any driving violations for at least six months before you are 18 - if you are convicted of any driving violations, your initial license may not be issued until you are past the age of 18 -, all occupants in your vehicle must wear seat belts, and until you are 18 (or you have had a license one year) passengers under 20 are limited to one unless they are your children or your brothers/sisters – all must have proper seatbelts/restraints. The cell phone restriction in this phase is the same as in Phase 1. If you are stopped for a driving offense, you will have to go to court and attend a traffic safety course, two convictions in 24 months will result in the suspension of your license for a period determined by your history and how serious the offense is, moving violations during the first year will result in additional passenger restrictions and if your license is suspended, you will required to attend a remedial education course which you will have to pay for.

Phase 3 – Full Licensing – Ages 18 – 20

The only restriction that will remain in full force and effect is the cell phone usage. All other restrictions are removed unless you have failed to advance from Phase 2 to Phase 3. There are however some sanctions that may be imposed on you which include court supervision (limit to 1) if you are found guilty of a serious offense, two moving violations in 24 months will result in a minimum of 1 month suspension of your license – length of suspension being determined by the seriousness of the offense and you will be required to pay a fee for reinstatement of your license.

In 2008 new rules were put into place in Illinois which include your parents ability to request your driving records until you are age 18, an automatic 3 month suspension of your license if you are under 21and found guilty of any alcohol related violations and if you are found guilty of street racing your license will be revoked and your car may be impounded for up to 5 days.

You are encouraged to review the following documents while you are studying for your learners permit or your drivers license:

Illinois Graduated Driver Licensing Program
Administrative Hearings
Drivers License / ID Card
DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
Insurance / SR-22 Filing
License Plates
Rules of the Road / Traffic Safety
Title & Registration