Overview
Completing the online course is only one part of obtaining a driver's license. After you successfully complete the course and final exam, the completion information is transmitted to the Illinois Secretary of State. You must still satisfy the Secretary of State's identification, testing, and other licensing requirements.
Do I Need Adult Driver Education in Beardstown, Illinois?
If you are 18, 19, or 20, are applying for an Illinois driver's license for the first time, and have never completed an approved driver education course, Illinois requires you to complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The rule is based on your age, first-time licensing status, and previous driver education history. It is not a Beardstown-specific requirement. The important local difference is where you can complete the course and where you can handle the remaining in-person licensing requirements.
If you already completed qualifying driver education, have previously been licensed, or are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license, your requirements may be different. Check your individual circumstances with the Illinois Secretary of State before enrolling.
Illinois 6-Hour Adult Driver Education Course for Beardstown Residents
The Illinois Adult Driver Education Course must contain at least six hours of instruction. The Secretary of State allows certified providers to offer the course in a classroom or online, depending on the provider's certification. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The course addresses subjects such as:
Illinois traffic laws
Highway signs, signals, and pavement markings
Risk-taking and decision-making
Impaired driving
Driver distraction and cell phone use
Speed-related risks
Seat belt use
Nighttime driving
Right-of-way
Other traffic-safety issues associated with crashes
The course itself is classroom or online instruction. It does not replace behind-the-wheel driving practice or the Secretary of State's road test. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Needs the Illinois Adult Driver Education Course?
The six-hour requirement applies when all three conditions are true:
You are 18, 19, or 20 years old.
You are applying for an Illinois driver's license for the first time.
You have never completed an approved driver education course through a high school or commercial driving school.
If You Are 18
If you are 18 and meet all three conditions, you must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course before obtaining your Illinois driver's license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
If You Are 19
The same Adult Driver Education requirement applies at age 19 when you are a first-time applicant and have not previously completed qualifying driver education.
If You Are 20
The same six-hour requirement continues to apply at age 20 when you are a first-time applicant without qualifying previous driver education.
The requirement is therefore straightforward for most eligible applicants: 18, 19, and 20-year-old first-time applicants without previous approved driver education need the six-hour course.
Beardstown Illinois Adult Driver Education FAQ
How the IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com Online Course Works
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com is currently listed by the Illinois Secretary of State as an online Adult Driver Education provider. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
The provider currently advertises:
$47 course price
Six-hour online Adult Driver Education
Access from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone
Saved course progress
Audio narration
Videos and interactive learning features
Ten chapters of instruction
A final exam
30 days from registration to complete the course
Electronic transmission of completion information to the Illinois Secretary of State after successful completion (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
The provider's FAQ states that students must answer at least 75% of the final-exam questions correctly and are permitted one additional attempt if they do not pass the first attempt. The course also uses identity-verification questions during the program. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
The current provider information also states that completion information is normally transmitted to the Secretary of State within three business days, unless the student purchases the provider's optional same-day processing. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
For the current price and course terms, check the provider's registration page before enrolling because provider pricing and processing options can change.
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
The course includes
At least six hours of Adult Driver Education
Online instruction
Illinois traffic-safety information
Traffic laws and roadway rules
Signs, signals, and pavement markings
Impaired-driving and distraction topics
Speed, seat belt, nighttime-driving, and right-of-way information
Provider final examination
Electronic completion reporting to the Illinois Secretary of State
The course does not include
Behind-the-wheel driving lessons
In-car instruction
The Secretary of State written examination
The Secretary of State road examination
Issuance of your driver's license
Illinois specifically says the Adult Driver Education Course does not include behind-the-wheel training. The Secretary of State also encourages adult applicants to obtain at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before obtaining a license. That practice recommendation is separate from the six-hour course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What Happens After I Complete the 6-Hour Course?
For a Beardstown applicant, completing the online course does not finish the driver's license process.
A typical sequence is:
Confirm that you meet the 18-to-20 first-time-applicant requirement.
Complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course.
Pass the provider's final examination.
Allow the provider to transmit your completion information to the Secretary of State.
Follow the Secretary of State's instructions concerning your completion certificate or completion documentation.
Prepare the identification documents required for your first driver's license.
Check the current Beardstown Driver Services facility information before traveling.
Complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations.
Pay the applicable state licensing fees.
Complete any other requirements that apply to your individual application.
The provider's final exam is not the same as the Illinois Secretary of State written test. The Secretary of State still controls the final licensing process. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Where Can I Apply for My First Driver's License Near Beardstown?
Beardstown has an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility, which is particularly useful for local first-time applicants.
Beardstown Driver Services Facility
103 W. 15th StreetBeardstown, IL 62618
The current Secretary of State facility finder lists Beardstown for:
First-time driver's license issuance
First-time instruction permit issuance
Non-CDL written testing
Non-CDL road testing
Vision screening
Driver's license services
REAL ID services
Other listed Driver Services transactions (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
The current statewide facility list does not display an "Appointment Required for Driver Services" designation next to Beardstown. However, that should not be treated as a permanent guarantee. Check the official facility information for your specific service before traveling. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The Beardstown facility currently lists hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday closed. Holiday closures and hours can change. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
For road testing, the Secretary of State says tests are generally available until 60 minutes before closing, subject to customer volume. Road tests are not conducted after dark and may be postponed or canceled when road, weather, or vehicle conditions are unsafe. Applicants should bring their vehicle insurance card for a road test. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
Use the official Illinois Secretary of State Facility Finder before making the trip.
Preparing for Your First Illinois Driver's License in Beardstown
Before visiting Driver Services, make sure you have more than your Adult Driver Education completion information.
The Secretary of State requires first-time applicants to provide acceptable identification documents. Depending on your circumstances, documentation establishes information such as your name, date of birth, Social Security number, Illinois residency, and signature.
The exact documents depend on the applicant, so use the current Secretary of State identification requirements rather than relying on an older checklist.
You should also confirm:
Whether you need a vision screening
Whether you need the written test
Whether you need the road test
Whether your selected facility offers those services
Whether an appointment is required
What identification documents you need
What vehicle requirements apply if you are taking a road test
Driving in Beardstown as a New Driver
Beardstown is different from many small Illinois communities because several transportation systems converge around the city. The city identifies U.S. Highway 67 and Illinois Routes 100 and 125 as important routes, while also identifying the Illinois River, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and the high-level river bridge as important transportation assets. (Beardstown)
That means a new Beardstown driver should become comfortable with both local streets and larger regional routes.
Driving U.S. 67 and Illinois Route 100 Across the Illinois River
The Illinois River bridge west of Beardstown carries U.S. 67 and Illinois Route 100 across the river. IDOT's bridge database identifies the structure as a 3,657.5-foot bridge with recorded traffic of approximately 5,450 vehicles per day and an estimated truck share of 9%. (IDOT Apps)
For a new driver, this is more than simply another stretch of road. The bridge connects Cass County with the roadway network across the Illinois River and can put an inexperienced driver into a regional traffic environment.
When crossing the bridge:
Maintain your lane position.
Keep a reasonable following distance.
Avoid unnecessary lane changes.
Watch traffic around the approaches.
Adjust for wind, rain, snow, glare, or reduced visibility.
Do not become distracted by the river or surrounding scenery.
Follow temporary traffic-control devices when construction is present.
Beardstown's River Bridge Replacement Project
The bridge is also a significant current transportation project.
IDOT's project records identify a bridge replacement project on US 67/IL 100 over the Illinois River at Beardstown, with a listed completion date of October 31, 2026, plus 30 working days. IDOT's 2026 records also document tree and vegetation removal near the bridge approaches. (Web Apps Illinois)
Because construction schedules and traffic-control arrangements can change, this information should be treated as time-sensitive. A new driver traveling between Beardstown and communities west of the Illinois River should check current IDOT travel information before making a trip.
U.S. 67, Illinois 100 and Illinois 125 Around Beardstown
Beardstown's official municipal information identifies the city at the junction of U.S. Highway 67 and Illinois Routes 100 and 125. (Beardstown)
For a new driver, these routes create an important transition between city streets and regional highways. Pay attention when entering a higher-speed roadway from a local street, and give yourself enough time to identify lanes, signs, intersections, and turning opportunities.
Freight, Railroad and Industrial Traffic
Beardstown's official economic-development information emphasizes its combination of river access, highways, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad service. (Beardstown)
New drivers should therefore expect to share the roadway environment with commercial vehicles and should be prepared for traffic patterns associated with industrial and freight activity.
Do not follow large trucks too closely. Leave additional space when visibility is limited and be particularly attentive when a large vehicle is turning or changing lanes.
Current Beardstown Road Projects New Drivers Should Know About
The most significant current project identified in the research is the replacement of the US 67/IL 100 Illinois River bridge.
IDOT records also identify work near the bridge approaches, including a 2026 tree and vegetation removal contract. The bridge-replacement project has a listed completion date of October 31, 2026, plus 30 working days. (Web Apps Illinois)
Review note: Construction information is time-sensitive. Check IDOT's current project and travel information immediately before publishing or updating this section.
Beardstown Illinois Adult Driver Education FAQ
Do I need driver's ed if I am 18 and live in Beardstown?
If you are 18, are applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and have never completed an approved driver education course, you must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Do I need driver's ed if I am 19 in Beardstown?
Yes, if you are a first-time Illinois driver's license applicant and have never completed an approved driver education course. The six-hour requirement applies to eligible applicants ages 18 through 20. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Do I need driver's ed if I am 20 in Beardstown?
Yes, the same rule applies at age 20 when you are applying for your first Illinois driver's license and have not previously completed qualifying driver education.
Can I take Adult Driver Education online from Beardstown?
Yes. Illinois permits certified providers to offer Adult Driver Education online, and IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com is currently listed by the Secretary of State as an online provider. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
How much does IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com cost?
The provider currently advertises the six-hour online course at $47. Pricing is provider-controlled and should be checked before registration. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
Can I take the course on my phone?
Yes. IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com states that its course is mobile-compatible and can be accessed from a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer with internet access. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
How long do I have to finish the online course?
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com currently states that students have 30 days from registration to complete the course. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
Does the online course include driving lessons?
No. The Adult Driver Education Course is classroom or online instruction. It does not include behind-the-wheel instruction. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does passing the course give me my Illinois driver's license?
No. Course completion satisfies the Adult Driver Education requirement when that requirement applies. You must still complete the applicable Secretary of State licensing requirements and examinations. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Where can I take my written test near Beardstown?
The current Illinois Secretary of State Facility Finder lists the Beardstown facility for non-CDL written testing. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
Where can I take my road test near Beardstown?
The current Facility Finder lists the Beardstown Driver Services facility for non-CDL road testing. Road-test availability can depend on operating conditions, weather, daylight, and customer volume. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
Does Beardstown Driver Services require an appointment?
The current statewide facility list does not show Beardstown with an "Appointment Required for Driver Services" designation. However, applicants should check the current Facility Finder for their specific service before visiting. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What should I know about driving across the Illinois River near Beardstown?
U.S. 67 and Illinois Route 100 cross the Illinois River at Beardstown. The bridge is part of a major current IDOT replacement project, so new drivers should check current traffic-control and construction information before crossing. (IDOT Apps)
Do I need to complete driving practice before taking the road test?
Illinois encourages applicants to obtain at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. These practice hours are separate from the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Start Your Illinois Adult Driver Education Course From Beardstown
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant age 18, 19, or 20, you can complete the required Adult Driver Education Course online from Beardstown.
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com currently offers the approved online six-hour course for $47. Complete the course and provider final examination, allow your completion information to be processed, and then continue with the Illinois Secretary of State's licensing process.
The course does not issue your driver's license. You must separately satisfy all applicable Secretary of State requirements, including required documentation and examinations.
More Illinois Adult Driver Education Resources
- Recommended internal resources for Beardstown visitors include:
- Cass County Adult Driver Education for broader county-level licensing and transportation information
- Illinois Adult Driver Education Course for statewide course requirements
- Illinois Adult Driver Education Registration for enrollment
- Illinois Driver's License Guide for first-license requirements
- Illinois Secretary of State Facility Finder for current Driver Services information
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education FAQs
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education Provider Listing
- Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Facility Locations
- Illinois Secretary of State Beardstown Facility Finder
- Illinois Secretary of State Facility Finder
- IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com course information
- IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com FAQs
- City of Beardstown official website
- City of Beardstown Economic Development transportation information
- IDOT Beardstown Illinois River bridge information
- IDOT Beardstown bridge replacement contract information
- IDOT 2026 Beardstown bridge-area project record