Photo: Meagan Davis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In Illinois you can get an instruction permit at 15 if you are enrolled in an approved driver education course, or will start one within 30 days. You need a parent or guardian’s consent, a passed vision screening and written test, and the $20 fee. This guide is for Illinois teens and parents getting ready for the permit visit.
Key facts
- Minimum age: 15, tied to driver education enrollment.
- Valid for: 24 months (two years) if you are under 18.
- Minimum hold: 9 consecutive months before a license, if you are 15 to 17.
- Fee: $20 for an original Class D permit (as of November 2026).
- Tests: vision screening and written exam. The results stay valid until the permit expires.
Who can get an Illinois instruction permit at 15?
You must be 15 to 17 and enrolled in an approved driver education course, or be within 30 days of starting it. A permit is not issued more than 30 days before your course begins. Your certified driver ed instructor signs the application, and either you or the instructor can submit it to the Secretary of State.
Driver ed options and requirements: Illinois driver education requirements for under 18s.
What if I am 17 and 3 months or older?
The SOS says you may apply for a permit without taking driver education from 17 and 3 months. Under 18, you still need driver education to get a license. From 18, first-time applicants with no driver ed take the 6-hour adult course.
Illinois permit checklist
- Driver ed paperwork signed by your instructor.
- Parent or legal guardian consent.
- Identity documents from the SOS acceptable documents checklist. First-time applicants apply in person at a DMV facility.
- Glasses or contacts if you need them. The vision standard is 20/40.
- $20 fee.
- Study for the written test. See the Illinois permit test guide.
If you want a REAL ID-compliant card later, see REAL ID and your first license.
Illinois instruction permit rules
- Drive only with your driver ed instructor, or a parent, guardian or responsible adult 21 or older with a valid license and at least one year of driving experience, sitting in the front passenger seat beside you.
- One front-seat passenger only (your supervisor), and no more back-seat passengers than seat belts.
- No driving Sunday to Thursday 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., or Friday and Saturday 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- No cell phone use while driving under 19, except emergencies.
- Log at least 50 hours, 10 of them at night: Illinois 50-hour driving log.
- Avoid tickets: during the 9 months you must have no infractions, underage alcohol convictions or court supervisions. Violations can delay your license and extend restrictions. See Illinois GDL rules.
Illinois instruction permit timeline
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 days before driver ed starts | Apply for the permit |
| Months 1 to 9 | Driver ed (30 classroom + 6 behind-the-wheel hours) and 50 practice hours |
| After 9 months and age 16 | Take the road test |
| 24 months | Permit expires |
Common questions
How long is an Illinois permit good for?
Two years (24 months) if you are under 18.
Can I get my permit at 15 without driver’s ed?
No. Under 17 and 3 months, you must be enrolled in an approved course or start within 30 days.
Do I have to pay again for my license?
No. The 2026 Rules of the Road says there is no additional fee if you get your license before your permit expires.
Can I drive with my friend’s older brother?
Only if he is 21 or older, holds a valid license and has at least one year of driving experience. He must sit in the front passenger seat beside you.
Can I drive in another state on my Illinois permit?
It depends on that state’s law: driving with a permit in another state. Main guide: learning to drive in Illinois.
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Instruction Permit Requirements” (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Graduated Driver’s License” (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Fees” (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “2026 Illinois Rules of the Road” (DSD A 112, July 2026), Chapters 2 and 3 (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois State Board of Education, “Driver Education Frequently Asked Questions” (isbe.net)