Illinois driving lesson · Getting Licensed: Exams & Young Drivers
Full licensing and parental responsibility
A 3-minute lesson from the Illinois course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
At 18 you reach the Full Licensing Phase. Until then, a parent or guardian has real power over your license. They can cancel it at any time and can check your driving record for free.
Know the rule
In the Full Licensing Phase (ages 18-20), no age-related restrictions apply unless the driver failed to move up from the Initial Licensing Phase.
The ban on all wireless phone use, including hands-free, still applies to any driver under age 19, even in the Full Licensing Phase. Emergency calls are the only exception.
Driving privileges return only when that parent or guardian consents again or the driver turns 18, whichever comes first. The teen must reapply, take all required exams and pay the fees.
A parent or guardian of a driver under 18 with a permit or graduated license can view the teen's driving record free at ilsos.gov, using a PIN from the Secretary of State.
Instruction Permit Completion Check: permit holders under 21, and their parents, can enter the permit number on the Secretary of State's website to see whether driver education completion has been added to the record.
Your dad signed consent for your license at 16, then cancels it after you break house rules. You can't drive again until he consents again or you turn 18. Then you must reapply, retest and pay the fees.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
A parent gives written consent for their 16-year-old's license, then later withdraws it. What happens?
Nothing; consent cannot be withdrawn once given
The minor must wait exactly 90 days to reapply
The minor keeps the license until the next renewal
It's canceled until consent returns or age 18
Answer: It's canceled until consent returns or age 18
A parent may withdraw consent at any time before the driver turns 18, canceling the license.