Overview
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com currently advertises the six-hour online course for $47 and states that it can be completed from a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
Do I Need Adult Driver Education in Virginia, 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, you must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
This requirement comes from Illinois law and applies statewide. Living in Virginia does not change the course requirement.
What is different for Virginia residents is the local licensing logistics. Virginia does not appear on the current Secretary of State Driver Services facility list as a Driver Services location, so applicants generally need to travel to another city for the in-person licensing portion.
Illinois 6-Hour Adult Driver Education Course for Virginia Residents
The Adult Driver Education Course is at least six hours of classroom or online instruction. The Secretary of State permits certified providers to offer the course online. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The course addresses topics including:
Illinois traffic laws
Signs and pavement markings
Signals
Risk-taking
Impaired driving
Driver distraction
Cell phone and texting risks
Speed
Seat belt use
Nighttime driving
Right-of-way
The course is education, not behind-the-wheel instruction. It also does not replace the Secretary of State's written or road examinations. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Needs the Illinois Adult Driver Education Course?
The requirement applies when you:
Are 18, 19, or 20
Are applying for your first Illinois driver's license
Have never completed an approved driver education course
Age 18
An eligible first-time 18-year-old Virginia resident must complete the six-hour course before obtaining an Illinois driver's license.
Age 19
An eligible first-time applicant who is 19 must also complete the six-hour course if qualifying prior driver education was not completed.
Age 20
The same rule applies at age 20. The adult course requirement covers eligible first-time applicants through age 20. (Illinois Secretary of State)
If you completed approved driver education previously, have previously held a license, or are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license, your circumstances may be different.
Virginia Illinois Adult Driver Education FAQ
How the IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com Online Course Works
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com is currently listed on the Illinois Secretary of State's certified provider list as an Online Adult Driver Education provider. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
The provider currently advertises:
$47
Six-hour online Adult Driver Education
Smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop compatibility
Saved course progress
Audio narration
Videos and interactive features
Ten chapters
Final examination
30-day completion period
Electronic transmission of course completion information to the Secretary of State (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
The provider's FAQ states that the final exam requires a 75% passing score, with one additional attempt available if necessary. It also states that identity-validation questions are used during the course. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
The provider currently says completion information is normally transmitted to the Secretary of State within three business days, with optional same-day processing available. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
Because provider pricing and processing options can change, verify the current registration information before enrolling.
What Happens After I Complete the 6-Hour Course?
Completing Adult Driver Education does not give you a driver's license.
After completing the course and final exam, your completion information must be processed with the Illinois Secretary of State. You then need to complete the remaining requirements for your first license.
For a Virginia resident, that generally means:
Complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course.
Pass the provider's final exam.
Confirm that your course completion has been processed.
Follow the Secretary of State's instructions for your completion documentation.
Prepare your required identification documents.
Select a Driver Services facility that handles first-time license services.
Confirm written-test and road-test availability.
Complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations.
Pay applicable fees.
Complete any other Secretary of State requirements that apply to your application.
The provider's final exam and the Secretary of State written test are separate tests. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Where Can I Apply for My First Driver's License Near Virginia?
There is no Virginia Driver Services facility listed on the current Illinois Secretary of State statewide facility list. The most relevant in-county facility for Virginia residents is the Beardstown Driver Services facility. (Illinois Secretary of State)
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
REAL ID services
Other Driver Services transactions (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
The current facility information lists Beardstown hours as 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with weekends closed. Holiday closures can apply. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
The statewide facility list does not currently display an "Appointment Required for Driver Services" designation for Beardstown. Applicants should nevertheless check the current Facility Finder for their specific service before traveling. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The Beardstown facility also offers non-CDL road testing. The Secretary of State says road tests are generally available until 60 minutes before closing, subject to customer volume, and are not conducted after dark or when conditions are unsafe. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
Use the official Illinois Secretary of State Facility Finder to confirm the current service information.
Preparing for Your First Illinois Driver's License in Virginia
Because Virginia does not have a Driver Services facility, planning your licensing visit is particularly important.
Before leaving Virginia, confirm:
Your Adult Driver Education completion has been processed.
You have the required identification documents.
The facility you selected handles first-time driver's license issuance.
Written testing is available.
Road testing is available if you need it.
You understand the facility's current appointment requirements.
Your road-test vehicle meets the Secretary of State's requirements.
You have the vehicle insurance card if you are taking a road test.
The Secretary of State controls the final licensing requirements, so use its current documentation and facility information rather than relying on an older checklist.
Driving in Virginia as a New Driver
Virginia's transportation layout is distinctive because the city sits at the intersection of Illinois Route 78 and Illinois Route 125. The city itself describes Virginia as being located at that highway junction. (Virginia Illinois)
For a new driver, this means local driving can quickly transition into rural state-highway driving.
Illinois Route 78 Through Virginia
Illinois Route 78 is one of the two state routes meeting in Virginia. The route serves as a principal north-south connection through the city and surrounding rural area. The Cass County road network shows Route 78 connecting Virginia with communities and rural roads beyond the city.
When leaving the city on Route 78, a new driver should be prepared for the transition from lower-speed local streets to a state highway environment. Look well ahead for intersections, slower vehicles, turning vehicles, and changes in traffic speed.
Illinois Route 125 and the Beardstown Connection
Illinois Route 125 is the other major state route meeting in Virginia. The city identifies Routes 125 and 78 as its two important highway connections. (Virginia Illinois)
Route 125 also connects Virginia with Beardstown and the broader Cass County roadway system. IDOT project records identify a Route 125/Route 78 pavement rehabilitation corridor extending into Virginia. (IDOT)
For a new driver, this is an important route to understand because the trip between Virginia and Beardstown changes from city streets to a rural highway environment. Maintain a safe following distance and be prepared for agricultural vehicles and other slower-moving traffic outside the city.
Route 125 and Rural Agricultural Traffic
Virginia is surrounded by rural Cass County roads and agricultural land. That means a new driver should not treat Route 125 simply as an ordinary city street.
When traveling outside Virginia:
Watch for slow-moving farm equipment.
Expect agricultural vehicles to make wide turns.
Do not pass where visibility is limited.
Be particularly cautious near rural intersections and field entrances.
Increase following distance when road conditions deteriorate.
Allow extra time rather than making an unsafe pass.
These skills matter because the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course teaches traffic-safety principles, while actual roadway experience must be developed separately through supervised practice.
Downtown Virginia Streets and the Courthouse Area
Virginia's city center includes the Cass County courthouse area and a local street network around the square. The city's official website identifies City Hall at 153 S. Front Street, while municipal information places city services around the downtown area. (Virginia Illinois)
New drivers should be comfortable slowing down, identifying cross streets, watching for pedestrians, and understanding parking and intersection controls before moving from the downtown street network onto Routes 78 or 125.
Current Virginia Road Projects New Drivers Should Know About
IDOT's highway improvement records identify a pavement rehabilitation project involving Illinois Route 125 and Illinois Route 78 in Virginia. The listed project limits run from approximately 0.5 mile east of South Bluff Springs Road to locations around the Route 78/Route 125 intersection in Virginia. (IDOT)
The same IDOT program identifies work including:
Pavement overlay
Cold milling
Shoulder improvements
Milled rumble strips
Because project schedules and traffic-control arrangements can change, this information should be checked against current IDOT information before publication and before a trip.
Virginia Illinois Adult Driver Education FAQ
Do I need driver's ed if I am 18 and live in Virginia, Illinois?
If you are 18, are applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and have never completed approved driver education, 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 Virginia?
Yes, if you are a first-time Illinois driver's license applicant and have not completed qualifying driver education.
Do I need driver's ed if I am 20 in Virginia?
Yes, the Adult Driver Education requirement applies to eligible first-time applicants ages 18 through 20.
Can I take the six-hour course online from Virginia?
Yes. Illinois permits certified providers to offer Adult Driver Education online, and IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com is currently listed as an online provider. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
How much does IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com cost?
The provider currently advertises the course at $47. Check the registration page for the current price before enrolling. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
Can I take the course on a smartphone?
Yes. The provider states that its online course is compatible with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers with internet access. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
How long do I have to finish the course?
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com currently states that students have 30 days from registration to complete the course. (Illinois Adult Driver's Ed)
Is there a Driver Services facility in Virginia, Illinois?
The current Illinois Secretary of State statewide facility list does not list a Driver Services facility in Virginia. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Where should a Virginia resident go for first-time license services?
The Beardstown Driver Services facility at 103 W. 15th Street, Beardstown, Illinois 62618, is the primary in-county option. The Secretary of State currently lists first-time issuance, written testing, road testing, and vision screening there. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
Can I take my written test in Beardstown?
Yes. The current Beardstown Facility Finder listing includes non-CDL written testing. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
Can I take my road test in Beardstown?
Yes. The current Beardstown listing includes non-CDL road testing. Road testing can be affected by daylight, weather, road conditions, and customer volume. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
Does Beardstown require an appointment?
The current statewide facility list does not show an "Appointment Required for Driver Services" designation for Beardstown. Always check the current Facility Finder for the exact service you need before traveling. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does the Adult Driver Education Course include driving lessons?
No. The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course is classroom or online instruction and does not include behind-the-wheel training. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does completing the course give me my driver's license?
No. You must still satisfy the Illinois Secretary of State's licensing requirements and pass the applicable examinations. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What roads should a new Virginia driver understand?
Illinois Routes 78 and 125 are the two major state routes intersecting in Virginia. A new driver should become comfortable transitioning between the city street network and the rural highway environment surrounding Virginia. (Virginia Illinois)
Start Your Illinois Adult Driver Education Course From Virginia
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant age 18, 19, or 20, you can complete the required six-hour Adult Driver Education Course online from Virginia.
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com currently advertises the online course for $47. Complete the course and provider final examination, allow the completion information to be processed, and then prepare for your separate Illinois Secretary of State licensing visit.
Remember that completing Adult Driver Education does not itself issue a driver's license. You must separately satisfy the Secretary of State's documentation, testing, and other licensing requirements.
More Illinois Adult Driver Education Resources
- Recommended internal resources include:
- Cass County Adult Driver Education for broader county information
- Illinois Adult Driver Education Course for statewide requirements
- Illinois Adult Driver Education Registration for enrollment
- Illinois Driver's License Guide for first-time licensing
- Illinois Secretary of State Facility Finder for current testing and Driver Services information
- Beardstown Adult Driver Education for the nearby in-county Driver Services information
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education FAQs
- Illinois Secretary of State First-Time Drivers Age 18-20 information
- 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 Virginia official website
- City of Virginia government information
- Virginia visitor and highway information
- IDOT Cass County Highway Improvement Program