What Must You Do to Legally Own and Operate a Vehicle in Illinois?
Not every teen is gifted a car for their 16th birthday. If you’re looking to purchase your first gently used vehicle, there are a number of hoops you must jump through before you can lawfully own and operate a vehicle in Illinois. But before we get to that, you’ll first need to obtain your Illinois driver’s licence.
What Teen Drivers Must Do to Receive Their Illinois Driver’s Licence
Teen drivers seeking a basic license to operate a car in Illinois are issued a Class D license. Drivers must be at least 16 years of age, successfully completed an approved driver education course, 50 hours of practice driving, have held a Learner’s Permit for at least 9 months, and pass the three parts of the driver’s license exam in order to obtain a driver’s license in Illinois. First time Illinois applicants must also present two forms of acceptable identification to prove your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, residency and signature to receive their driver’s license.
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Steps You Must Complete to Own a Vehicle in Illinois
Looking to purchase your own car in Illinois? Beyond testing and acquiring your Class D driver’s license there are additional steps you must take to own a vehicle in the state.
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You Must Have a Car Title.
All vehicles in the state of Illinois require a Certificate of Title whether or not they are registered. This document shows that you own the vehicle.
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Register the Vehicle in Illinois.
To register your vehicle in Illinois, you must have an Illinois Certificate of Title. When you register your vehicle, you are providing the state with a record of that vehicle. Registration allows you to legally use your vehicle on Illinois roadways. Registration fees must be paid annually.
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Possess Liability Insurance (at minimum).
All vehicles operated in Illinois must be covered by liability insurance, which covers injuries or damages you may cause with your vehicle to other persons or their property. Vehicle owners are required to provide insurance information at the time of registration renewal. Once the vehicle owner signs the registration or renewal application, he/she affirms the vehicle is properly insured. Some vehicle classes are required to carry higher liability coverage under other laws, but liability is only required for a class D license. Evidence of liability coverage must be carried by the motorist or in the vehicle and shown to law enforcement officers upon request.
Penalties & Fines for No Insurance
According to the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, “The license plates of first time offenders are suspended until a $100 reinstatement fee and current evidence of insurance are provided. Repeat offenders are required to serve a four-month suspension period, pay the $100 reinstatement fee and provide current evidence of insurance before being eligible for reinstatement. While the license plates are suspended no one may operate your vehicle; however, you may operate other vehicles that are insured.”
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Pass an Emissions Test.
In compliance with the Clean Air Act, certain vehicles in various areas of Illinois must pass an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) emissions test in order for the Secretary of State’s office to renew the vehicle’s license plates. The IEPA is required by law to notify owners of the scheduled test month and year for their vehicle. Vehicle emissions testing is required in the following counties: all of Cook, DuPage and Lake, and parts of Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair. If you move from the area in which testing is required, you must notify the IEPA.
Driving Requirements by State Vary
Remember, these are the rules for new teen drivers in the state of Illinois. Different rules and conditions apply for those 18 years of age or older or out of state. View driving requirements by state here.
Top Driver provides drivers education courses in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio both in person and online according to each respective state’s requirements. At all of the Top Driver driving schools we teach both teen and new drivers to be safe and intelligent drivers.
Frequently asked questions
What does an Illinois teen need to get a driver's license?
Teen drivers in Illinois are issued a Class D license. To qualify, you must be at least 16 years old, complete an approved driver education course, log 50 hours of practice driving, hold an Instruction Permit for at least 9 months, and pass the three parts of the driver's license exam (vision, written, and road test). First-time applicants must also present two acceptable forms of identification proving legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, residency, and signature.
What do I need to legally own a car in Illinois?
Four things. First, you need a Certificate of Title for the vehicle, which is the document showing you own it; every vehicle in Illinois must have one whether or not it is registered. Second, you must register the vehicle with the Illinois Secretary of State, which is what allows you to drive it on public roads, and registration fees must be paid annually. Third, you must carry at least the minimum required liability insurance. Fourth, certain counties require passing an Illinois EPA emissions test before plates can be renewed.
Is car insurance required in Illinois?
Yes. Every vehicle operated in Illinois must be covered by liability insurance at minimum. Liability insurance covers injuries or property damage you cause to other people with your vehicle. You have to provide proof of insurance when you register a vehicle and again at each renewal, and signing the registration form is your sworn statement that the car is insured. You must also carry evidence of coverage with you or in the vehicle and show it to law enforcement when asked.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Illinois?
According to the Illinois Secretary of State, first-time offenders have their license plates suspended until they pay a $100 reinstatement fee and provide current evidence of insurance. Repeat offenders face a four-month suspension period in addition to the $100 reinstatement fee and proof of insurance before they can be reinstated. While the plates are suspended, no one may operate that vehicle, though the owner can still drive other insured vehicles. These penalties are separate from any ticket the officer writes at the traffic stop.
Which Illinois counties require an emissions test?
Under the federal Clean Air Act, the Illinois EPA requires emissions testing for certain vehicles in all of Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties, and in parts of Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties. The IEPA notifies vehicle owners by mail of their scheduled test month and year. Passing the test is required before the Secretary of State will renew the vehicle's license plates. If you move out of an emissions testing area, you must notify the IEPA so they can update your record.
How much practice driving do Illinois teens need before their license?
Illinois teens must log 50 hours of supervised practice driving before applying for their driver's license, and at least 10 of those hours must be at night. This is in addition to completing an approved driver education course and holding the Instruction Permit for a minimum of 9 months. The hours are tracked on a parent-teacher log that gets submitted when the teen tests for the license. Top Driver provides the log and guidance on how to make those practice hours count.
