Road Map to Obtaining a Driver’s Permit
At 15 years of age in the state of Illinois, young adults are eligible for their driver’s permit. This permit requires a trip to the Illinois Secretary of State Office along with a few other specifications. Understand the application process as you embark on this exciting learning experience.
- You must first gain consent from a parent or guardian to obtain the permit. With this consent, they are agreeing to guide you through the driving process as a coach behind the wheel and help you enroll in an educational program. They must be present when you visit the local Driver Service facility or Illinois Secretary of State Office.
- Enrollment in a driver education course is necessary to obtain a learner’s permit. When visiting the Illinois Secretary of State Office, you must be currently enrolled in a class in progress or a class that begins in the next 30 days. Proof of enrollment must be presented during the application process.
- Bring $20 to pay the Illinois learner’s permit fee and provide proof of identity. For more information on the guidelines regarding proof of identity documents, visit the Illinois Secretary of State Office website here.
- While visiting the Illinois Secretary of State Office, you will be asked to participate in a vision screening and take a written test. The written exam will cover material that can be found in the Illinois Driver Manual.
Once you have your driver’s permit, you can begin the behind-the-wheel portion of your course and practice with a parent, guardian, or adult of twenty-one years of age. This permit is valid for up to two years.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a driver's permit in Illinois?
In Illinois, you can apply for an instruction permit at age 15. The permit allows supervised behind-the-wheel practice with a licensed adult passenger and is the first step in the state's graduated driver licensing program. The permit is valid for up to two years, which gives most teens enough time to complete the required driver education course and supervised practice hours before applying for a full license at 16 with the appropriate prerequisites met.
What do you need to bring to the Illinois Secretary of State office for a learner's permit?
Plan to bring four things: a parent or guardian who can provide consent in person, proof of identity that meets the Secretary of State's acceptable documents list, proof of enrollment in a driver education course, and $20 for the permit fee. A parent or guardian must be present to sign for the permit. Acceptable identity documents are listed on the Illinois Secretary of State website, so check the current list before the trip to avoid a return visit.
Do you need to be enrolled in driver's ed before getting an Illinois permit?
Yes. Illinois requires teens to be currently enrolled in an approved driver education course, or enrolled in a course that begins within the next 30 days, before the Secretary of State will issue a permit. You must present proof of enrollment at the time of application. Top Driver provides enrollment documentation that Illinois facilities accept, and many families schedule the permit appointment to coincide with the start of the classroom phase.
What tests do you have to pass to get an Illinois learner's permit?
You will complete a vision screening and a written knowledge exam. The written test covers Illinois traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices, all drawn from the Illinois Rules of the Road manual published by the Secretary of State. Many teens study the manual cover-to-cover and supplement with practice tests in the weeks leading up to the appointment. You do not take a behind-the-wheel test for the permit itself, only for the full license later.
How long is an Illinois learner's permit valid?
An Illinois instruction permit is valid for up to two years. During that window, the teen completes the classroom phase of driver education, the behind-the-wheel training phase, and a required number of supervised practice hours with a parent, guardian, or licensed adult age 21 or over. The two-year window is generous on purpose, giving teens time to build skills without rushing. Once the requirements are met and the teen turns 16, they can apply for a graduated driver's license.
Who can supervise a teen with an Illinois permit during practice driving?
A teen with an Illinois instruction permit must drive with a licensed adult age 21 or older in the front passenger seat. That can be a parent, legal guardian, instructor, or another qualifying adult. The supervising driver must hold a valid license and be alert and capable of providing instruction. Top Driver behind-the-wheel lessons are taught by certified instructors in vehicles equipped with passenger-side brakes, which supplements the supervised practice families do on their own.
