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Illinois driving lesson · Getting Licensed: Exams & Young Drivers

Instruction permits

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.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Getting Licensed: Exams & Young Drivers
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
19

Most Illinois teens learn to drive in high school or at a commercial driving school licensed by the Secretary of State. An instruction permit lets you practice legally, but only with the right supervisor next to you.

30 hours

Minimum classroom study in an approved driver education course

Handbook p. 19 ↗
6 hours

Behind-the-wheel training in an approved driver education course

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

At ages 15-17 you may get an instruction permit with proof from your driver education provider that you are enrolled in an approved course, or will start one within the next 30 days.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
24 months

How long an instruction permit is valid

Handbook p. 19 ↗
9 consecutive months

Minimum time a 15- to 17-year-old must hold the permit before getting a license

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

If you are age 17 and 3 months or older, you may apply for an instruction permit without taking a driver education course.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

To get a permit you must pass the vision and written exams for the license class you're seeking. The results stay valid until the permit expires.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

With a permit you may drive with:

  • An adult instructor during the behind-the-wheel part of driver education
  • A parent, legal guardian or responsible adult age 21+
  • That adult must hold a valid license and have at least one year of driving experience
  • The supervising adult must sit in the front passenger seat next to you
Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

After you finish driver education, you may keep practicing on your permit under the same direct adult supervision.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
50 hours

Supervised behind-the-wheel practice, including 10 at night, required for drivers under 18

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

The 50 hours are in addition to driver education training. A driving log to track them is available at ilsos.gov or in the Parent-Teen Driving Guide.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Put it into practice

Your 20-year-old cousin has had a license for three years and offers to supervise your practice. That doesn't work. Your supervisor must be at least 21, licensed, and have at least one year of driving experience.

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.

How long is an Illinois instruction permit valid?
  1. 6 months
  2. 12 months
  3. 24 months
  4. 36 months

Answer: 24 months

An instruction permit is valid for up to 24 months.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
A supervising adult riding with a permit holder must meet which requirement?
  1. Be at least 18 and hold any valid license
  2. Be a licensed driving instructor only
  3. 21+, licensed, 1 year of experience
  4. Be a parent or legal guardian only

Answer: 21+, licensed, 1 year of experience

The supervising adult must be 21+, licensed, and have a year of driving experience.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
A 15-17 year old must hold their instruction permit for at least six consecutive months before getting a driver's license.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

False. Illinois requires permit holders age 15-17 to hold the permit for at least nine consecutive months before obtaining a license.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
A 17-year-and-4-month-old wants an instruction permit. What is different about their path compared to a 15-year-old's?
  1. They need no adult supervision at all
  2. They may skip the written exam
  3. They must complete twice as many practice hours
  4. They can skip driver education

Answer: They can skip driver education

At 17 years 3 months or older, an applicant may skip the driver education requirement.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
An instruction permit lets you drive with a parent or responsible adult who is at least 21 and has one year of driving experience.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

That is exactly the supervising-adult requirement for an instruction permit.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
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