Photo: Asher Heimermann, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Everyone under 18 in Illinois must pass an approved driver education course to get a driver’s license. The course is at least 30 clock hours in the classroom and 6 clock hours behind the wheel with a certified instructor. This guide is for Illinois teens and parents choosing a course: who must offer it, who is eligible, and how it ties into your permit.
Key facts
- Required: for all license applicants under 18.
- Classroom: at least 30 clock hours.
- Behind the wheel: at least 6 clock hours on public roads in a dual-control car, taught by a certified driver education instructor.
- Observation: at least 1 hour watching from the back seat for every hour behind the wheel (6 hours in total).
- Permit: issued no more than 30 days before you start the course.
What does Illinois driver’s ed include?
| Part | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom | 30 clock hours | Covers Illinois Vehicle Code rules from the Rules of the Road, plus work zones, emergency situations and railroad crossings |
| Behind the wheel | 6 clock hours | Dual-control car on public roads; simulators and range courses do not count |
| Observation | 1 hour per behind-the-wheel hour | Riding in the back seat while another student drives |
The 6 hours cannot be cut short with an early proficiency exam. Simulators and range time can still be used for extra practice.
High school vs commercial driving school in Illinois
- High school: every public school district with grades 9 to 12 must offer driver education. It must give eligible students a course within 12 months of applying. Districts must also open the course to students at nonpublic schools in the district, including home-schooled students. The school or parent must tell the district by April 1 for the next school year.
- Commercial driving school: an SOS-approved commercial driver training school course also meets the requirement. These schools use the SOS form “Driver Training School Application for Teen License” for their students.
- Fees: districts may charge a reasonable fee for driver ed, capped by the School Code, but must waive it for a student who is unable to pay.
Who is eligible for high school driver ed in Illinois?
- You must be enrolled in high school.
- You must have passing grades in at least eight courses in the previous two semesters. Freshmen can count the last semester of eighth grade.
- The superintendent or chief school administrator can waive the grades rule if it is in your best interest.
- You can start the classroom part before 15 if you will be able to finish the whole course within 12 months.
If you leave high school before finishing
A student under 18 who drops out cannot have driver ed completion added to their record unless one of these applies: the instructor has written proof of enrollment in a GED or alternative program; the student has a GED; the student passed at least eight courses in the two semesters before leaving; or a parent or guardian and the regional superintendent consent in writing. The local superintendent or chief school administrator may waive conditions in the student’s best interest.
How driver ed connects to your Illinois permit and license
- Enroll, then apply for your instruction permit no more than 30 days before the course starts.
- Complete the course while you log your 50 practice hours. Those are extra to driver ed hours.
- Your high school reports completion to the Secretary of State, and it must show on your driving record before a license is issued. You or a parent can check with your permit number on the SOS website. The Illinois State Board of Education can also verify completion.
- Take the road test at 16 or older after 9 months on the permit. With a combined A or B in high school driver ed, you may qualify for the Cooperative Driver Testing Program instead of an SOS driving exam.
Common questions
Is driver’s ed required in Illinois?
Yes, for a license under 18. It is not a state graduation requirement, though some districts require the classroom part locally.
Can I do Illinois driver’s ed online?
For under 18s, the ISBE guidance describes classroom instruction and in-car lessons with a certified instructor. Ask your school or a licensed commercial school whether any part can be done online.
What if I wait until 18?
From 18 to 20, with no driver ed, you take the 6-hour adult driver education course instead.
Can a school refuse me driver ed for unpaid fees?
The School Code says the driver ed fee must be waived for a student who is unable to pay, and bars punishing students whose families cannot pay required fees.
Where do I go next?
See the Illinois GDL rules or the main guide, learning to drive in Illinois.
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State, “2026 Illinois Rules of the Road” (DSD A 112, July 2026), Chapter 3 (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois State Board of Education, “Driver Education Frequently Asked Questions” (isbe.net)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Instruction Permit Requirements” (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Driver Training School Application for Teen License” DSD CDTS 83 (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Graduated Driver’s License” (ilsos.gov)