Cook County Adult Driver Education

Online Adult Driver Education in Cook County, Illinois

If you are 18, 19, or 20 and applying for an Illinois driver’s license for the first time, you may need to complete the Illinois Secretary of State-certified six-hour Adult Driver Education Course before applying for your license. The course can be completed online when taken through a certified online provider. (Illinois Secretary of State)

For eligible applicants throughout Cook County, online Adult Driver Education can be completed from communities such as Chicago, Cicero, Berwyn, Evanston, Des Plaines, and Oak Forest. After successfully completing the course and its provider-administered final test, you receive a completion certificate. You should download and print the certificate, then bring it and your required identification documents to an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility. You will still need to complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations required by the Secretary of State. (Illinois Secretary of State)

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Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?

Illinois uses a three-part eligibility test. You generally must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course ifall threeof these statements apply:

You are18, 19, or 20 years old.

You are applying for anIllinois driver’s license for the first time.

You havenever completed an approved driver education coursethrough a high school or commercial driving school.

The Illinois Secretary of State states that applicants meeting all three conditions must successfully complete the six-hour course before applying for an Illinois driver’s license. (Illinois Secretary of State)

The requirement applies to the qualifying applicant, not simply to everyone in this age range. If you previously completed an approved driver education program and can provide acceptable proof, the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course may not be required.

Who Does Not Need This Course?

The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course is not required in every licensing situation.

You generally do not need this particular course if:

You areunder 18and are following Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing process.

You are21 or older, because most applicants in this age group are not subject to the 18-to-20 Adult Driver Education requirement.

You previously held a driver’s license and are not applying for an Illinois license for the first time under the qualifying circumstances.

You successfully completed an approved driver education course through a high school or commercial driving school and can provide acceptable proof.

You have a valid out-of-state driver's license and are moving to Illinois. The Secretary of State states that an applicant transferring a valid out-of-state license does not need to complete the Adult Driver Education Course solely because of the move. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Applicants under 18 follow the Illinois Graduated Driver Licensing system, which has its own education, permit, supervised-driving, and licensing requirements. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Illinois Online Course Rules

The Illinois Adult Driver Education Course must be provided by a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State. The Secretary of State specifically maintains an online-only certification program for providers offering the six-hour requirement online. (Illinois Secretary of State)

The course must contain at leastsix hours of classroom or online instruction. Illinois Secretary of State guidance identifies topics such as:

Current Illinois traffic laws

Highway signs, signals, and pavement markings

Risk taking and poor decision-making

Impaired driving

Driver distraction, including cell phone and text-message use

Speed

Safety-belt use

Night driving

Failure to yield the right-of-way

The course also includes a provider-administered written test that must be successfully completed. That test is part of the Adult Driver Education Course. It is separate from the written examination administered by the Secretary of State when you apply for your license. (Illinois Secretary of State)

After successful completion, the student receives a Certificate of Completion. The Secretary of State then requires the applicant to bring the certificate and the other required identification documents when applying for the Illinois driver’s license. (Illinois Secretary of State)

What the Course Includes and Does Not Include

The course includes

At least six hours of classroom or online Adult Driver Education instruction.

Illinois traffic safety and driver responsibility topics.

Information about traffic laws, signs, signals, markings, and common crash-related risks.

A provider-administered final written test.

A Certificate of Completion after successful completion.

Online instruction when the selected provider is certified to offer the course online. (Illinois Secretary of State)

The course does not include

Behind-the-wheel driving lessons.

Behind-the-wheel training as part of the six-hour course.

The Secretary of State written examination.

The Secretary of State road examination.

Automatic issuance of an Illinois driver’s license.

Automatic driving privileges.

Illinois encourages applicants to obtain substantial supervised practice before licensing, but that practice is separate from the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. The Secretary of State says applicants are encouraged to completeat least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. This is an encouragement for practice, not a required component of the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Cook County Licensing Process

For an eligible 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old first-time applicant, the general process is:

Confirm that you meet the Adult Driver Education eligibility requirements.You must be 18, 19, or 20, be applying for an Illinois driver’s license for the first time, and have no prior qualifying driver education course.

Choose an Illinois Secretary of State-certified provider.A course from an uncertified provider will not satisfy the requirement. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course onlineif you choose a certified provider offering online instruction.

Successfully complete the provider's final written test.This confirms successful completion of the course itself.

Obtain your Certificate of Completion.Download and print the certificate for your licensing visit.

Prepare your identification documents.The Secretary of State's identification-document list includes documents used to establish items such as signature, date of birth, Social Security number, and Illinois residency. Requirements vary by applicant and credential type. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Use the official Secretary of State facility information to choose a Driver Services location.Confirm the current location, services, appointment requirements, and testing availability before traveling.

Visit the Driver Services facility.Bring your Certificate of Completion and required identification documents.

Complete the applicable Secretary of State examinations.This may include vision, written, and behind-the-wheel road testing.

Complete the remaining licensing requirements.Passing the course and receiving the certificate does not by itself issue a driver’s license or grant driving privileges. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Driving in Cook County

Driving in Cook County can be very different depending on where you are. Chicago and the inner suburbs have dense street networks, traffic signals, pedestrians, cyclists, transit activity, parking activity, and frequent lane changes. Farther into the suburbs, drivers encounter wider arterial roads, expressway interchanges, commercial corridors, residential streets, and a mixture of local and regional traffic.

Cook County is also crossed by a large network of major highways. IDOT's county highway map shows the extensive interstate, U.S. route, state-route, county-road, municipal-road, railroad, and waterway network serving the county. (IDOT)

Weather is another consideration. Winter can bring snow, ice, reduced visibility, and slippery pavement, while heavy rain can create localized roadway flooding. Cook County transportation documents have identified flooding concerns at several roadway locations, including areas involving Plainfield Road, Willow Road, 108th Avenue, Harlem Avenue, North Avenue, and other corridors. (Cook County)

New drivers should also expect railroad crossings and significant pedestrian and bicycle activity. In dense communities, intersections can involve pedestrians, cyclists, buses, parked vehicles, turning traffic, and multiple lanes of moving traffic at the same time.

Major Roads and Highways

Cook County contains one of the most extensive highway networks in Illinois. IDOT's official Cook County highway map provides the underlying route information. (IDOT)

Interstate 90

I-90 carries major regional and long-distance traffic across the Chicago area. Within Cook County, it connects with the region's extensive expressway system and requires drivers to manage high-speed merging, lane changes, and interchange traffic.

Interstate 94

I-94 serves several major Chicago-area corridors, including the Edens, Kennedy, Dan Ryan, and Bishop Ford portions of the regional expressway system. It is important for both local commuting and regional travel.

Interstate 290

I-290, the Eisenhower Expressway, serves the western side of the Chicago region and connects Chicago with communities including Oak Park and other western suburbs. Oak Park's transportation planning documents identify the Eisenhower corridor as an important regional mobility route. (Oak Park)

Interstate 55

I-55, the Stevenson Expressway, serves south and southwest Cook County and provides a major connection between Chicago, the southwest suburbs, and the broader Illinois highway network.

Interstate 57

I-57 serves the southern portion of Cook County and provides a major north-south connection between Chicago and southern Illinois.

Interstate 80

I-80 crosses the southern portion of Cook County and is an important east-west freight and regional travel corridor.

Interstate 294

I-294, the Tri-State Tollway, forms a major north-south regional route through the western suburbs of Cook County and connects with numerous other expressways.

Interstate 355

I-355 serves the western suburban portion of Cook County and connects with the broader metropolitan expressway network.

U.S. Routes and Illinois Routes

Cook County is also served by important U.S. and Illinois routes, including U.S. 12, U.S. 14, U.S. 20, U.S. 30, U.S. 41, and U.S. 45, as well as Illinois Routes such as IL 1, IL 7, IL 19, IL 21, IL 38, IL 43, IL 50, IL 53, IL 56, IL 58, IL 59, IL 62, IL 64, IL 68, IL 72, IL 83, IL 171, and IL 394. These routes serve different combinations of urban streets, suburban arterials, commercial corridors, and connections to the expressway network. (IDOT)

Primary Local Driving Topic: Expressway Merging and Lane Changes

For a new driver in Cook County,expressway merging and lane managementis an especially important skill.

The county's dense highway network means a driver can move quickly from a local street onto a major expressway and then encounter another interchange only a short distance later. A driver may need to enter an acceleration lane, identify an appropriate gap, merge with faster-moving traffic, and prepare for a lane change toward an upcoming exit.

New drivers should:

Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

Match the general speed of traffic when safely entering an expressway.

Use turn signals before changing lanes.

Avoid stopping at the end of an acceleration lane unless traffic conditions make it unavoidable.

Look well ahead for exit signs and lane assignments.

Avoid making sudden last-second moves toward an exit.

Leave additional following distance when traffic is congested.

Expect traffic speeds to change rapidly around interchanges.

Stay alert for vehicles entering from adjacent ramps.

A new driver should also avoid assuming that a familiar local route will have the same traffic conditions every day. Cook County's major expressways carry substantial commuter, commercial, and regional traffic.

Additional Driving or Safety Topic: Winter Weather and Urban Flooding

Cook County drivers can encounter snow, ice, freezing conditions, heavy rain, and localized flooding. County transportation planning documents have identified specific roadway flooding concerns, demonstrating why new drivers should take changing pavement conditions seriously. (Cook County)

When weather deteriorates, reduce speed appropriately, increase following distance, avoid abrupt steering or braking, and allow additional time for travel. During heavy rain, be particularly cautious around low-lying roadway sections and standing water.

Never drive through water when you cannot determine its depth or whether the road underneath remains safe. If a roadway is flooded or closed, use an alternate route rather than attempting to cross it.

Take the Course Online Throughout Cook County

Eligible residents throughout Cook County can complete the classroom portion of the Adult Driver Education requirement online when they select a provider certified for online Adult Driver Education.

That makes the course accessible to eligible applicants living in Chicago and communities throughout the suburban portions of Cook County. The online format does not eliminate the in-person licensing requirements, however.

After completing the course and receiving the Certificate of Completion, you must still visit an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility with the certificate and required identification documents. You must also complete the applicable Secretary of State testing and licensing requirements. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Important County Communities

Chicago

Chicago is the county's largest urban driving environment, with dense streets, expressways, transit routes, pedestrians, cyclists, and frequent lane changes. Major expressways including I-90, I-94, I-290, I-55, and I-57 connect the city with other portions of Cook County and the region. New drivers should be comfortable checking multiple traffic directions and anticipating pedestrians and cyclists at intersections.

Cicero

Cicero is the only incorporated town in Cook County. Its location immediately west of Chicago places it close to I-290 and I-55, with a dense arterial street network. Cicero's official planning context identifies its proximity to both interstates as an important part of its transportation setting. (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning)

Berwyn

Berwyn sits directly west of Chicago and has a dense street grid with strong connections to the surrounding western suburbs. Drivers may transition quickly between neighborhood streets and major corridors serving regional traffic.

Evanston

Evanston occupies the northern lakeside portion of Cook County and combines urban streets with major north-south corridors. Drivers should expect pedestrian activity, bicycles, transit, and traffic associated with the city's connection to Chicago and neighboring communities.

Des Plaines

Des Plaines is an important northwest suburban transportation center. Its road system includes corridors connecting to the Des Plaines River area, railroad infrastructure, and regional routes. The city also has significant bicycle and shared-road facilities on corridors including Algonquin Road and other local streets. (City of Des Plaines)

The Illinois Secretary of State opened a new Des Plaines DMV facility at1533 Lee St.in April 2026. The new location is appointment-only and offers driver licensing and driving tests among its services. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Oak Forest

Oak Forest is in southern Cook County and provides connections to the broader south suburban road network. Drivers in this area may transition between residential streets, commercial corridors, and regional routes serving communities farther south.

Illinois Secretary of State Facilities

Cook County has numerous Secretary of State Driver Services options. Because locations and service policies can change, applicants should use the official facility list and DMV Finder immediately before visiting.

The current statewide facility list identifies the following Cook County locations asappointment required for Driver Services:

Bridgeview

7358 W. 87th Street, Bridgeview, IL 60455

The official facility listing identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Chicago North

5401 N. Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630

The official statewide facility list identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Chicago South

9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago, IL 60628

The official statewide facility list identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Chicago West

5301 W. Lexington Street, Chicago, IL 60644

The official statewide facility list identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Chicago Heights

570 W. 209th Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

The facility list identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Melrose Park DMV+

1903 N. Mannheim Road, Melrose Park, IL 60160

The current facility list identifies this DMV+ location as appointment required for Driver Services. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Midlothian

14434 S. Pulaski, Midlothian, IL 60445

The current statewide list identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Orland Park

18230 Orland Parkway, Orland Park, IL 60467

The current facility list identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Schaumburg

1227 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173

The statewide facility list identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Des Plaines

1533 Lee Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016

The Des Plaines facility relocated from 1470 Lee Street to its new location in April 2026. The Secretary of State describes the new facility as appointment-only and states that it offers driver’s license applications, driving tests, and other services. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Reasonable alternatives

Depending on where you live in Cook County and the services you need, other metro-area facilities may be practical alternatives. The Secretary of State's current list includes locations such as Deerfield, Lombard, Lake Zurich, and Waukegan outside Cook County. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Important:Do not rely on an older address or an older appointment policy. The Secretary of State's facility information changes over time. Before traveling, check the official DMV Finder for the current address, hours, available services, road-test availability, and appointment requirements. The facility finder also distinguishes full Driver Services locations from specialized or senior-only locations. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Cook County and am 18?

If you are 18, applying for an Illinois driver’s license for the first time, and have never completed an approved driver education course, you generally must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Do 19-year-olds in Cook County have to take the course?

Yes, if they meet all three Illinois eligibility conditions: age 19, first-time Illinois license applicant, and no prior approved driver education course. (Illinois Secretary of State)

What about a first-time applicant who is 20?

The same three-part eligibility test applies to a 20-year-old first-time Illinois driver’s license applicant. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Can I take the Cook County Adult Driver Education Course online?

Yes. Illinois allows the course to be completed online when the provider is certified to offer online Adult Driver Education. (Illinois Secretary of State)

How long is the Adult Driver Education Course?

The course must be at least six hours long. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Does the six-hour course include driving lessons?

No. The Adult Driver Education Course consists of classroom or online instruction. It does not include, and is not required to include, behind-the-wheel training. (Illinois Secretary of State)

How much driving practice does Illinois recommend?

The Secretary of State encourages applicants to complete at least50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before obtaining an Illinois driver’s license. This recommended practice is separate from the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Is the provider's final test the same as the Secretary of State written test?

No. The course provider administers a written test at the end of the course. The Secretary of State separately administers the applicable written examination when you apply for your license. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Do I still have to take a road test in Cook County?

If a road test is applicable to your licensing situation, you must complete the Secretary of State's behind-the-wheel examination. Completing Adult Driver Education does not replace that examination. (Illinois Secretary of State)

What should I bring to the Driver Services facility?

Bring your Adult Driver Education Certificate of Completion along with the identification documents required for your application. The Secretary of State's current identification-document publication lists acceptable documents by category. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Do Cook County Driver Services facilities require appointments?

Many Cook County and Chicago-area Driver Services locations are currently identified by the Secretary of State as appointment required. The current facility list should be checked before traveling because policies and locations can change. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Where can a Cook County applicant take the licensing examinations?

Cook County has multiple Driver Services locations, including facilities in Chicago, Bridgeview, Chicago Heights, Melrose Park, Midlothian, Orland Park, Schaumburg, and Des Plaines. Check the official DMV Finder to confirm that your selected facility provides the particular service or examination you need. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Does someone under 18 take this six-hour course?

Applicants under 18 follow Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing process. The six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement is specifically aimed at qualifying first-time applicants ages 18, 19, and 20. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Does someone age 21 or older have to take this course?

Most applicants age 21 or older are not subject to the six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement for 18-to-20-year-old first-time applicants. Other licensing requirements may still apply depending on the individual's circumstances.

Does living in Chicago, Cicero, Evanston, or another Cook County community change the course requirement?

No. The Adult Driver Education eligibility rules are statewide. Your Cook County community does not change the three-part eligibility test. The benefit of online instruction is that an eligible applicant can complete the classroom portion without attending a physical classroom, while still completing the required in-person licensing process afterward. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Start Your Cook County Adult Driver Education Course Online

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 through a certified provider.

Complete the course, successfully pass the provider's final test, download your Certificate of Completion, and then prepare for your Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services visit.

Start your Illinois Adult Driver Education course online today.

Cities and Towns in Cook County County, Illinois

Berwyn, city

Blue Island, city

Burbank, city

Calumet City, city

Chicago, city and county seat

Chicago Heights, city

Cicero, town

Country Club Hills, city

Countryside, city

Des Plaines, city

Evanston, city

Harvey, city

Hickory Hills, city

Hometown, city

Markham, city

Northlake, city

Oak Forest, city

Palos Heights, city

Palos Hills, city

Park Ridge, city

Prospect Heights, city

Rolling Meadows, city

Legal-classification note:Illinois distinguishes cities, villages, and towns as separate forms of municipalities. Cicero is an incorporated town, while the other municipalities above are legally classified as cities. Village communities have intentionally been excluded from this section. Cook County's current municipal and regional planning sources also distinguish these municipal classifications. (Illinois Commerce Commission)

Sources