Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
You must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course when all three of these conditions apply:
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.
The requirement applies throughout Illinois, including Assumption and other Christian County communities. Your location does not determine whether the course is required. Your age, first-time licensing status, and previous driver education determine whether the requirement applies. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Does Not Need This Course?
You generally do not need this specific six-hour course if:
You are under 18 and follow Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing process.
You are 21 or older and are not subject to another specific licensing requirement.
You have previously been licensed and are not applying for your first Illinois driver's license.
You completed an approved high school driver education program.
You completed an approved commercial driver education program.
You are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license to Illinois.
The Secretary of State specifically states that qualifying high school driver education can exempt an eligible applicant from the adult course when acceptable proof is provided. An applicant transferring an out-of-state license does not need the Adult Driver Education Course solely because of the transfer. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Illinois Online Course Rules
The Adult Driver Education Course must contain at least six hours of instruction. Illinois permits certified providers to offer the course through classroom instruction or online instruction. A course completed through a provider that is not certified by the Secretary of State will not be accepted. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The course covers traffic-safety subjects such as:
Illinois traffic laws
Highway signs, signals, and pavement markings
Risk-taking and poor decision-making
Impaired driving
Driver distraction and cell phone use
Speed-related risks
Safety-belt use
Nighttime driving
Right-of-way rules
The online course is classroom instruction delivered through a computer-based format. It is not behind-the-wheel training. A provider-administered written final test is also required for successful course completion. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
Includes
At least six hours of Adult Driver Education instruction
Online instruction through a certified online provider
Illinois traffic-safety education
Traffic laws, signs, signals, and pavement markings
Information about impaired and distracted driving
Information about speed, nighttime driving, safety belts, and right of way
A provider-administered final written test
A Certificate of Completion after successful completion
The current Secretary of State provider list identifies IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com as an Online Adult Driver Education provider. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)
Does Not Include
Behind-the-wheel lessons
In-car instruction
The Secretary of State written examination
The Secretary of State road examination
Automatic issuance of a driver's license
Automatic driving privileges
Illinois encourages applicants to obtain at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before obtaining a license. Those practice hours are not part of the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Assumption Licensing Process
For an eligible first-time applicant in Assumption:
Confirm that you are 18, 19, or 20 and meet the first-time applicant requirements.
Choose a Secretary of State-certified Adult Driver Education provider.
Confirm that the provider offers the course online.
Complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course.
Successfully complete the provider's final written test.
Receive and download your Certificate of Completion.
Print the certificate.
Prepare the identification documents required by the Secretary of State.
Visit an Illinois Driver Services facility.
Complete the applicable vision, written, and road testing requirements.
Complete the remaining licensing requirements before receiving your Illinois driver's license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Driving in Assumption
Assumption provides a smaller-city driving environment surrounded by rural Christian County roads. The city is connected with the regional highway system through U.S. Route 51, while surrounding roads serve agricultural areas and neighboring communities.
The City of Assumption describes the community as combining agriculture, industry, history, civic activity, and recreation. Its new-resident information also identifies Business 51 and the surrounding agricultural environment. (City of Assumption, Illinois)
New drivers should be prepared for:
Agricultural equipment on rural roads
Slow-moving vehicles
Highway traffic on US 51
Rural intersections
Railroad crossings
Nighttime driving
Winter weather
Heavy rain and reduced visibility
Traffic entering and leaving the city
Major Roads and Highways
U.S. Route 51
US 51 is the most important regional highway serving Assumption. IDOT records document US 51 improvements in the Assumption and Pana corridor. (IDOT)
Drivers should practice identifying changes in speed, traffic entering from side roads, turning movements, and the difference between highway travel and local city streets.
Local and Rural Roads
Roads around Assumption connect the city with farms, rural residences, and nearby communities. These roads can include slower traffic, agricultural equipment, limited shoulders, and intersections with reduced sight distance.
Primary Local Driving Topic: US 51 and Rural Agricultural Traffic
The most important local driving issue for a new Assumption driver is adjusting between highway traffic and rural agricultural traffic.
US 51 carries regional traffic, while surrounding roads serve agricultural areas. During planting and harvest periods, drivers may encounter tractors, combines, trailers, and other large equipment.
Good habits include:
Slow down early when approaching farm equipment.
Leave additional following distance.
Watch for equipment turning into fields.
Do not assume a slow-moving vehicle will turn immediately.
Never pass unless the maneuver is legal and clearly safe.
Check carefully for oncoming traffic.
Be especially cautious near intersections and driveways.
Additional Safety Topic: Winter and Reduced Visibility
Winter weather can make rural driving more difficult. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and reduced visibility can increase stopping distances.
New drivers should reduce speed when conditions deteriorate, increase following distance, clear snow and ice from the vehicle, and avoid sudden steering or braking.
Rain can also create reduced visibility and slippery pavement. Drivers should adjust speed to the actual road conditions rather than relying only on the posted speed limit.
Take the Course Online in Assumption
Eligible first-time applicants in Assumption can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course online through a certified online provider. The course is not limited to residents of Taylorville or another particular Christian County community. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Students can complete the online instruction from Assumption without traveling to a physical classroom for the required course.
After course completion, you must still visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility and complete the remaining licensing requirements.
About Assumption
Assumption is a city in Christian County. The city's official website describes its community around agriculture, industry, history, civic activities, and recreation. (City of Assumption, Illinois)
For new drivers, Assumption provides an opportunity to practice both local city driving and the transition to rural highway conditions.
The community's connection with US 51 makes awareness of highway traffic particularly important.
Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Facilities
Taylorville Driver Services Facility
1400 E. ParkTaylorville, IL 62568
The current statewide Secretary of State facility list identifies Taylorville as a Driver Services location. The current list does not mark it with the "Appointment Required for Driver Services" designation. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Because individual services can change, applicants should verify current first-time licensing, written-testing, vision, and road-testing availability before traveling.
Springfield Flagship Center
2701 S. Dirksen ParkwaySpringfield, IL 62723
The current statewide facility list identifies Springfield Flagship Center as an appointment-required Driver Services location. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Assumption?
If you are 18, 19, or 20, 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)
Can I take the course online in Assumption?
Yes. Illinois permits certified providers to offer the Adult Driver Education Course online. (Illinois Secretary of State)
How long is the course?
The course must contain at least six hours of instruction. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does the course include driving lessons?
No. The six-hour course is classroom or online instruction and does not include required behind-the-wheel training. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does the final course test replace the Secretary of State written test?
No. The provider's final test is part of course completion. The Secretary of State's applicable licensing examinations are separate. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What happens after I finish the course?
You receive your Certificate of Completion and must take it with your required identification documents to a Driver Services facility. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Can I get my license in Assumption?
The closest identified Driver Services facility for Christian County applicants is in Taylorville. Always verify current services before traveling. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Do I need 50 hours of practice?
Illinois encourages at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including 10 hours at night. These hours are not part of the six-hour adult course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What should I practice around Assumption?
Practice city streets, US 51, rural roads, agricultural traffic, intersections, nighttime driving, and winter-weather driving.
What if I completed high school driver's education?
You may not need the Adult Driver Education Course if you can provide acceptable proof of successful completion of an approved high school driver education program. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What if I am under 18?
You follow Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What if I am 21 or older?
The six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement applies specifically to eligible first-time applicants ages 18 through 20. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Is the certificate my driver's license?
No. The certificate only documents completion of the Adult Driver Education Course.
Start Your Assumption Adult Driver Education Course Online
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois license applicant age 18, 19, or 20, you can complete the required six-hour Adult Driver Education Course online through a certified provider.
Complete the course and provider final test, obtain your Certificate of Completion, and then complete the remaining Illinois Secretary of State licensing requirements.