Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?

Illinois uses a three-part eligibility test for the six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement.

You generally must complete the course if all three statements are true:

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 Adult Driver Education Course before obtaining an Illinois driver’s license.

For example, an 18-year-old DeKalb County resident who has never been licensed and never completed an approved driver education course would generally need to complete Adult Driver Education before applying for an Illinois driver’s license.

Who Does Not Need This Course?

The six-hour Adult Driver Education course is not required for every person who wants an Illinois driver’s license.

You generally do not need this specific course if:

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

You are21 or older, unless another specific requirement applies to your individual licensing situation.

You have previously been licensed and are not a first-time Illinois license applicant subject to the adult education requirement.

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

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 have to take the Adult Driver Education Course solely because of the move.

Applicants under 18 follow Illinois' separate Graduated Driver Licensing system, which includes different education, permit, supervised-driving, and licensing requirements.

Illinois Online Course Rules

Illinois requires the Adult Driver Education Course to contain at least six hours of classroom or online instruction. The course may be offered online when the provider has the appropriate Secretary of State certification.

The Secretary of State explains that the course covers traffic-safety subjects including current traffic laws, highway signs, signals and markings, poor decision-making, risk-taking, impaired driving, driver distraction, cell phone and text-message use, speeding, safety-belt use, nighttime driving, and failure to yield the right-of-way.

The course must be taken through a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State. The Secretary of State maintains an official provider list and states that completion through a provider that is not certified will not be accepted.

The provider also administers a written final test at the end of the course. Passing that provider test is required for successful course completion. However, it does not replace the written examination administered by the Secretary of State when you apply for your license.

What the Course Includes and Does Not Include

Includes

At least six hours of required Adult Driver Education instruction.

Online instruction when completed through a certified online provider.

Traffic laws, signs, signals, markings, and other traffic-safety subjects.

Information about distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, safety belts, nighttime driving, right-of-way, and driver decision-making.

A provider-administered final written test.

Access to the official completion certificate after successful completion.

Does Not Include

Behind-the-wheel driving instruction.

A substitute for the Secretary of State written examination.

A substitute for the Secretary of State road examination.

Automatic issuance of an Illinois driver’s license.

Automatic driving privileges.

The six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement is an education requirement. Illinois still requires applicants to complete the applicable licensing examinations at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility.

County Licensing Process

For an eligible first-time applicant in DeKalb County, the general process is:

Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements.You should be 18, 19, or 20, applying for an Illinois driver’s license for the first time, and have never completed an approved driver education course.

Choose a Secretary of State-certified Adult Driver Education provider.Verify the provider on the official Illinois Secretary of State provider list.

Complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education course.If you choose an online provider, complete the required online instruction through that provider.

Pass the provider’s final written test.This test is part of completing the Adult Driver Education course.

Obtain your completion certificate.The Secretary of State states that successful students receive access to a Certificate of Completion and should print it.

Prepare your identification documents.First-time applicants must bring the required identification documents. Illinois provides separate document-requirement and acceptable-document lists.

Choose an appropriate Driver Services facility.The DeKalb Driver Services facility is located at 1360 Oakwood Street in DeKalb. Check the official Facility Finder before traveling because services, hours, testing availability, and appointment requirements can change.

Visit Driver Services with your certificate and required documents.

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

Complete the remaining licensing requirements and pay applicable fees.Course completion does not guarantee that a license will be issued.

The Secretary of State specifically distinguishes the provider's final course test from the written examination required when applying for the actual driver’s license.

Driving in DeKalb County

DeKalb County combines small-city driving, residential streets, rural roads, agricultural areas, major highways, railroad crossings, and transportation activity associated with the DeKalb and Sycamore area.

The county's transportation network includes Interstate 88 and connections to Interstate 39, along with major state and U.S. routes. County transportation planning also identifies the importance of the Union Pacific rail line through DeKalb and Cortland. Several at-grade railroad crossings intersect major roads, which can affect travel time and require drivers to pay close attention to crossing signals and stopped traffic.

Rural driving is also an important part of the county's road environment. County highway records include numerous township and county roads serving agricultural areas, with routes such as Shabbona Road, Kirkland Road, Quarry Road, Irene Road, and other rural roads connecting farms and communities. New drivers should expect slower agricultural equipment, vehicles entering or leaving farm properties, changing road conditions, and intersections where traffic may be less frequent but speeds can be higher.

The Kishwaukee River and its branches also cross the county road network. County bridge projects include Peace Road over the East Branch of the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River, while county hazard planning has identified multiple bridges and culverts that can be affected by flooding. Drivers should never attempt to cross a flooded roadway or ignore a road closure.

Winter weather deserves particular attention. The DeKalb County Highway Department maintains procedures for snow removal and warns drivers to maintain extra distance from snowplows because large plow trucks have limited visibility behind them and may stop or maneuver unexpectedly. New drivers should reduce speed for snow and ice, increase following distance, and avoid passing active snowplows unless conditions safely allow it.

Major Roads and Highways

Interstate 88

I-88 is a major east-west transportation route across the county and provides a direct connection toward the Chicago metropolitan area and west toward the Quad Cities region. DeKalb County's own directions to county facilities use I-88 and the Peace Road interchange as a principal approach. New drivers should practice entering and exiting the interstate, matching traffic speed, checking blind spots, and leaving adequate space for higher-speed traffic.

Interstate 39

I-39 provides a major north-south connection west of the DeKalb-Sycamore urban area. County transportation materials describe the region as part of the I-39 logistics corridor, and county directions use I-39 to connect with Illinois Route 64 and I-88.

Illinois Route 23

IL 23 is a major north-south route through the county and serves DeKalb and communities farther south. IDOT has also studied the IL 23 and County Highway 16, or Chicago Road, intersection south of Waterman for a proposed roundabout. Drivers using IL 23 should watch for intersections with county roads, turning traffic, and changing traffic patterns around communities.

Illinois Route 38

IL 38 is an important east-west route through DeKalb, Cortland, and the surrounding area. IDOT project records identify sections between IL 23, Peace Road, Cortland, and the Kane County line. The route also intersects the railroad network in DeKalb, making careful attention to traffic controls and crossing conditions important.

Illinois Route 64

IL 64 connects communities including Sycamore and provides an important east-west route through the county. DeKalb County directions use IL 64 as a major approach to Sycamore and the county government campus.

Illinois Route 72

IL 72 serves the northern portion of DeKalb County, including the Kingston area, and connects with county roads such as Kirkland Road and other rural routes. Drivers using this corridor should be prepared for a mix of highway and rural-road conditions.

U.S. Routes 30 and 34

U.S. 30 serves the southern portion of DeKalb County, including the Shabbona area. U.S. 34 serves the southeastern portion of the county around Somonauk and Sandwich and continues toward neighboring counties. IDOT project records document work on both routes within DeKalb County.

Primary Local Driving Topic: Railroad Crossings

Railroad crossings are an important local driving issue in the DeKalb and Cortland area.

DeKalb-Sycamore transportation planning identifies numerous railroad crossings in the area, including at-grade crossings along the Union Pacific main rail line. The rail line crosses major roads in DeKalb and Cortland, and trains can block routes and create delays. Grade-separated crossings include Annie Glidden Road, Peace Road, and Pearl Street.

New drivers should:

Slow down when approaching a railroad crossing and look for warning signals.

Never drive around lowered crossing gates.

Stop behind the marked stop line when required.

Watch for stopped traffic beyond the tracks before proceeding.

Avoid entering a crossing unless there is enough space to completely clear the tracks.

Expect delays when a train occupies a crossing and allow extra travel time rather than trying to find an unsafe way around the blockage.

Remember that a second train may approach from another direction after the first train passes.

Rail crossings require active observation. A driver should treat flashing signals, gates, bells, and other crossing warnings as instructions to stop and wait.

Additional Driving or Safety Topic: Flooding and Water-Crossing Safety

DeKalb County's road network includes bridges and culverts over the Kishwaukee River and its branches, as well as other creeks. County hazard planning has identified numerous bridge and culvert locations where flooding can affect transportation routes.

New drivers should never assume that a road is safe simply because the water appears shallow. If a roadway is closed, barricaded, or covered by moving water, use another route. Do not drive around a barricade to reach a flooded bridge or low-water roadway.

Heavy rain can also reduce visibility, increase stopping distances, and create standing water. Slow down when conditions deteriorate, increase following distance, and avoid sudden steering or braking.

Take the Course Online Throughout the County

Eligible first-time applicants can complete the classroom portion of Adult Driver Education online from anywhere in DeKalb County when using a certified online provider.

That means an eligible student in DeKalb does not have to travel to a classroom for the six-hour instruction when choosing a certified online course. The same applies to eligible applicants in Sycamore, Genoa, Cortland, Sandwich, and rural areas throughout the county.

The online course does not eliminate the need to visit the Illinois Secretary of State. After successful completion, the student should download and print the completion certificate and bring it with the required identification documents to a Driver Services facility. The applicable vision, written, and behind-the-wheel examinations are completed through the Secretary of State licensing process.

DeKalb

DeKalb is one of the county's primary urban centers and is home to Northern Illinois University. Local streets connect with IL 23, IL 38, IL 64, Peace Road, and other important corridors. The city also contains numerous railroad crossings, making awareness of trains, crossing signals, and traffic queues particularly important for new drivers.

Sycamore

Sycamore is the county seat. Illinois State Archives records show Sycamore has served as the county seat since 1840. Major approaches include IL 23 and IL 64, with I-88 and I-39 providing regional connections. Drivers in and around Sycamore encounter a mix of downtown streets, residential roads, state routes, and rural roads.

Genoa

Genoa is a city in northern DeKalb County. IL 72 serves the area, and the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River runs through the broader northern part of the county. Drivers traveling around Genoa should be prepared for a combination of community streets and rural roads leading toward surrounding agricultural areas.

Cortland

Cortland is an incorporated town and is divided by the Union Pacific rail line. The DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study identifies at-grade crossings in Cortland at Somonauk Road and Loves Road. IL 38 also serves the community and connects it with DeKalb and the Kane County area.

Sandwich

Sandwich is a city located partly in DeKalb County and extends across county boundaries. The city is served by U.S. 34 and has a strong agricultural and transportation history. Because Sandwich is near the southern edge of the county, drivers may travel between DeKalb, Kendall, and LaSalle County roads during ordinary local trips.

Malta

Malta is a village and therefore is not included in the Cities and Towns section below. It is nevertheless an important DeKalb County community for local driving because it sits west of DeKalb and is connected to the county's network of rural roads. County highway records identify routes serving Malta Township and surrounding areas.

DeKalb Driver Services Facility

1360 Oakwood StreetDeKalb, IL 60115

The current statewide Illinois Secretary of State facility list identifies the DeKalb location asAppointment Required for Driver Services.

This is the principal Driver Services facility in DeKalb County for applicants who need to complete the licensing process. The DeKalb County government also identifies the Oakwood Street location as the Illinois driver's license examining station.

Reasonable alternatives

Applicants may also consider other Northern Illinois Driver Services facilities when appropriate:

Dixon Driver Services, 925 S. Peoria, Dixon, IL 61021

Mendota Driver Services, Route 34 East, Mendota, IL 61342

The current statewide facility list does not identify those two locations with the same "Appointment Required for Driver Services" designation shown for DeKalb. Services can vary by location, so applicants should not assume that every facility offers every type of examination.

Before traveling, use the official Illinois Secretary of State Facility Finder to confirm current hours, available services, road-testing availability, appointment requirements, and any temporary closures. A Fast-Lane kiosk should not be confused with a full Driver Services facility. The Secretary of State explains that kiosks are currently intended for select renewal services, not first-time driver licensing and road examinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in DeKalb County?

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 generally must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course.

Can I take Adult Driver Education online in DeKalb County?

Yes. Illinois allows the course to be completed online when the provider is certified to offer the online Adult Driver Education program.

How long is the Illinois Adult Driver Education course?

The course is at least six hours long. Individual providers may structure the course differently as long as they meet the applicable state requirements.

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 instruction.

Does Illinois recommend supervised driving practice for adult applicants?

Yes. The Secretary of State encourages applicants to have at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, including at least 10 hours of nighttime driving, before obtaining an Illinois driver’s license. This is an encouragement, not a required component of the six-hour Adult Driver Education course.

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 Adult Driver Education course. You must still complete the applicable written examination administered by the Secretary of State when applying for your driver’s license.

What happens after I pass the Adult Driver Education course?

You receive access to your Certificate of Completion. The Secretary of State instructs successful students to download and print the certificate, then bring it to a Driver Services facility with the other required identification documents.

What documents should I bring to the DeKalb Driver Services facility?

First-time applicants must bring the identification documents required by the Secretary of State. The exact documents depend on the type of application and the documentation groups that apply to you. Review the current Illinois document requirements and acceptable identification documents before visiting the facility.

Does the DeKalb Driver Services facility require an appointment?

The current statewide Illinois facility list identifies the DeKalb Driver Services location at 1360 Oakwood Street asAppointment Required for Driver Services. Because facility procedures can change, confirm the current requirement through the official Facility Finder before traveling.

Can I take the course in Sycamore, Genoa, Cortland, or Sandwich without going to a classroom?

Yes. The classroom portion can be completed online through a certified online provider. You do not have to attend a physical classroom simply because you live in one of these DeKalb County communities. You will still need to visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility to complete the licensing process.

What if I am under 18 and live in DeKalb County?

Applicants under 18 follow Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing program. The six-hour Adult Driver Education course is not the substitute for that teen process.

What if I am 21 or older?

Most applicants age 21 or older do not have the six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement that applies to eligible first-time applicants ages 18 through 20. Your individual licensing situation can involve other requirements, so verify your circumstances with the Secretary of State.

Can I use this course if I already have a valid out-of-state driver’s license?

No, you do not take the Adult Driver Education Course solely to transfer a valid out-of-state driver's license to Illinois. The Secretary of State states that applicants moving to Illinois with a valid out-of-state license surrender that license and complete the applicable Illinois requirements instead.

Are railroad crossings an important consideration for new drivers in DeKalb County?

Yes. The DeKalb-Sycamore transportation study identifies multiple railroad crossings, including at-grade crossings in DeKalb and Cortland. New drivers should pay close attention to crossing signals, gates, stopped traffic, and trains.

Does DeKalb County have roads affected by flooding?

Yes. County hazard planning identifies multiple bridges and culverts associated with the Kishwaukee River and its branches where flooding can affect transportation routes. Drivers should obey road closures and never drive through moving floodwater.

Start Your DeKalb County Adult Driver Education Course

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 instruction online through IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com.

Complete the course, pass the provider's final test, obtain your completion certificate, and then continue the Illinois licensing process at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility.

Cities and Towns in DeKalb County, Illinois

Cortland, town

DeKalb, city

Genoa, city

Sandwich, city

Sycamore, city and county seat

The Illinois State Archives Name Index identifies Cortland as an incorporated town and DeKalb, Genoa, Sandwich, and Sycamore as incorporated cities. It separately identifies communities such as Hinckley, Kingston, Kirkland, Malta, Shabbona, Somonauk, and Waterman as villages, so they are excluded from this section.

Sandwich is included because it is an incorporated city with territory in DeKalb County and is officially recognized by DeKalb County as one of its cities. The city itself confirms that it extends across the DeKalb County boundary into neighboring counties.

Online Adult Driver Education in DeKalb County, Illinois