You can be 14 years of age or older to start the classroom portion of driver education (as long as you turn 15 before the end of class). You must be 16 years of age and have had your instruction permit for 9 months to be eligible for a driver's license.

Illinois Graduated Driver License Requirements

When applying for your driver's license in Illinois, you must be able to satisfy all the following requirements.

1. Be 16 years of age.
2. Complete a state-approved driver education course.
3. Accumulate 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience. (10 of the 50 hours must be at night)
4. A parent or adult sponsor must certify the completion of 50 hours of driving experience. (10 at night)
5. Your parent or adult sponsor must accompany you to the DMV to provide written consent to obtain a driver's license, OR complete and notarize an Affidavit/Consent for Minor to Drive form.
6. Hold an instructional permit for a minimum of 9 months.
7. Receive no moving traffic violations resulting in a conviction for the six months prior to the date of application for this license including, seat belt violations and juvenile alcohol.
8. Pass a driving skills test.
9. Pay the required fees.

Illinois Graduated Driver License Restrictions

If a student is under 18, for the first 12 months of holding the graduated driver license, the student may drive but with the following restrictions:

1. Sunday thru Thursday, a student may drive alone and travel anywhere between the hours of 6 AM and 10 PM*. In addition, the following people can be passengers:
• One person under the age of 20, unless the passenger(s) is a sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild of the driver. If the passenger meets one of these later criteria, the passengers are limited to one person in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
• After holding a graduated driver's license for 12 months, the number of passengers is limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
2. Friday & Saturday, a student may drive alone and travel anywhere between the hours of 6 AM and 11 PM*. In addition, the following people can be passengers:
• One person under the age of 20, unless the passenger(s) is a sibling, stepsibling, child or stepchild of the driver. If the passenger meets one of these later criteria, the passengers are limited to one person in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
• After holding a graduated driver's license for 12 months, the number of passengers is limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
3. Restrictions will be extended if the student does any of the following:
   • is convicted of a moving traffic violation.
   • violates any of the restrictions.
   • has license revoked or suspended for any reason.

   *Note: Local curfews may also apply.

If you have questions about the Illinois Graduated Driver License, check out the Illinois Secretary of State website or call 800-252-8980.