Illinois

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 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.

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

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.

As long as you successfully pass the driving exam, sign the proper paperwork, and pay the fee, you'll be issued your license after applying.

If you're under 18, you'll receive your full license with conditions. This allows you to drive on your own and in most situations, but still comes with several restrictions, including times you may not be able to drive.

Once you turn 21, as long as you have a clean driving record, you'll be able to apply for your full license through the Illinois Secretary of State.

If you're 21 or older, as long as you pass the test and pay the fee, you'll be issued your full license right away.

You'll have to apply at a participating Secretary of State office.

Most offices will process driver's license applications, but not all of them. Make sure to check online for the full list of licensing centers.

Appropriate documents depend on whether you're a:

• U.S. citizen.
• Immigrant/permanent resident.
• Non-immigrant.

Some common forms of ID include a:

• U.S. birth certificate or passport.
• Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.
• Valid alien registration card.

More information can be found through the Illinois, IL SOS.

If you're over 18, you'll need to bring proof of your:

• Identification and signature.
• Date of birth.
• Lawful status in the U.S.
• Illinois address.
• Social Security number.

To apply for your intermediate license when you're under 18 in Illinois, you'll need:

• Your valid permit.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity and signature.
  • Lawful status in the U.S.
  • Date of birth.
  • IL address.
  • Social Security number.
• A certificate of completion for a state-approved Driver's Ed program.
• A signed driving log showing at least 50 hours of practice.
  • Includes 10 hours at night.

A parent or legal guardian must also be present to sign the consent form on your behalf.

To earn your intermediate driver's license in Illinois, you must:

• Hold your learner's permit for at least 9 months.
  • Must not have any violations.
• Provide a signed driving log certifying at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice.
  • 10 hours must be at night.
• Take and pass the road skills test.
• Have a parent or guardian sign a consent form on your behalf.
• Pay the appropriate fee.

To get your driver's license in IL if you're 18 or older, you'll need to:

• Successfully pass a:
  • Vision exam.
  • Knowledge test.
  • Written exam.
• Provide proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Lawful status in the U.S.
  • IL residency.
  • Social Security number.
• Pay the driver's license fee.
• Pass an Adult Driver Education Course, if you're between 18-20.

If you're under 21 years old, you'll have to practice on your learner's permit for at least 9 months before you can take the road test.

If you're older than 21, you'll first have to pass the vision and knowledge test before you can schedule a road test.

Illinois offers something called a Relief/Restricted Driving Permit that allows those with suspended or revoked licenses to drive in limited occasions, if they prove the need.

No. Once you pass the written exam, you'll be eligible to take the IL road test.

During your Illinois road test, an examiner will ride in the passenger seat and give you verbal instructions.

You'll be observed and graded on your ability to:

• Make the proper checks and adjustments to driving controls, including:
  • Parking brake.
  • Mirrors.
  • Seats.
  • Safety belts.
• Smoothly and straightly backing up at least 50 feet.
• Performing a turn by using an alley on the left side of the street.
• Parking uphill on the side of a road.
• Starting the car from an uphill parked position.
• Parking downhill on the side of the road.
• Starting the car from a downhill parked position.
• Safely integrating with traffic, including when:
  • Turning.
  • Passing.
  • Changing lanes.
• Understanding the rules of the road, including:
  • Right of way.
  • Turn signals.
  • Traffic signs and signals.
  • Lane markings.

The examiner may also ask you to perform additional tasks.

You must arrive to your test with a fully-licensed passenger who's at least 21 years old. If you don't, you will not be able to take the test.

You must also have/bring the following:

• Your valid learner's permit.
• Valid registration and insurance cards for the vehicle you're driving.
• Valid front and back Illinois license plates.
  • If using a vehicle registered out-of-state, it must meet all of that state's standards.

Make sure to wear your seat belt and follow all safety laws. Failing to do so will automatically fail you.

You must be accompanied by a fully-licensed adult who's at least 21 years old.

The vehicle you take your Illinois, IL road test must meet all state vehicle safety standards, including fully-functioning:

• Brake lights.
• Turn signals.
• Horn.
• Driver and passenger-side doors and windows.
• Windshield, with no cracks or debris that would obstruct vision.
• Side- and rear-view mirrors, properly placed.
• Tires, in good condition and properly inflated.
  • Spares or donuts are not allowed.

The vehicle must also have valid and up-to-date:

• Registration.
• Vehicle tags.
• Insurance card.

Take your road test at your closest participating Secretary of State office.

Currently, permit and licensing fees in Illinois include:

• Driver's license, age 18-20: $5.
• Driver's license, age 21-68: $30.
• Driver's license, age 69-80: $5.
• Driver's license, age 80+: Free
• Driving instruction permit: $20.

Fees are subject to change, so it's best to check directly with the IL Secretary of State for the most up-to-date information.

The Illinois Driver's Manual is available online. You can also ask your local IL SOS office for a copy.

In Illinois, you must be at least:

• 15 years old to apply for your learner's permit.
• 15 years, 9 months old to apply for your intermediate license.
• 21 years old to apply for your full license.

Currently, permit and licensing fees in Illinois include:

• Driver's license, age 18-20: $5.
• Driver's license, age 21-68: $30.
• Driver's license, age 69-80: $5.
• Driver's license, age 80+: Free
• Driving instruction permit: $20.

Fees are subject to change, so it's best to check directly with the IL Secretary of State for the most up-to-date information.

No. There is no requirement to pass a drug test before being issued your Illinois driving permit.

No. The Illinois, IL written exam is not open book, which is why it's especially important to study or take a practice test beforehand.

Yes. If you're under 18 years old, you will need a parent, legal guardian, or certified driving instructor to sign a consent form on your behalf before you can be issued your permit.

To get your learner's permit in Illinois, IL, you'll need to bring in:

• Proof of your:
  • Identity and signature.
  • Date of birth.
  • Illinois residency.
  • Social Security number.
  • Legal presence in the U.S.
• The appropriate fee.
• Proof of enrollment in a state-approved Driver's Ed course.

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

You must be at least 15 years old to apply for an Illinois learner's permit.

Before you can apply for an Illinois learner's permit, you'll have to:

• Be at least 15 years old.
• Be enrolled in or have recently passed a state-approved Driver's Ed program.

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.

If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian will also have to sign paperwork 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.

The Illinois written driver's exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions. General topics include:

• Illinois traffic laws.
• Safe driving practices.
• Identifying traffic signs and signals by:
  • Shape.
  • Color.
  • Symbol.
• Identifying paving markings.

All questions will be sourced directly from the IL Driver's Manual, though you may also want to study with a free practice test.

Yes. If you're under age 21 when applying for your permit, you will need to first complete an approved Driver's Ed course.

Reading the Illinois Driver's Manual is the best idea to learn the information.

You can also find a number of practice tests online.

Yes. You'll have to pass a vision test to earn your IL learner's permit.

When applying for your IL license, you'll be asked about any physical or mental conditions that may impair you while driving.

Depending on the answers, you may be asked to provide a Medical Report from a licensed physician clearing you to drive. The IL SOS has more details.

If you're under 18, you must show up with a parent or legal guardian who can sign a consent form on your behalf.

Otherwise, you must be accompanied by someone age 21 or older who has their full license.

You can contact the Illinois, IL Secretary of State by:

• Email.
• Phone.
• Regular mail.
• On social media.

Details can be found on the IL Secretary of State's website.

You can apply for a learner's permit in Illinois when you're 15 years old.

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.

When driving on your Illinois learner's permit, you must:

• Only drive when accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger at least 21 years old.
• Only drive between:
  • 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.
  • 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

To get your IL driver's license, you'll have to fill out the state's driver's license application, which will be provided for you by the SOS.

If you're under 18, you'll also need a parent or guardian there to sign a consent form on your behalf.

To get your Illinois driver's license, you'll have to pass:

• A vision exam.
• The written test.
• A driving skills test.

Before you can apply for your permit, you must complete:

• A state-approved Driver's Ed course, if you're under 18.
• An Adult Driver Education Course, if you're 18-20 years old.

Details can be found with the Illinois Secretary of State.

Before you can apply for your Illinois, IL learner's permit, you must:

• Be at least 15 years old.
• Pass or be enrolled in a state-approved Driver's Ed course.

To be eligible for an Illinois instruction permit, you must:

• Be at least 15 years old.
• Pass or be enrolled in a state-approved Driver's Ed course.
• Pass:
  • A vision test.
  • The written knowledge exam.
• Provide proof of your:
  • Identity and signature.
  • Legal status in the United States.
  • Illinois residency.
  • Social Security number.
  • Date of birth.
• Pay the permit fee.
• Have a parent or guardian sign a consent form on your behalf, if you're under 18.

Yes. A vision screening is required when renewing your IL license.

It may be possible to renew your Illinois license by mail. The Secretary of State office will mail you a letter 60 to 90 days before your license expires with instructions on how to renew your license.

Yes. If you keep a clean driving record for 4 years in Illinois, you will qualify for the state's Safe Driver program, which allows you to renew your license online.

To renew your license in Illinois, you'll need to provide proof of your:

• Identity and signature.
• IL residency.
• Social Security number.
• Date of birth.
• Legal presence in the United States.

You'll also need to surrender your current license and pay the appropriate fee to complete the process.

You may be able to renew your IL license online if you:

• Received your renewal letter from the SOS, providing your PIN number.
• Do not require a written exam retest.
• Do not require a road exam retest.

Otherwise, you can renew your license in person at the IL SOS if you schedule an appointment.

Your Illinois, IL driver's license must be renewed every 8 years.

You can renew your license any time up to a year before its expiration date.

Illinois, IL license renewals currently cost $30.

Fees are subject to change. It's best to check directly with the IL SOS for the most up-to-date information.

No. When you take the test, it will only be you and the examiner in the car.

However, you'll have to arrive to the test with a legally-licensed passenger who's at least 21 years old.

You can take the Illinois written test up to 3 times in a year-long period. Help make sure the third time's the charm with a free practice test!

If you fail your test, you will have to wait at least 7 days before you can try again.

Yes, every question on the test is multiple choice.

At the same appointment you take your written test, you'll also have to bring:

• Proof of your:
  • Identity and signature.
  • Lawful status in the U.S.
  • Date of birth.
  • Illinois address.
  • Social Security number.
• The learner's permit fee.
• A certificate of completion for a state-approved Driver's Ed course, if under 21.

A parent or guardian will also have to sign a consent form on your behalf if you're under 18.

The Illinois written driver's exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions. Major topics include:

• Illinois traffic laws.
• Safe driving practices.
• Identifying traffic signs and signals by:
  • Shape.
  • Color.
  • Symbol.
• Identifying paving markings.

All questions will be sourced directly from the IL Driver's Manual, though you may also want to study with a free practice test.

Yes. You can schedule your Illinois knowledge test through the Secretary of State.

Some IL SOS locations may be open on Saturdays. You'll have to check online when scheduling an appointment.

Your written knowledge exam will be administered on the computer at the Illinois Secretary of State office.

If you have special needs, you can arrange alternate formats with the IL SOS. Make sure the Illinois, IL Secretary of State is aware of any additional help you may need when scheduling your appointment.

You can schedule your driving exam online.

After you pass the written knowledge test, you'll be issued your Illinois learner's permit.

You can take the test in person at any participating SOS office.

If you failed your IL road test, you'll have the chance to reschedule and try again.

In the meantime don't panic, practice!

If you failed your Illinois driving skills test, you will have to wait a minimum of 7 days before you can try again.

The state will give you 3 chances over the course of 1 year to pass the test.

Yes. If you fail your written exam, you will have to wait at least 7 days before retesting.

The state will give you 3 chances to pass the test over a period of 1 year.

In the meantime, you may want to study with a free practice test!

If you don't pass your written test in IL, you won't be issued your learner's permit. You'll have to take and pass the test in order to move on in the licensing process.

If you don't pass the written test, you'll also have to wait at least 7 days before you can take it again.

You'll have 3 chances to take the test over the course of a year but by practicing with a free practice test, you'll likely only need one!

If you have no intention of permanently relocating to Illinois, there's no limit on how long you can drive on your out-of-state license. This includes anyone in the state for:

• School.
• Active military duty.
• Seasonal housing.

If you do plan on relocating to Illinois permanently, you have 90 days after establishing residency to transfer your license.

Yes. Illinois will accept your out-of-state permit, as long as it's valid, and you are accompanied by a fully-licensed driver who's at least 21 years old.

Yes. Even if your out-of-state license is still valid, you will need to take an eye exam and pass a written test to transfer your license to Illinois.

If you're moving to Illinois, IL, you have 90 days from establishing residency to transfer your out-of-state license.

The biggest mistake people make is taking the test for granted.

While it's not necessarily designed to be tricky, it can be difficult if you don't study the laws.

Make sure to give yourself enough time to study the IL Driver's Manual and take some free practice tests in order to give yourself the best chance possible for passing.

The Illinois written exam consists of 35 questions, and you must answer at least 28 of them correctly in order to pass.

There are 35 total questions on the IL permit exam, all of which are multiple choice.

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

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

To apply for a Relief/Restricted Driving Permit in IL, you'll have to contact an informal hearing officer for a consultation. You'll then be provided more information on your specific case and advised how to proceed.

More information and details are available through the IL SOS.

The IL written knowledge exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions. You will be able to get 7 questions wrong and still pass.

Studying with a free practice test may help ensure you get far more questions right than wrong!