IL · Drivers education
Illinois drivers ed guide
Illinois will not license a new driver under 18 without an approved driver education course, and first-time applicants aged 18 to 20 take a separate 6 hour adult course. On the ticket side, many minor offenses can end in court supervision, usually with a court-approved traffic safety program, and if you comply the case never becomes a conviction on your Secretary of State record.
Checked against Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services on 2026-10-23.
Illinois Teen Drivers Ed, Step by Step for Families
This page is for Illinois parents whose teen is nearing 15. There is no decision about whether to take drivers ed: Illinois will not license anyone under 18 without an approved course. Your real choice is where to take i...
- Course requiredYes, for anyone licensing before 18
- Course minimum30 hours classroom, 6 hours driving
- Permit age (enrolled in a course)15
Illinois Adult Drivers Ed and Your First License
This page is for adults in Illinois applying for a first license. Your decision depends on age. If you are 18, 19 or 20, Illinois makes you finish a 6 hour adult driver education course; at 21 or older, you need no cours...
- Course required forFirst-time applicants aged 18 to 20
- Course length6 hours or more, no driving
- OnlineAllowed when the provider is approved for it
Illinois Traffic School: Using Court Supervision on a Ticket
This page is for Illinois drivers holding a ticket and hoping traffic school can keep it off their record. It can, but only through court supervision, and the decision you face is whether to ask for it before you pay. Fo...
- What keeps a ticket off the recordCourt supervision, usually with a traffic safety program
- Supervision without going to courtOnly in counties designated under Rule 529
- Drivers under 21Must take the program to get supervision