Illinois Adult Driver Education Course: Who Needs It at 18 to 20
Do I need the 6-hour adult driver education course in Illinois if I am 18?
Yes, if all three points are true: you are 18, 19 or 20, you are applying for an Illinois driver's license for the first time, and you never took driver education in high school or at a commercial driving school. You must finish a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course from a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State, then bring the certificate to an SOS facility.
Where the Illinois adult driver education rules come from
The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) explains the course on its Adult Driver Education page and in its Adult Driver Education FAQs. The law is 625 ILCS 5/6-107.5 (Illinois Vehicle Code). The phone rule comes from the SOS Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) page, the permit rules from the SOS instruction permit page and the permit and license fees from the SOS basic fees page. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Illinois Secretary of State (ilsos.gov) before you drive.
Who must take the Illinois adult driver education course
| Your situation | Do you need the course? | What to bring to the SOS |
|---|---|---|
| Age 18, 19 or 20, first license, no driver education in high school or at a commercial driving school | Yes | The Certificate of Completion, plus your identification documents |
| Age 18 to 20, you passed a high school driver education course in Illinois | No | A certified high school transcript that shows a passing grade |
| Age 18 to 20, you passed a high school driver education course in another state | No | The same proof: a certified transcript with a passing grade |
| You move to Illinois with a valid out-of-state license | No | Your out-of-state license (you surrender it), then you take the applicable tests |
What does the six-hour course cover?
The law sets the course at no less than six hours. It covers traffic laws; signs, signals and markings; issues linked to crashes, such as risk taking, impaired driving, distraction, texting and phone use, speed, not using a safety belt, driving at night and failing to yield; alcohol and drug awareness; and what to do when police stop you. The six hours are classroom or online time only, with no driving.
How to finish the course and get your license
- 1Check that you need the course
You need it when you are 18, 19 or 20, you apply for a license for the first time and you never took driver education in high school or at a commercial driving school. The free practice question on adult driver education at ages 18 to 20 tests this rule.
- 2Pick a certified provider
Only providers certified by the SOS may teach the course. Use the Certified Providers list on the SOS Adult Driver Education page. A course from a provider that is not listed is not accepted.
- 3Take the six hours and pass the end test
Choose a classroom or an online course. Both count the same. The provider gives a written test at the end, and you must pass it.
- 4Download your certificate
The SOS sends an email with a link to your Certificate of Completion. It goes to the email address you gave your provider. Print the certificate.
- 5Go to an SOS facility
Bring the printed certificate and all the required identification documents for a first-time applicant. Then complete the remaining requirements at the facility.
What you pay: provider fee, $5 state fee and license fee
Each certified provider sets its own course price. The law has the SOS post the certified providers and their fees on its website, so compare them there before you pay. On top of the provider fee, the provider collects a $5 fee from each student for the Secretary of State. At the SOS, an original Class D instruction permit costs $20, and the license costs $5 for ages 18 to 20. All amounts are in U.S. dollars, as of 2026.
Special cases: what if my situation is different?
What comes after the course: the SOS tests
At the SOS facility you still pass a vision screening, a written test and a road test (driving exam), like every new applicant. The Illinois road test guide explains what to expect on test day. At 18, remember the phone rule: drivers under 19 may not use a cell phone while driving, hands-free too, except in an emergency.
Do I need the certificate for an instruction permit?
No. You submit the Certificate of Completion only when you apply for the license. For a permit you pay the fee, pass the vision screening and pass the written exam, and you bring identification documents and an SOS application. An instruction permit for an applicant aged 18 or older is valid for one year. The guide to the Illinois instruction permit has the permit steps.
Key takeaways
- You need the six-hour course if you are 18, 19 or 20, apply for a license for the first time and never took driver education in high school or at a commercial driving school.
- A high school driver education course with a passing grade, from Illinois or another state, means you can skip the adult course. Bring a certified transcript.
- Only SOS-certified providers count. The course is online or in a classroom, with no driving. The provider sets the price, plus a $5 (U.S. dollars) fee for the Secretary of State.
- After the course, download the certificate from the SOS email, then pass the vision, written and road tests at an SOS facility.
- Next step: practice the rules of the road on the free Illinois Class D practice test.
Illinois adult driver education: common questions
Can I take the Illinois adult driver education course online?
Yes. A certified provider can teach the course online or in a classroom, depending on its certification. The SOS says it makes no difference which one you pick. The law lets the Secretary approve online courses when the provider checks who the student is and that the student finishes the whole course.
Does the course include driving lessons?
No. The six hours are classroom or online time, and the law says the curriculum does not require driving a vehicle. The SOS encourages at least 50 hours of practice driving, with 10 of them at night, before you get your license. You still pass the road test at an SOS facility.
What if my certificate never arrives?
After you pass, the SOS emails a download link for the Certificate of Completion to the address you gave your provider. If nothing comes, contact the provider. For other questions, the SOS lists the phone number 630-520-9310 in its adult driver education FAQs.
Does passing the course test replace the written test at the SOS?
No. The provider's test only shows that you finished the course. At the SOS facility you still take the vision screening, the written test and the road test, and as a first-time applicant you bring all the required identification documents.
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