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Illinois

The Illinois driver's manual isn't enough for the written exam. The Illinois permit practice test is just one more way you can prepare. We also have the Illinois driver's license renewal test, and many more, to help you pass the written exam.

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Illinois SOS Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your Illinois License
  • Preparing For Your IL Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your IL Permit Test
  • Renewing Your IL License
  • Taking Your IL Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your IL Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Illinois or Just Visiting?
If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

Yes. Illinois employs a graduated driver's license (GDL) program, which allocates restrictions and responsibilities over a period of time, until you earn your full license.

If you're 15 years old and driving on a permit, restrictions include:

  • No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday.
  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., Friday and Saturday.
  • Must be accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger who's at least 21 years old.
    • Passenger must have at least 1 full year of driving experience.

If you're 16 or 17 and driving on an intermediate license, you'll be able to drive on your own, however:

  • The same curfew restrictions apply.

AND

  • You will be limited to one passenger under age 20, for the first 12 months or until you turn 18.
    • Does not apply to siblings or members of your direct household.

What happens after I pass my IL road test?

What happens after you pass your Illinois, IL road test depends on your age:

  • If you're under 21: You will be given your provisional license.
  • If you're 21 or older: you will receive your full driver's license.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

While driving with your IL learner's permit, you can drive with anyone who's 21 or older and fully-licensed.

Once I get my IL permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

Once you get your IL instruction permit, you will be able to drive with anyone who is at least 21 years old and fully licensed.

What are the auto insurance requirements for IL drivers?

All IL motorists are required to carry bodily injury liability insurance that covers at least:

  • $25,000 per person.
  • $50,000 per accident.

How To Get A Illinois Driver’s License

Driving is a wonderful privilege—but it’s far from a right.

In order to legally drive in Illinois, you must prove to the IL Secretary of State (SOS) that you can responsibly handle a vehicle and follow the rules of the road.

Still, the process looks slightly different, depending on your age and the type of vehicle you want to drive.

Illinois Graduated Driver’s License (GLD) Program (Age 15-20)

Illinois has implemented a system called the Graduated Driver’s License program, which allocates certain driving privileges over a period of time.

The process has several steps, and you can start once you turn 15 years old.

Learner’s Permit

The first step toward getting a full driver’s license in the GLD program is getting a learner’s permit. Before you can apply, you’ll have to:

Once those conditions are met, make an appointment with your closest participating IL Secretary of State office, and bring:

  • Proof of your:
    • Identity and signature.
    • Date of birth.
    • Lawful status in the U.S.
    • Illinois address.
    • Social Security number.
  • Proof of enrollment/completion of an approved Driver’s Ed course.
  • The appropriate fee.

A parent or legal guardian will also have to sign a consent form on your behalf.

At this same appointment, you’ll need to successfully pass:

  • The vision screening.
  • The written driving exam.

Once the tests are passed, the paperwork filed, and the fee paid, you’ll be issued your Illinois learner’s permit. This will allow you to drive:

  • If you’re accompanied by someone who’s at least 21 years old and has their full license.
  • Between the hours of:
    • 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., Sunday-Thursday.
    • 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

Intermediate License

The next step in the process is your intermediate license. In order to qualify, you’ll first have to:

  • Practice for a minimum of 9 months on your learner’s permit.
  • Have at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice.
    • 10 hours must be at night.

When the conditions are met and you feel ready, the final step is the driving exam. Make another appointment with the SOS and bring:

  • Your current, valid learner’s permit.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity and signature.
    • Date of birth.
    • Lawful status in the U.S.
    • Illinois address.
    • Social Security number.
  • Certificate of completion for an approved Driver’s Ed course.
  • Signed driving log noting 50 hours of supervised practice.
  • The appropriate fee.

The vehicle you test in must also have current, valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.

You’ll also have to show up to this appointment with a licensed driver who’s 21 or older.

After successfully passing the exam and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your provisional license.

If you’re under 18, restrictions on this credential include:

  • Only one passenger under age 20 for the first 12 months, or until you turn 18, whichever happens first.
  • Only driving between:
    • 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.
    • 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

If you’re 19 or younger, you will also be restricted from using any form of communication device while in the car.

Full Driver’s License

Once you turn 21, you’ll be able to upgrade to a full driver’s license.

There are no conditions or restrictions on this license. Congratulations!

To earn the credential, simply go to the SOS and bring:

You’ll then be issued your license. The credential is good for 8 years.

Driver’s License (Age 21+)

If you’re applying for a first-time driver’s license in Illinois and you’re 21 or older, the process is a bit more streamlined.

Written Exam

To start, you’ll have to take the written knowledge exam.

Schedule an appointment with your closest participating SOS office and bring:

You’ll also need to successfully pass:

  • A vision test.
  • The written knowledge exam.

After passing the exam and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your permit. You’ll be restricted to driving with a fully-licensed passenger who’s at least 21 years old.

Road Skills Exam

To earn your full license, you’ll have to take the road skills exam. There is no mandatory waiting period if you’re 21 or older.

When you feel ready, schedule an appointment with the SOS and bring:

  • Your current, valid learner’s permit.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity and age.
    • Lawful status in the U.S.
    • Illinois address.
    • Social Security number.
  • The appropriate fee.

Note that you’ll have to show up to this appointment accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger age 21 or older. The vehicle you test in will also need current and valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.

After successfully passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your full driver’s license. Congratulations!

Transferring an Out-of-State License

Welcome to the IL!

If you’re new to Illinois, you’ll have to transfer your out-of-state license within 90 days of relocating.

To do so, schedule an appointment with your closest participating Secretary of State office and bring:

  • Your current, valid license.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity and age.
    • Lawful status in the U.S.
    • Illinois address.
    • Social Security number.
  • The appropriate fee.

At this appointment, you’ll also have to pass:

  • A vision test.
  • The Illinois written exam.

Once all of the above credentials have been met, you’ll be issued your new Illinois license.

Illinois SOS Motorcycle Permit & License Info

IL Motorcycle License

To apply for a motorcycle license in Illinois, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Pass an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)-approved motorcycle safety course, if under 18.

Once those requirements are met, there are two ways to earn your IL motorcycle license:

  • Through the Secretary of State office.
  • Directly through a motorcycle training course.

Motorcycle Training Course

The simplest way to earn your IL motorcycle license is by taking a training course. You must pass an IDOT-approved course in order to qualify.

Once this is completed, visit your closest SOS office and bring:

  • Your IDOT course completion certificate.
  • Your current Illinois license, if applicable.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity and signature.
    • Illinois residency.
    • Legal status in the U.S.
    • Date of birth.
  • The appropriate fee.

You’ll then be issued your IL motorcycle license.

NOTE: If you’re under 18, you will still have to pass the motorcycle road test to earn your license. You will have to schedule this appointment with the SOS. Make sure to bring all the above documents.

Through the Secretary of State

If you want to skip out on the IDOT course, you can still earn your motorcycle license through the Illinois Secretary of State. The process is broken down into two steps.

Motorcycle Permit


First, you’ll have to earn your motorcycle permit, which requires passing:

  • The motorcycle written test.
  • An eye exam.

Schedule an appointment with your SOS office, and bring:

  • Your current Illinois license, if applicable.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity and signature.
    • Illinois residency.
    • Legal status in the U.S.
    • Date of birth.
  • Proof of passing a motorcycle safety course, if under 18.
  • The appropriate fee.

Once the paperwork is handed in, the tests passed and the fee paid, you’ll be issued your permit. This comes with some restrictions, including:

  • No driving at night.
  • Must be under the supervision of a licensed motorcycle driver age 21 or up.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months and may be renewed once.

Motorcycle License

To turn your permit into a license, you’ll have to pass the road exam.

Schedule another appointment with the SOS office and bring:

  • Your current, valid driver’s license, if applicable.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity and signature.
    • Illinois residency.
    • Legal status in the U.S.
    • Date of birth.
  • Proof of passing a motorcycle safety course, if under 18.
  • The appropriate fee.

Once the above is complete, you’ll be issued your motorcycle license. Congratulations!

Illinois CDL Requirements

Illinois Commercial Driver’s License

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) will allow you to drive commercial vehicles and get paid for your labor. Before you can start the process, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Already have a valid Illinois license.
  • Pass a federally-approved medical exam.
  • Order a 10-year driver history report.

Once the above is complete, you can begin the CDL process.

Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

The first step toward getting your commercial driver’s license is getting your commercial learner’s permit (CLP).

The process involves passing your written knowledge exam. To take it, schedule an appointment with your closest participating SOS office and bring:

  • Your medical exam certification.
  • Your driving history report.
  • Your current, valid IL driver’s license.
  • Proof of your:
  • The appropriate testing fee.

After the paperwork is filed, the fee paid and the test passed, you’ll be issued your CLP. You must hold this credential for at least 14 days before you can take the road test.

While practicing on your permit, you are also required to drive with a CDL-holder who’s at least 21 years old.

Commercial Learner’s Permits in Illinois are good for 180 days, and may be renewed one time.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

To turn your CLP into a CDL, you’ll have to pass the driving skills exam.

Schedule an appointment with the SOS and bring:

  • Your current, valid CLP.
  • Your medical exam certification.
  • The Illinois CDL fee.

You must arrive to this appointment with a CDL-holding passenger who’s at least 21 years old. The vehicle you test in must also have current and valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.

After passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your CDL. Congratulations!

Illinois SOS Handbooks

Illinois CDL Handbook

Illinois CDL Handbook

Illinois CDL Handbook
Illinois Driver's License Handbook

Illinois Driver's License Handbook

Illinois Driver's License Handbook
Illinois Motorcycle Handbook

Illinois Motorcycle Handbook

Illinois Motorcycle Handbook