Driving Ages: What Is The Youngest Age To Drive In Illinois?

When you become a teenager, you start to think more and more about getting your driver's license. Teens want to get behind the wheel of a vehicle as soon as possible. Because of that, you may be wondering what is the youngest age to drive in Illinois? The sooner the better, right? We give you the answer below!

Graduated Driver License Program

For the state of Illinois, they participate in the Graduate Driver License Program (GDL Program). Illinois splits the GDL Program into three phases: Permit Phase, Initial Licensing Phase, and Full Licensing Phase. Each phase brings different requirements and rules to follow.

The First Phase

For this first phase, the Permit Phase, you can get started with this phase when you turn 15 years old. You must get parent/legal guardian consent in order to obtain an instruction permit. You must also be enrolled in an approved driver education course and pass a vision and written test. Teens must hold the permit for a minimum of nine months and during that time they must practice driving a minimum of 50 hours, including 10 hours at night, supervised by a parent or adult age 21 or older with a valid driver’s license. During this time you do have nighttime driving restrictions, which are Sun.-Thurs. from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. and Fri.-Sat. from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (local curfews may differ).

Driving Age Requirements In Illinois

The instruction permit will allow you to drive a vehicle with the sole purpose of learning to drive. You must have your permit in order to drive with a parent or adult age 21 or older who has a valid driver’s license. With the GDL Program in place, that means the youngest age anyone can drive in Illinois would be 15 years old.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.