Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
You must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course when all three conditions apply:
You are 18, 19, or 20.
You are applying for your first Illinois driver's license.
You have never completed an approved driver education course through a high school or commercial driving school. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The course must come from a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Does Not Need This Course?
You generally do not need this particular course if:
You are under 18 and follow Illinois' teen licensing requirements.
You are 21 or older.
You have previously been licensed.
You completed qualifying driver education.
You are transferring a valid out-of-state license to Illinois.
Review the Secretary of State's current requirements if your licensing circumstances are unusual. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Illinois Online Adult Driver Education Rules
The course must contain at least six hours of instruction. Certified providers may offer the course online. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The curriculum covers traffic-safety subjects including:
Illinois traffic laws.
Signs, signals, and markings.
Driver decision-making.
Risk-taking.
Impaired driving.
Distracted driving.
Cell phone and text-message safety.
Speed.
Safety belts.
Nighttime driving.
Right-of-way.
Crash-related safety issues.
A provider final written test is also required. It is separate from the Secretary of State's written licensing examination. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The current Secretary of State provider directory lists IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com as an online Adult Driver Education provider. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
Includes
Six hours or more of instruction.
Online instruction through a certified provider.
Illinois traffic-safety education.
Signs and pavement markings.
Impaired-driving education.
Distracted-driving education.
Speed and safety-belt information.
Night-driving information.
Right-of-way information.
Provider final test.
Certificate of Completion.
Does Not Include
Behind-the-wheel lessons.
In-car driving instruction.
Secretary of State written examination.
Secretary of State road examination.
Automatic driver's license issuance.
Illinois encourages at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 nighttime hours. These practice hours are not part of the six-hour course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Savanna Licensing Process
For an eligible first-time applicant:
Confirm that you meet the age, first-license, and prior-driver-education requirements.
Select a certified Adult Driver Education provider.
Complete the six-hour course.
Pass the provider's final written test.
Obtain the Certificate of Completion.
Print the certificate.
Gather required identification documents.
Check the Secretary of State Facility Finder.
Visit a Driver Services facility.
Complete the applicable vision examination.
Complete the Secretary of State written examination.
Complete the applicable road examination.
Meet the remaining licensing requirements.
Passing the course final does not replace the Secretary of State's licensing tests. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Driving in Savanna, Illinois
Savanna has a different driving environment from many inland rural Illinois communities because it sits along the Mississippi River and near the bluffs of the Driftless Area. The city describes itself as a riverfront community with historic streets, outdoor recreation, scenic driving, and access to Mississippi Palisades State Park. (City of Savanna)
The Great River Road follows Illinois Route 84 through Carroll County, including Savanna and Thomson. (Great River Road Illinois)
That combination can create a mix of:
Local residential traffic.
Visitors unfamiliar with local streets.
Recreational traffic.
Pedestrians.
Bicyclists.
Scenic-route traffic.
Agricultural vehicles.
Highway traffic.
Railroad activity.
New drivers should remain focused even when driving on roads that appear quiet.
Major Roads and Highways
Illinois Route 84
Illinois Route 84 is one of the most important routes in western Carroll County. It follows the Mississippi River corridor and forms part of the Great River Road through Savanna and Thomson. (Great River Road Illinois)
Drivers should expect a mixture of local traffic, agricultural traffic, recreational travelers, and regional traffic.
Illinois Route 64 and U.S. Route 52
The Savanna area also connects with Illinois Route 64 and U.S. Route 52. IDOT project documentation identifies the U.S. 52 / IL 64 and IL 84 connection in Savanna. (IDOT Apps)
Drivers should pay attention to intersections and changing traffic patterns when moving between the state routes and local streets.
Local Streets and Riverfront Roads
Savanna's local streets serve residential areas, businesses, the riverfront, and recreational destinations. Visitors may be unfamiliar with the roadway layout, so local drivers should be prepared for sudden turns, slower traffic, pedestrians, and vehicles searching for destinations.
Primary Local Driving Topic: River, Scenic, and Recreational Traffic
Savanna's riverfront setting creates a local driving environment that can include visitors, recreational vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers unfamiliar with the area.
The city highlights the Mississippi River, Marquette Park, Mississippi Palisades State Park, the Great River Bike Trail, and scenic drives through the surrounding area. (City of Savanna)
New drivers should:
Watch carefully for pedestrians.
Give bicyclists adequate space.
Expect unfamiliar drivers to slow suddenly.
Avoid distracted driving while looking at scenery.
Follow posted speed limits.
Check intersections carefully.
Use extra caution near recreational destinations.
Leave additional following distance.
Be prepared for changing road conditions outside the city.
A scenic road still requires full attention from the driver.
Additional Safety Topic: Snow Emergencies
Savanna has designated snow-emergency routes. The city states that snow emergencies can be declared when accumulated snow requires city plowing and that parking restrictions apply on designated routes during a declared emergency. (City of Savanna)
For new drivers, winter driving requires more than simply slowing down.
Drivers should:
Reduce speed on snow and ice.
Increase following distance.
Brake smoothly.
Avoid sudden steering movements.
Clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof.
Watch for snowplows.
Follow temporary parking restrictions.
Check local notices during major snow events.
Winter weather can also make curves, bridges, intersections, and railroad crossings more difficult to navigate.
Additional Safety Topic: Railroad Activity
Savanna has a long history as a railroad and transportation center. The city documents extensive railroad development and the role rail transportation played in connecting Savanna with the Mississippi River and regional markets. (City of Savanna)
New drivers should always approach railroad crossings carefully.
Remember to:
Obey warning signals.
Stop when required.
Never drive around a lowered gate.
Keep intersections clear.
Avoid stopping on tracks.
Watch for traffic backed up beyond a crossing.
Remain especially attentive at night or during poor weather.
Take Adult Driver Education Online in Savanna
Eligible Savanna residents can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement online through a certified provider. The online format means the student does not need to travel to a classroom for the educational portion. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The student must still complete the in-person licensing process after finishing the course. The Certificate of Completion and required identification documents must be taken to an appropriate Driver Services facility. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Driver Services Near Savanna
The current Secretary of State facility list identifies:
Chadwick Driver Services236 Main StreetChadwick, IL 61014
Nearby alternatives include:
Dixon Driver Services925 S. PeoriaDixon, IL 61021
Sterling Driver Services1224 W. 4th StreetSterling, IL 61081
The Secretary of State's current facility list should be checked before traveling because services and testing availability can change. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Savanna?
If you are 18, 19, or 20, are applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and have never completed qualifying driver education, you must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Can I take Adult Driver Education online in Savanna?
Yes. Illinois permits certified providers to offer the course online. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Is Savanna a city?
Yes. The Illinois State Archives identifies Savanna as a city in Carroll County. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
Does the course include behind-the-wheel lessons?
No. The six-hour course consists of classroom or online instruction and does not include behind-the-wheel training. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does the provider final replace the Secretary of State written test?
No. You must complete the applicable Secretary of State testing when applying for your license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Do I have to take a road test?
Yes. Adult Driver Education does not replace the applicable behind-the-wheel road examination. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What happens after I pass the course?
You receive a Certificate of Completion. Print it and take it with your required identification documents to a Driver Services facility. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Where is the Carroll County Driver Services facility?
The Secretary of State currently lists Chadwick Driver Services at 236 Main Street in Chadwick. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What road is part of the Great River Road through Savanna?
Illinois Route 84 forms part of the Great River Road through Carroll County, including Savanna and Thomson. (Great River Road Illinois)
Does Savanna have special winter driving considerations?
Yes. The city maintains designated snow-emergency routes and publishes instructions for parking and snow-removal operations during declared emergencies. (City of Savanna)
How much supervised driving practice is recommended?
Illinois encourages at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 hours at night. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does living near the Mississippi River change the Adult Driver Education requirement?
No. The same statewide eligibility rules apply to eligible first-time applicants regardless of whether they live near the river or elsewhere in Illinois.
Do I need the course if I completed high school driver education?
Qualifying high school driver education can satisfy the requirement when acceptable proof of successful completion is provided. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does someone age 21 or older need this six-hour course?
The mandatory Adult Driver Education requirement applies to eligible first-time applicants ages 18, 19, and 20. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Can I complete the course without attending a classroom?
Yes. Illinois permits certified online providers to deliver the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course online. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Complete Adult Driver Education Online in Savanna
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant age 18, 19, or 20 in Savanna, complete the required six-hour Adult Driver Education Course online through a certified provider.
After successfully completing the course and provider final test, obtain your Certificate of Completion and complete the remaining Secretary of State licensing requirements.