Supervised practice and driver education in Illinois

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state the minimum classroom and behind-the-wheel hours in an approved driver education course.
• You can explain the 50-hour supervised practice rule, including the night hours.
• You can describe who may supervise your practice.
• You can explain the Cooperative Driver Testing Program.
• You can describe the adult driver education requirement for ages 18 to 20.

What you need to know and understand

• Approved driver education for under 18s includes at least 30 hours of classroom study and six hours of behind-the-wheel training.
• Drivers under 18 need at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night, in addition to driver education.
• A driving log for tracking hours is available from the SOS and in the Parent-Teen Driving Guide, and you bring it, signed, when you apply for a license.
• A supervisor must be 21 or older, hold a valid license, have at least one year of driving experience and sit in the front passenger seat.
• The SOS must receive notice that you completed driver education before your license is issued.
• First-time drivers aged 18 to 20 without driver education must complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course from an SOS-certified provider.

Driver education for teens

Most Illinois teens take driver education at high school or at a commercial driver training school licensed by the SOS. An approved course has at least 30 hours in the classroom and six hours behind the wheel in an ordinary passenger car. Your instruction permit lets you drive with the instructor during the in-car lessons.

When you finish, the provider notifies the SOS and a notation is added to your driving record. You and your parent can check whether it has been added using your instruction permit number on the SOS website.

Logging your 50 hours

After or alongside driver education you keep practicing with a qualified adult. Use the official log to record each drive and make sure the required signature is on it before your license appointment.

• Total of at least 50 hours behind the wheel.
• At least 10 of those hours at night.
• Supervisor aged 21 or older with a valid license and at least one year of experience, sitting beside you.
• Permit-phase nighttime limits still apply to practice drives.

The Cooperative Driver Testing Program and the adult course

High school students who complete an accredited course with a combined grade of A or B may be exempt from the SOS driving exam if their school takes part in this voluntary program. After passing a driving exam given through the school, they receive a Cooperative Driver Testing Certificate signed by the instructor and a parent. It expires on the same day as the permit and must be presented at the facility. Students whose birthdays fall on certain spot check dates must still take an SOS driving exam.

If you are 18, 19 or 20 and have never been licensed or completed driver education, you must finish a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course, in a classroom or online, with an SOS-certified provider. Courses from uncertified providers are not accepted. At 21 or older the course is not required, but the SOS suggests a driving school for first-time adult drivers.

Common mistakes

• Doing most practice hours in daylight. At least 10 of your 50 hours must be at night.
• Forgetting to get the log signed. Bring the 50-hour log with the proper signature when you apply.
• Practicing only on quiet streets. Include rain, highways, busy intersections and parking so your hours build real skill.
• Choosing an uncertified online adult course. Only SOS-certified providers count.

Test yourself: Supervised practice and driver education in Illinois

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Illinois Driver’s Ed Requirements for Under 18s
• Illinois GDL Rules
• Illinois Instruction Permit at 15