How to Get Your Illinois Permit License

Enroll in a state-approved teen driver education course

30 hours of classroom instruction plus 6 hours of in-car driving instruction — required before you can apply for an instruction permit.

• Driver education enrollment/completion record

Apply for your instruction permit

Requires written parent or legal guardian consent. Pass the 35-question written knowledge test (at least 80%, 28 correct) and a vision screening.

• Parent/guardian consent

Log 50 hours of supervised driving

At least 10 hours must be at night. You must be supervised at all times by a licensed adult 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience.

Hold the instruction permit at least 9 months

Illinois requires holding the permit for a minimum of 9 months before applying for your initial driver's license.

Apply for your initial (graduated) driver's license

At age 16, visit a Driver Services facility with your 50-hour supervised-driving certificate, written parental consent, identification documents, Social Security number, proof of Illinois residency, and the application fee.

• 50-hour supervised driving certificate
• Written parental consent
• Identification documents
• Social Security number
• Proof of Illinois residency

Move to a full license

Graduated-license restrictions on driving hours and passengers end automatically once you turn 18.

Complete an adult driver education course, if required

Ages 18-20 who didn't take an approved driver education course in high school must complete a 6-hour adult driver education course (available online) before applying. No behind-the-wheel training is separately required.

Visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility

Bring identification documents, have your photo taken, and pay the applicable fees.

• Identification documents

Pass the written, vision, and behind-the-wheel exams

The written knowledge test requires at least 80% (28 of 35) correct to pass.

Receive your full license

Illinois applies very limited graduated-license restrictions to adult first-time applicants — you receive a full license upon passing.