Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
You must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education course if:
You are 18, 19, or 20.
You are applying for an Illinois driver's license for the first time.
You have never completed an approved driver education course.
Illinois requires the course for applicants who meet all three conditions. It must be completed through a provider certified by the Secretary of State.
Who Does Not Need This Course?
The six-hour adult course is not the standard requirement for every Illinois driver.
You generally do not need this particular course if:
You are under 18 and are following the teen GDL program.
You are 21 or older and are not otherwise subject to a specific requirement.
You previously held a driver's license.
You previously completed qualifying driver education.
You can provide acceptable proof of qualifying driver education completed elsewhere.
The specific requirement is aimed at eligible first-time applicants ages 18 through 20.
Illinois Online Adult Driver Education Rules
The Adult Driver Education course must contain at least six hours of instruction. Illinois allows certified providers to offer the course online or in a classroom.
Topics include:
Illinois traffic laws
Signs, signals and pavement markings
Crash-risk factors
Poor decision-making
Risk taking
Impaired driving
Distracted driving
Cell phone and texting risks
Speeding
Safety-belt use
Nighttime driving
Right-of-way
Students must also successfully complete the provider's written final test. The provider's test is separate from the Secretary of State's licensing examination.
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
The course includes
Six hours or more of Adult Driver Education instruction.
Online instruction through an appropriately certified provider.
Illinois traffic safety information.
Rules of the road.
Signs, signals and markings.
Information about impaired and distracted driving.
A provider-administered final test.
Completion documentation.
The course does not include
Behind-the-wheel lessons.
Instructor-led road practice.
The Secretary of State written test.
The Secretary of State road test.
Automatic issuance of a driver's license.
Illinois recommends at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. This recommendation is separate from the six-hour course.
Marshall Adult Driver Licensing Process
Confirm that you meet the Adult Driver Education eligibility requirements.
Select a Secretary of State-certified provider.
Complete the six-hour online course.
Pass the provider's final test.
Obtain your completion certificate.
Prepare your required identification documents.
Select an appropriate Driver Services facility.
Complete the required vision, written and road examinations.
Complete the remaining licensing requirements and applicable fees.
Completing Adult Driver Education is one step in the licensing process. It does not itself issue an Illinois driver's license.
Driving in Marshall, Illinois
Marshall is the county seat of Clark County and the largest municipality in the county. The city is located just off Interstate 70 at the intersection of Illinois Route 1 and U.S. Route 40.
These routes create an important transition between city driving and regional highway travel.
Marshall's transportation environment also includes truck routes. The city's planning information identifies I-70 as a Class I truck route and U.S. 40 and Illinois Route 1 as Class II truck routes.
A new driver should therefore expect:
Passenger vehicles on local streets
Commercial trucks
Highway traffic
Rural agricultural vehicles
Railroad crossings
Traffic around the downtown area
Changing conditions near highway interchanges
Major Roads and Highways in Marshall
Interstate 70
I-70 is the major interstate route serving the Marshall area. It provides regional east-west travel and connects Clark County with destinations in Illinois and Indiana.
IDOT has documented highway and bridge work along I-70 in Clark County, including locations near Marshall and Martinsville.
U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 passes through Marshall and follows the historic National Road corridor. The route remains an important east-west transportation connection.
Illinois Route 1
Illinois Route 1 is an important north-south highway through Marshall. The route intersects U.S. 40 in the city and connects Marshall with surrounding communities.
Primary Local Driving Topic: Highway and Truck Traffic
Marshall's location near I-70 and at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Illinois Route 1 makes highway awareness especially important for beginning drivers.
Drivers should:
Watch for large trucks entering or leaving the roadway.
Avoid lingering beside a truck in a blind spot.
Allow extra stopping distance.
Check mirrors before changing lanes.
Signal early.
Maintain a safe following distance.
Look ahead for traffic slowing near interchanges.
Avoid sudden lane changes.
A vehicle that appears far away on an interstate can approach quickly. New drivers should judge speed carefully rather than relying only on distance.
Additional Safety Topic: Railroad Crossings
Marshall has an active railroad environment. City planning documents identify an east-west CSX line through Marshall, while Illinois Commerce Commission records document railroad crossing and grade-separation matters involving the city.
Drivers should slow down near railroad crossings, obey warning devices and never drive around lowered gates.
Never stop on railroad tracks. Before entering a crossing, make sure there is enough room on the other side for your entire vehicle.
Take Adult Driver Education Online in Marshall
Eligible first-time applicants in Marshall can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education course online through a Secretary of State-certified provider.
Online education can eliminate the need to attend a physical classroom for this six-hour course, but it does not eliminate the in-person licensing requirements.
Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Facilities Near Marshall
Clark County does not currently have a Driver Services facility listed in Marshall in the Secretary of State's statewide facility directory.
Nearby listed facilities include:
Paris Driver Services Facility
714 GrandviewParis, IL 61944
Robinson Driver Services Facility
300 W. MainRobinson, IL 62454
The statewide directory currently lists both facilities. Applicants should use the official DMV Facility Finder to verify current services, testing availability, hours and appointment requirements before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Marshall?
If you are 18, 19, or 20, are applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and have never completed approved driver education, you must complete the six-hour course.
Can I take the course online in Marshall?
Yes. Illinois permits online Adult Driver Education through properly certified providers.
How long is the course?
The course is at least six hours long.
Does the course include behind-the-wheel training?
No. The six-hour course is classroom or online instruction only.
Does Illinois recommend driving practice?
Yes. Illinois encourages 50 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 hours at night.
Is there a final test?
Yes. The provider administers a written test at the end of the course.
Does the provider test replace the Secretary of State test?
No. The Secretary of State's applicable written and road examinations are still required.
What is the most important highway near Marshall?
Interstate 70 is the primary interstate serving the area. U.S. Route 40 and Illinois Route 1 are also major local and regional routes.
Is truck traffic common around Marshall?
Truck traffic is an important consideration because I-70, U.S. 40 and Illinois Route 1 are identified as truck routes in city planning documentation.
Are there railroad crossings in Marshall?
Yes. Railroad infrastructure runs through the community, including CSX facilities and crossings.
Where can Marshall residents complete Driver Services?
The current statewide directory lists Paris and Robinson as nearby Driver Services facilities. Confirm the service you need before traveling.
Do I need an appointment?
Appointment requirements depend on the facility and service. Check the official DMV Facility Finder before visiting.
Does living in Marshall change the course requirement?
No. The requirement is based on age, first-time licensing status and prior driver education.
Can applicants under 18 use this course?
No. Applicants under 18 follow Illinois' separate Graduated Driver Licensing program.
Can someone age 21 or older take this course?
The six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement is specifically directed at eligible first-time applicants ages 18, 19 and 20.
Start Your Marshall Adult Driver Education Course Online
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant ages 18 to 20 in Marshall, you can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education course online through a certified provider.
Complete the course, pass the provider's final test, obtain your completion certificate, and continue the licensing process through the Illinois Secretary of State.