Illinois GDL Rules: Teen Passenger Limits and Night Hours

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Illinois Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) has three phases: the permit phase (from 15), the initial licensing phase (16 and 17) and the full licensing phase (18 to 20). New teen drivers may carry only one passenger under 20 for the first 12 months, and must be off the road from 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends. This explainer is for Illinois teens and parents who want the exact rules and what happens after a ticket.

Illinois GDL at a glance

Permit phase: before your first Illinois license

• Get a permit at 15 if you are enrolled in approved driver education, or will start within 30 days.
• A parent or legal guardian must consent.
• Hold the permit for at least 9 consecutive months, with no driving infractions, underage alcohol convictions or court supervisions in that time. It is valid for 24 months.
• Carry only one front-seat passenger, who is your supervisor, and no more back-seat passengers than there are seat belts. Everyone buckles up.
• Complete 50 hours of practice, including 10 at night, with a parent or licensed adult 21 or older. The SOS says these hours are in addition to driver ed lessons. Track them with the Illinois 50-hour driving log.

More detail: getting an Illinois instruction permit at 15.

How many passengers can a 16-year-old drive in Illinois?

One passenger under 20. For the first 12 months of licensing, or until you turn 18 if that comes sooner, you may carry only one person under age 20. Siblings, stepsiblings, your children and your stepchildren are exempt. Passengers 20 or older don’t count toward the limit. Once that period ends, you are limited to one passenger in the front seat and no more in the back than there are seat belts.

One or two? Some sources say two. The Secretary of State’s current GDL page and the 2026 Rules of the Road both say one person under 20. An older SOS FAQ page refers to a 6-month limit; that predates the change to 12 months.

Worked example

You are 16 and passed your road test 5 months ago. You can drive your 14-year-old brother and one school friend aged 17 to practice. You cannot also pick up a second friend aged 18.

Illinois teen night driving hours

• Sunday through Thursday: no driving 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Friday and Saturday: no driving 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• These apply in both the permit and initial licensing phases.
• Exceptions under state law cover driving with an adult, to and from work, school or a church event, and emergencies.
• Local curfews may differ from the state rule.

What happens if you get a ticket on an Illinois GDL license?

• Passenger limit extended: a moving violation in the first 12 months adds a 6-month extension to the one-passenger rule.
• Moving to full licensing: you need a conviction-free record for the 6 months before your 18th birthday. A traffic conviction in the initial licensing phase can extend restrictions beyond 18.
• Unresolved tickets: Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/6-107(i)) says no graduated license is issued to an applicant under 18 who has a traffic citation with no court disposition at the time of application. The SOS GDL page says the same. Clear any ticket first.
• Night limit violations: under 18, driving during restricted hours in the permit or initial licensing phase can bring a suspension.
• Serious crash: under 18 and charged over a crash that caused serious injury or death, you may be denied a license or renewal, even if alcohol played no part.
• Court and suspension: see Illinois traffic tickets, court supervision and suspension.

Phones and alcohol rules for Illinois teens

• Under 19 with a permit or graduated license: no cell phone use while driving, except to call for help in an emergency. Details in the Illinois teen phone ban.
• Under 21: zero tolerance for alcohol. See zero tolerance laws.

What parents can do

• Consent: a driver of 16 or 17 needs a parent or guardian’s written consent. The parent or guardian who gave it can cancel the license at any time, for any reason, until 18. The license stays canceled until that person consents again or the teen turns 18, and the teen must then reapply, retake any required exams and pay the fees.
• Driving record: a parent or guardian of a permit or GDL holder under 18 can view the record free at ilsos.gov with an SOS-issued PIN.
• Completion check: students under 21 with a valid permit, and their parents, can check on the SOS website whether driver education has been added to the record.
• Guide and contract: the SOS publishes a Parent-Teen Driving Guide and a voluntary Parent-Teen Driving Contract. See parent-teen driving agreements.

Common questions

Do siblings count toward the Illinois passenger limit?

No. Siblings, stepsiblings, children and stepchildren are exempt.

When do Illinois GDL restrictions end?

At 18, if you have kept a conviction-free record for the 6 months before your birthday. Otherwise they can be extended.

Can I drive to work after 10 p.m. at 16?

Driving to and from work is one of the exceptions to the state nighttime limit. Check your local curfew too.

Can I use GPS on my phone as a teen driver?

The under-19 ban covers using a cell phone while driving. Set the route before you move, and see the phone ban post for what counts.

How does Illinois compare with other states?

See GDL laws by state. Main guide: learning to drive in Illinois.

Sources

• Illinois Secretary of State, “Graduated Driver’s License” (ilsos.gov)
• Illinois Secretary of State, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” DSD A 132 (ilsos.gov)
• Illinois Secretary of State, “2026 Illinois Rules of the Road” (DSD A 112, July 2026), Chapter 3 (ilsos.gov)
• Illinois Secretary of State, “Drivers Frequently Asked Questions” (ilsos.gov)
• Illinois General Assembly, “625 ILCS 5/6-107 Graduated license”, subsection (i) (ilga.gov)
• Illinois State Board of Education, “Driver Education Frequently Asked Questions” (isbe.net)