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.
Losing your license doesn't always mean you can't drive at all. Illinois offers several special permits. Each has strict eligibility rules and limits on when and why you may drive.
Restricted Driving Permit (RDP)
Allows driving only at certain times and on set routes: for work or school, taking a child in the home to day care or school, or getting medical care or drug treatment.
Lets a professional driver suspended for three moving violations drive as part of their job. You must drive for a living. Not available to commercial drivers.
Gives a driver 21 or older who was suspended for three moving violations in 12 months full privileges during the suspension, together with a driver improvement course.
Family Financial Responsibility Driving Permit (FRP)
Lets a driver suspended for nonpaying child support or child visitation abuse drive. Issued only after a circuit judge's order or at the direction of the Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services.
A 20-year-old office worker is suspended for three moving violations in 12 months. A Probationary License isn't an option because it requires age 21, but they may apply for an RDP limited to set times and routes to work.
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.
What is a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) generally used for?
Limited driving for work, school or medical care
Commercial driving only
Driving only on weekends
Unlimited driving during a suspension
Answer: Limited driving for work, school or medical care
An RDP allows limited driving for specific approved purposes.