How to Get an Illinois Driver's License Over 18

Whether you’re new to driving or new to Illinois, getting your Illinois-state driver’s license is an essential first step to expanding both your personal and professional horizons in the Prairie State. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or even intimidated by the licensing process - you’re not alone. Illinois requires that every potential licensed driver meet certain specifications, standards, and testing requirements according to their age and driving experience. Drivers who are 18 and older at the time of their license application will need to complete a series of steps to receive their full Illinois license. This article will help you navigate the Illinois licensing process in a quick and easy manner - meaning you’ll get your license sooner and spend more time on the road!

Summary

If you’re over 18, you’ll need to complete the following steps to get your Illinois Driver’s License:

• If you are 18-20 years old and have never a) held a driving license AND b) have never taken a Driver’s Education Course, you must complete a 6 hour course in Adult Driver’s Education
• Apply for an Illinois Instruction Permit
• Pass the Knowledge Test
• Practice driving!
• Pass the Illinois Behind-the-Wheel Test

Do You Need an Illinois Permit as an Adult?

First time drivers 18 and over do not need an Illinois Permit in order to apply for their full license. This means that any new Illinois resident may apply for and schedule both their knowledge test and road test when they are ready. It is important to note any applicant who is 21 or older is not required to take any type of Driver’s Education before applying for their permit. First time drivers ages 18 to 20 who have never held a license AND have never taken a Driver’s Education will have to complete an approved driver education course totaling 6 hours of Adult Driver Education Course before being eligible to take their licensing tests. Coastline recommends that all new drivers 18 and over enroll in both a classroom and practical driver education course to ensure safety on the road.

How to Get a Driver’s Permit in Illinois

All drivers must apply in-person for an Instruction Permit. If the new driver over 18 chooses to bypass the Instruction Permit stage, they still must make their initial application in-person at a Secretary of State Driver Services Facility. No appointment is necessary, although it is recommended, and there is no paper or electronic application to complete prior to your arrival at the SoS DMV site. You must ensure, however, that you bring the proper documentation with you in preparation for your in-person permit application.

At the SoS DMV

Make an Appointment

While making an appointment for your license application is not mandatory, it is recommended. Please note that if you intend on taking your behind-the-wheel test at the time of your application, then you will need to make an appointment with the SoS DMV before arriving on site. To make an appointment, visit the Secretary of State website Appointments page to schedule your in-person visit to your local SoS DMV.

Bring Your Documents and Prepare for Testing

Be certain you gather all of the required documents you will need before you visit the SoS DMV. These will include:

• Document for Signature Verification
• These documents may include Illinois Identification Card, U.S. Passport, or Credit Card
• Proof of Date of Birth
• These documents may include Birth Certificate, Illinois Identification Card, or U.S. Passport
• Proof of Social Security Number
• Proof Illinois Residency (two documents)
• These documents may include bank statements, educational transcripts, or utility bills
• What’s the difference between a RealID and a Federal Non-Compliant ID? Read more here.
• Payment for any application fees. Note, the Illinois SoS DMV will accept cash, check, credit card, or traveler's check.

The Illinois SoS has published a guide to the identification requirements which you should consult before your visit to the SoS DMV site. You will also be required to have your photo taken and pass a vision exam and written exam (knowledge test) as part of your permit application.

Vision Screening

The SoS DMV uses a Snellen chart to test for visual acuity. Applicants will be asked to accurately read certain letters from a 20 foot distance. If you wear corrective lenses, please bring these to your exam and be certain to wear them for your vision exam. The examiner will note that you require corrective lenses to drive and this restriction will be added to your instruction permit.

How Many Questions are on the Illinois Permit Test?

You will be required to pass a knowledge test in order to be issued an Illinois Instruction Permit or to move on to the behind-the-wheel skills portion of the driving exam. The written test is based on information found in the Illinois Rules of the Road and will test your mastery of state driving laws and safe driving practices. 

There are 35 questions on the permit test; 15 questions pertain to traffic sign recognition while the remaining 20 will address general road rules and safe driving practices. You need to answer at least 28 correctly in order to pass your test.

The traffic sign recognition portion of the permit test will consist of matching exercises. The road rules and driving practices section of the Permit Test will consist of both multiple choice and true-false questions. Be certain to read through the questions carefully and consider your options before answering. You must score at least 80% on your Permit Test in order to pass and receive your Instruction Permit. If you fail the written test more than three times, you will be required to reapply for your permit. Note that applicants 18 and older are not required to wait in between attempts at the knowledge test, but may need to schedule each attempt through the SoS DMV website.

The Illinois Secretary of State and Department of Motor Vehicles website has a variety of resources available to help you study for your knowledge test. We suggest you read carefully through the Illinois Rules of the Road and take as many practice tests as possible in order to prepare for your in-person Permit Test. 

Getting Your Illinois Instruction Permit

After you have passed your Permit Test, you will be issued your Instruction Permit. Be certain you inspect your permit for any errors, including misspellings of your name, inaccurate birthdate, and correctional lens restrictions before leaving the SoS DMV site. Note, you may choose to schedule, or if the site allows, take your behind-the-wheel portion of your exams at this time. If you choose to bypass acquiring your permit, you will not be able to practice behind-the-wheel until you have passed your Driving Skills Test.

Can You Practice With a Permit in Illinois?

Instruction permits are generally valid 12 months from the date of issuance. Pay careful attention to the expiration date on your permit - you will need to take your driving test or renew your document before the listed expiration date. Note, there is no mandatory waiting period after the issuance of an instruction permit to any driver who is 18 and over. Permit holders may schedule their road test at any point after they have received their instruction permit, as long as that permit remains valid.

Your permit is not a license to drive alone. Regardless of the driver’s age, any Instruction Permit holder 18 and older must be accompanied by another driver 21 years of age or older holding a valid driving license. This accompanying driver must be seated in the front passenger seat whenever the permit holder is operating the motor vehicle. Permit holders are not allowed to drive alone, including any transport to or from the SoS DMV.

Illinois does not require permit holders 18 and over to complete any type of additional driver training after the permit has been acquired or minimum hours behind the wheel. This being said, it is a good idea to practice your driving with a trusted loved one or, even better, a qualified driving instructor before attempting your road test.

Taking the SoS DMV Road Test in Illinois

Before making your road test appointment, be certain you are familiar with the test itself! More information about the road test may be found in the Illinois Rules of the Road Workbook. 

Before you set off for the SoS DMV for the road test, be certain you have the following documents with you:

• Acceptable Identification Documents
• Vehicle registration and Illinois Liability Insurance Card
• Payment for the licensing fee
• License of an accompanying driver who is 21 or older
• An accompanying driver must be present in the passenger seat at all times prior to the road test. The SoS DMV Examiner will inform you when the accompanying driver may leave the vehicle.

Remember! You will be tested not only on your driving skills, but also your knowledge of your vehicle, including demonstration of the operation of dash controls such as your headlights, windshield wipers, emergency brake, hazard lights and defroster. You will also be required to demonstrate the arm signals for left, right, and stop.

Getting Your Full Illinois Driver’s License

Once you pass your road test, you will be issued a temporary license which will serve as your full driving license until your permanent license arrives in the mail. Drivers who are 18 years of age and older have no restriction on their driver's license aside from the ones indicated on their identification card. Remember to keep careful track of any renewal requirements and always follow the rules of the road. 

While the State of Illinois licensing process may be intimidating, following the guide above will help to ensure a smoother and more successful experience with the Illinois SoS DMV. We at Coastline wish you the best of luck with your new license, and hope you have many happy and safe hours on the road!