Illinois Driver's License Information
- The Secretary of State allows persons age 15 or older to seek legal authority to drive in Illinois. Persons under age 18 must enroll in a state-approved driver education course before seeking an instruction permit. Instruction permits cost $20 as of 2010 and must be held for at least nine months before the holder can apply for a driver's license. Teens on instruction permits must complete at least 50 hours of practice driving with a licensed driver age 21 or older, and have turned age 16 in order to apply for a driver's license.
- All license applicants must provide proof of age and Illinois residency, along with Social Security number and sample signature. Applicants aged 16 or 17 need parental permission to apply for a license and must prove they complied with the instructional requirements for teens. Applicants with medical conditions affecting their driving ability need a doctor's statement verifying they can safely operate a motor vehicle. All license applicants must pass a vision test and written test on Illinois rules of the road, and pay the $30 license fee. New drivers, whether teen or adult, must pass a state-approved road test, either as part of driver training or at the time they apply for their license.
- Illinois issues a restricted license to drivers aged 16 or 17. They must be off the road between 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on weekends) and 6 a.m. and are limited to having one passenger for the first 12 months. They also must maintain a conviction-free driving record in order to move to an unrestricted license at age 18. Traffic convictions may extend the restrictions past age 18.
- Licensed drivers who move to Illinois from another state have 90 days to get an Illinois license. They must pass a vision test and the Illinois written driver's test. They may also have to take a road test. They must surrender their out-of-state license when they get their Illinois license.
- The Illinois basic driver's license authorizes operation of autos, vans and pickup trucks. The Secretary of State requires persons wanting to drive "special vehicles"--motorcycles, heavy trucks, buses, shuttles, commercial vehicles or vehicles for hire--to obtain a separate license and meet the licensing requirements for the type of special vehicle they will be operating.
- Drivers face suspension of their license if they accumulate three traffic violations within 12 months, or are convicted of reckless or drunk driving. The length of the suspension depends on seriousness of the violations. Suspended violators may have to complete a driver improvement course as a condition of reinstatement. Illinois also suspends driver's licenses of people who fail to make court-ordered child support payments. A person with a suspended license can petition for a restricted permit that only allows driving to work, school or medical care.