How to get an Illinois Driver's License
Find out how to get a new IL driver's license, replace your out-of-state license and requirements for international drivers with this Illinois DMV guide.
The Rules
Under IL DMV guidelines, you must be at least 16 years of age to apply for an Illinois Drivers License.
All applicants need to be familiar with the Illinois Driver's Manual. Think you know the material? Take our DMV practice test now and test your driving knowledge.
First Time Drivers
If this is your first driver's, you will need to apply for an Illinois learners permit which requires a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques.
Once you receive a valid learners permit, you will then need to pass a road skills test in addition to vision and hearing tests to receive an IL drivers license.
The GDL law currently requires 50 hours of practice driving, including 10 hours of night driving, supervised by a parent, guardian or adult age 21 or older. In Illinois, enrollment in driver education is required for permit applicants age 15; without driver education, a permit applicant must be age 17, 3 months. License applicants 18 and older are not required to have driver education or to go through an intermediate license stage.
A new driver who receives his/her instruction permit prior to January 1, 2008, will fall under current guidelines and be required to hold the permit for three months before obtaining a driver's license. A driver receiving his/her permit on January 1, 2008, or later must hold the permit for a minimum of nine months before a driver's license may be obtained.
New IL Residents
New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Illinois driver's license within 90 days of establishing a permanent residence in IL. When heading to the DMV, be sure to bring the license from your former state as you will be required to surrender it in order to obtain the new license.
There is no road skills testing required to change a valid out-of-state license to an IL driver's license, however you will need to pass a written exam and the vision test.
If your out-of-state driver's license has expired, you may be required to pass the road skills test as well.
International Drivers
Illinois does not recognize the international driver's license. To obtain an Illinois driver's license, you must successfully complete a vision screening, written examination and possibly a driving examination.
Paperwork
Before you head to the Illinois DMV Office, make sure you have all of the following required documents to get your driver's license:
On the Road
Once your licensing requirements have been met, your Class D Driver's License will be valid for 4 years. Remember... the safe operation of a vehicle requires practiced skill, knowledge, and a respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the other drivers and the environment.
Driver's License Resources
Illinois Driver's Manual |
