How to Get an Illinois Driver’s License at 18, 19, or 20

If you’re 18, 19, or 20 and applying for your first Illinois driver’s license, you’re in a specific category with its own set of rules — and most of the guides online aren’t written for you. Effective July 1, 2014, Illinois requires all first-time applicants under 21 (ages 18, 19, and 20) to complete a six-hour adult driver education course before obtaining a driver’s license, if they have not previously held a license or completed the classroom portion of a traditional driver education program. This guide walks through every step: the course requirement, the permit, the practice hours, and the road test. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to enroll in, what to bring to the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility, and how long the whole process realistically takes.

Looking for information on Illinois teen driver education (under 18)? See Illinois Teen Driver Education: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Summary

• Complete a state-required six-hour adult driver education course (required for all first-time Illinois license applicants under 21 who have not previously held a license or completed a traditional driver ed classroom program).
• Apply for an Illinois instruction permit at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility — pass the written knowledge test and vision screening.
• Log a minimum of 10 hours of supervised practice driving (including at least 2 hours of nighttime driving) with a licensed adult supervisor 21 or older.
• Hold your instruction permit for a minimum of 3 months before scheduling your road test.
• Pass the Illinois road skills test at a Secretary of State location.
• Receive your Illinois driver’s license (Graduated Driver’s License — Phase 3 Full License).

Do 18, 19, and 20-Year-Olds Need to Take a Driver Education Course in Illinois?

Yes — under Illinois law, all first-time driver’s license applicants under 21 must complete a six-hour adult driver education course, unless they have previously held a valid driver’s license or already completed the classroom portion of a traditional driver education program. The requirement took effect on July 1, 2014, and applies to any 18, 19, or 20-year-old who is applying for their first Illinois license.

The course covers Illinois traffic laws, road sign recognition, safe driving practices, the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, and the rules of Illinois’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system. It can be completed entirely online, on your own schedule. The Illinois Secretary of State mandates the curriculum; only state-approved providers may offer it.

If you previously held a driver’s license in another U.S. state and it was valid (not expired), you are generally exempt from this requirement — but you will still need to pass the written knowledge test and road test to receive an Illinois license. Verify your specific situation with the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services office.

What Does the Six-Hour Adult Driver Education Course Cover?

The six-hour course is a state-approved classroom education program covering Illinois traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, road sign recognition, the physical and cognitive effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, and safe driving behaviors. It is the adult equivalent of the classroom portion of a traditional teen driver education program.

The course is available entirely online, which means you can complete it at your own pace — in a single day or spread across several sessions. Upon completion, you receive a certificate of completion that you will bring to the Secretary of State Driver Services facility when you apply for your instruction permit.

Top Driver’s six-hour online adult driver education course is state-approved and available to enroll for $49. It satisfies the Illinois requirement for first-time applicants ages 18–20 and can be started immediately after enrollment.

How Do You Get an Illinois Instruction Permit at 18, 19, or 20?

To apply for an Illinois instruction permit, you must visit an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility in person, pass a written knowledge test and vision screening, present your driver education completion certificate, and provide required identification documents. You cannot apply for a permit online or by mail — the in-person visit is required.

What to bring to the Driver Services facility:

• Your driver education completion certificate (issued after finishing the six-hour course).
• Proof of identity — an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, U.S. passport, or other acceptable identity document.
• Proof of your Social Security number — a Social Security card, a W-2, or a 1099 form.
• Proof of Illinois residency — two documents such as a utility bill, bank statement, or school record.
• The applicable permit fee (currently $20; confirm current fee at the Illinois Secretary of State website before your visit).

At the facility, you’ll take the Illinois written knowledge test. The test has 35 questions — 15 on road sign recognition and 20 on road rules and traffic laws. You must answer at least 28 correctly (80%) to pass. Applicants who fail may retake the test; there is no mandatory waiting period between attempts for applicants 18 and older.

Once you pass, you’ll receive your Illinois instruction permit. This permit authorizes you to practice driving with a supervising driver 21 or older who holds a valid Illinois driver’s license and sits in the front passenger seat.

How Many Hours of Practice Driving Are Required?

Illinois requires a minimum of 10 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel practice, including at least 2 hours of nighttime driving, for first-time adult license applicants ages 18,19, and 20. These hours must be completed before you are eligible to take the road skills test.

The supervising driver must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid driver’s license, and sit in the front passenger seat for all practice sessions. A parent, guardian, or another qualifying adult may fill this role.

You are responsible for tracking and certifying your practice hours. Illinois does not require a formal log form for the 18–20 age group the way it does for drivers under 18, but many families keep a written record as a reference. Your supervising driver should be prepared to attest to the practice hours if asked.

Professional behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction with a licensed driving instructor is not required by the state for applicants 18 and older — but it is strongly recommended, particularly for drivers with little or no prior experience. BTW lessons with a professional instructor cover parking maneuvers, freeway driving, lane changes, intersection navigation, and pre-test skills that practice driving with family members often misses. Top Driver offers BTW lessons for adult drivers — contact your nearest location to inquire about scheduling and availability.

How Long Do You Have to Hold Your Instruction Permit Before the Road Test?

Illinois requires first-time applicants between 18 and 20 years old to hold their instruction permit for a minimum of 3 months before they are eligible to schedule a road skills test. This holding period runs concurrently with your practice driving — you do not need to complete your 10 required practice hours before the clock starts.

This is different from the rules for drivers under 18 (who must hold their permit for 9 months). For 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds, the 3-month holding period is the operative requirement — meaning the earliest you can schedule your road test is 3 months after your permit was issued, provided you have also completed your 10 practice hours.

What Happens at the Illinois Road Skills Test?

The Illinois road skills test is a behind-the-wheel exam administered by a Secretary of State examiner, during which you demonstrate basic vehicle control, parking maneuvers, and safe driving behaviors on public roads. You must provide your own vehicle for the test; the vehicle must be properly registered, insured, and in safe working condition.

The road test typically evaluates:

• Starting, stopping, and steering smoothly
• Obeying traffic signals, signs, and speed limits
• Performing safe lane changes and turns
• Parallel parking and angle parking
• Entering and exiting traffic safely
• Proper use of mirrors, signals, and blind-spot checks

Road test appointments can be scheduled online through the Illinois Secretary of State website or by calling your local Driver Services facility. Wait times vary by location and time of year — scheduling several weeks in advance is advisable in busier areas.

Top Driver’s Adult Road Test Service is designed to take the logistics stress out of your road test — you practice with a Top Driver instructor, get a ride to the test site, and use a Top Driver vehicle for the exam. To learn more or get started, call Top Driver directly at 1-800-374-8373.

What Kind of License Do You Receive — and Are There Any Restrictions?

First-time Illinois license holders between 18 and 20 receive a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) Phase 3 full license — the same class of license as any adult driver — but it comes with one key restriction. For the first 12 months after receiving the license (or until age 21, whichever comes first), the driver may not use a cell phone or any other electronic communication device while driving, even with a hands-free device.

That restriction aside, the Phase 3 license carries no nighttime driving curfew and no passenger restrictions — unlike the Phase 2 license issued to drivers under 18. You may drive at any hour with any number of passengers.

Once you turn 21 — or once 12 months have passed since your license was issued, whichever comes first — all GDL restrictions are lifted automatically. No action is required on your part.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

The minimum time from starting your six-hour course to holding a full Illinois driver’s license is approximately 3 to 4 months, driven primarily by the mandatory 3-month permit-holding period. In practice, most 18–20-year-olds complete the process in 3–5 months depending on how quickly they schedule their Driver Services visits and road test.

Realistic timeline breakdown:

• Six-hour online course: 1–3 days (self-paced online)
• Driver Services visit (permit application): Schedule within 1–2 weeks of completing the course
• Supervised practice driving (10 hours minimum): 4–8 weeks, depending on schedule
• Permit holding period: 3 months from permit issue date
• Road test scheduling and completion: 1–3 weeks (varies by location and season)

If you need your license by a specific date — for work, school, or another deadline — count backwards 4 months from that date and start your six-hour course by that point. Getting the course done quickly is the one step entirely within your control.

How Top Driver Fits In

Top Driver provides everything an 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old in Illinois needs to complete the licensing process. The state-approved six-hour online adult driver education course is available to enroll for $49 and can be started immediately — it satisfies the Illinois requirement for first-time applicants under 21. For drivers who want structured behind-the-wheel preparation, Top Driver’s Illinois instructors offer individual BTW lessons and road test services at locations across the state. Visit the Illinois adult driving school page for the full list of services or call your nearest location to inquire about scheduling.

Top Driver has guided more than 250,000 Midwest students through their licensing journey since 2003. The programs available to Illinois adults reflect the same curriculum and instructor standards used across all Top Driver classrooms.

Ready to Get Started?

The six-hour course is the first step — and it’s the easiest one to complete right now. Enroll in Top Driver’s six-hour online adult driver education course for $49 and get your certificate of completion on your schedule. When you’re ready for behind-the-wheel practice or a road test, find your nearest Top Driver location to learn what’s available in your area. For additional resources on safe driving habits, visit our safe driving tips page.