Many drivers don’t start the process to get their license right away when first eligible (15 years old). Some don’t take driver education in high school or college and decide to get their license a little later. Thankfully, prospective drivers 18 years old and older who chose to wait can still learn the beneficial skills and earn their Illinois driver’s license by completing an Illinois adult driver education course.
Read on to learn more about how to get a driver license in Illinois if you are 18 or older and some of the key benefits of enrolling in adult driver education.
How to Get an Illinois Driver’s License
The requirements to get your license in Illinois vary depending on your age. For example, the law requires new drivers under the age of 18 to complete a driver education course (30 hours of classroom training), practice supervised driving (at least 50 hours behind the wheel), and pass a road test before earning a driver license. Illinois also has a graduated license system that puts various restrictions on drivers after they are licensed while they are still gaining experience behind the wheel, such as when they can drive and how many passengers are allowed to travel with them.
The requirements for new drivers that are between 18 and 20 years old who haven’t previously completed a driver education course are a little different. They are required by Illinois law to complete a 6-hour adult driver education course, and they are encouraged but not mandated to do the 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
Even though supervised driving isn’t required for adult learners, gaining real-world experience before taking the driving test can help build confidence and increase the chances of passing on the first attempt. Practicing in different driving conditions—such as at night, in traffic, or during inclement weather—can also improve situational awareness and preparedness for real-life driving scenarios.
What’s Included in Adult Driver Education
The Adult Driver Education Program is designed to help provide prospective drivers in Illinois the information they need to help them drive safely. The course can be taken in a live classroom format or online. The largest selling point to choosing the online format is the convenience and flexibility it offers. You can access the course 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can access the course from any device that has internet access.
The courses will typically cover the following topics:
- Traffic laws
- Road etiquette
- Traffic signs and road hazards
- Defensive driving
- Impaired driving and substance abuse
Adult driver ed courses are six hours in length to complete and require the user to pass an exam at the end consisting of 20 multiple choice questions. Students must earn a passing score of at least 70% in order to complete their driver education and are given two tries to pass.
Successful course completions with the online course are reported electronically to the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS). When reported the user will receive an email with their completion certificate from the SOS. Note, however, that the adult driver ed course is separate from the written exam that is required to receive a license at the SOS.
Steps for Getting Your License After the Course
As mentioned above, after completing the adult driver education course, student drivers are highly encouraged but not required to complete some supervised driving (50 hours recommended) to help prepare themselves for the driving test with the SOS.
During supervised driving, students must have their learner’s permit on their person at all times while being supervised by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older with at least one year’s driving experience.
After completing the adult driver education course and gaining enough behind-the-wheel experience, students can apply for a driver’s license at their local Secretary of State Driver Services facility. Bringing a printed copy of the Adult Driver Education Course Completion Certificate is recommended to avoid any processing delays.
Once at the facility, students must:q
- Provide proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number
- Pay the applicable license fee
- Pass a written knowledge test
- Pass a vision screening test
- Complete the behind-the-wheel road test
Upon successfully passing all tests, students will receive their Illinois driver’s license!
Benefits of Taking Adult Driver Education
Taking an adult driver education course online offers several advantages over the traditional classroom option.
The biggest advantage is flexibility: Adult education classes online allow students to access and complete the six-hour course on their own schedule. This means users can take the course wherever they feel comfortable. Online instruction also utilizes videos and animation to help make the course fun and informative.
Additionally, an online course allows students to revisit material as needed, ensuring they fully understand key concepts before taking the final exam. This self-paced learning approach can be especially beneficial for those who prefer to review information multiple times before moving forward.
For more information on an Illinois adult driver education course and how you can enroll today, call Ticket School at (800) 558-9887.