Overview
After successfully completing the course, you receive access to your Certificate of Completion. You should download and print the certificate and bring it with your required identification documents when you visit an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
For Cortland applicants, the DeKalb Driver Services facility at 1360 Oakwood Street in DeKalb is the primary nearby facility for completing the licensing process. The Secretary of State currently identifies Driver Services at that location as appointment required. Check the official Facility Finder before traveling because services and appointment requirements can change.
Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
Illinois uses a three-part eligibility test.
You generally must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course if:
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.
If all three conditions apply to you, the course generally must be completed before you obtain your Illinois driver’s license.
Your location in Cortland does not change the statewide eligibility requirements.
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 specific course if:
You are under 18 and are following Illinois' teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing process.
You are 21 or older, unless another specific licensing requirement applies.
You previously held a license and are not a first-time Illinois license applicant subject to the adult education requirement.
You completed an approved driver education course and can provide acceptable proof.
You are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license to Illinois and are not otherwise subject to the Adult Driver Education requirement.
If you are unsure whether your previous education or licensing history qualifies you for an exemption, verify your situation with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Illinois Online Adult Driver Education Rules
The Adult Driver Education Course must contain at least six hours of classroom or online instruction.
The course covers important Illinois traffic-safety subjects, including:
Illinois traffic laws
Highway signs and signals
Pavement markings
Risk taking
Poor decision-making
Impaired driving
Distracted driving
Cell phone and text-message use
Speed
Safety-belt use
Night driving
Right-of-way rules
The provider also administers a final written test. Passing that test is part of successfully completing the course.
The provider's final test is not the same as the Illinois Secretary of State written examination required as part of the driver's license application process.
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
The course includes
At least six hours of Adult Driver Education instruction.
Online instruction through a certified online provider.
Illinois traffic and driver-safety information.
Instruction concerning signs, signals, markings, and driver responsibilities.
Information about distracted and impaired driving.
A provider-administered final written test.
Access to a Certificate of Completion after successful completion.
The course does not include
Behind-the-wheel driving lessons.
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 driving practice. The Secretary of State encourages at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. This practice is separate from the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course.
Cortland Illinois Driver Licensing Process
For an eligible first-time applicant in Cortland, the general process is:
Confirm your eligibility. Make sure you are 18, 19, or 20, applying for an Illinois license for the first time, and have not completed an approved driver education course.
Choose a certified provider. IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com is currently listed by the Secretary of State as an online provider.
Complete the six-hour course online.
Pass the provider's final written test.
Obtain your Certificate of Completion.
Prepare your required identification documents.
Schedule or confirm your Driver Services visit.
Visit the DeKalb Driver Services facility or another appropriate facility.
Complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations.
Complete the remaining licensing requirements and pay applicable fees.
Completing Adult Driver Education does not by itself issue a driver's license.
Driving in Cortland, Illinois
Cortland has a different driving environment from larger urban communities. The town is located near I-88 and along Illinois Route 38, giving drivers access to the regional transportation network. Cortland's comprehensive plan identifies I-88 as a highway and IL Route 38, Somonauk Road, Bethany Road, Barber Greene Road, Fairview Road, and Gurler Road as important arterial or collector roads.
The town is also divided by the Union Pacific railroad. This creates a particularly important local safety issue for new drivers.
The DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study identifies at-grade railroad crossings in Cortland at Somonauk Road and Loves Road. Trains can delay traffic and create queues on surrounding roads.
New drivers should therefore become comfortable with both higher-speed roadway conditions and railroad crossings.
Major Roads Near Cortland
Interstate 88
I-88 provides regional east-west access near Cortland and connects the area with the Chicago metropolitan region and western Illinois.
New drivers entering I-88 should practice:
Matching traffic speed safely.
Checking mirrors and blind spots.
Using acceleration lanes correctly.
Maintaining following distance.
Planning exits in advance.
Avoiding last-second lane changes.
Illinois Route 38
IL Route 38 is a major east-west route through Cortland and the surrounding DeKalb County area. It provides an important connection between DeKalb, Cortland, and neighboring communities.
Somonauk Road
Somonauk Road is an important north-south corridor near Cortland and provides connections between the town, DeKalb, and surrounding rural areas.
Bethany Road
Bethany Road provides another important connection between Cortland and the broader DeKalb-Sycamore transportation network.
Loves Road
Loves Road is identified as a collector road in Cortland's comprehensive plan and also contains an at-grade railroad crossing.
Primary Local Driving Topic: Railroad Crossings
Railroad crossings are an especially important local driving issue in Cortland.
The Union Pacific rail line divides the community, and the regional transportation study identifies at-grade crossings at Somonauk Road and Loves Road.
New drivers should:
Slow down as they approach railroad crossings.
Watch for flashing lights, gates, bells, and other warnings.
Never drive around a lowered gate.
Stop behind the required stopping point.
Check that traffic beyond the tracks is moving before entering.
Never enter a crossing unless there is enough room to completely clear the tracks.
Expect traffic queues when trains are passing.
Be prepared for a second train after the first train clears.
A railroad crossing can require patience. Trying to save a few minutes is never worth entering a crossing when conditions are unsafe.
Additional Driving Topic: Rural and Agricultural Roads
Cortland is surrounded by a mixture of developed areas and agricultural land. Drivers leaving the town can quickly encounter rural roads with higher speeds, fewer traffic signals, farm entrances, and agricultural equipment.
New drivers should expect:
Slow-moving farm equipment.
Vehicles entering or leaving driveways and farm properties.
Limited street lighting outside developed areas.
Longer stopping distances at higher speeds.
Seasonal changes in road conditions.
Wildlife activity on rural roads.
Allow additional following distance and avoid passing agricultural equipment unless you have adequate visibility and a safe passing opportunity.
Winter Driving in Cortland
Winter weather can create snow, ice, reduced visibility, and slippery pavement throughout DeKalb County.
The DeKalb County Highway Department advises motorists to maintain additional distance from snowplows because large plow trucks have limited visibility behind them and can stop or maneuver unexpectedly.
Reduce speed when conditions deteriorate and avoid abrupt braking or steering.
Take the Course Online in Cortland
Eligible Cortland applicants can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education instruction online without traveling to a physical classroom.
The online format is available through certified providers and can be completed from Cortland or elsewhere in DeKalb County.
After completing the course and passing the provider's final test, obtain your Certificate of Completion and continue the licensing process through the Illinois Secretary of State.
DeKalb Driver Services
1360 Oakwood StreetDeKalb, IL 60115
The Illinois Secretary of State currently identifies the DeKalb facility as Appointment Required for Driver Services.
Before traveling, verify the current appointment requirements, hours, services, and road-testing availability through the official Secretary of State Facility Finder.
Nearby alternatives may include Dixon and Mendota, but applicants should verify that the selected facility provides the particular licensing service or examination they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Cortland?
If you are 18, 19, or 20, 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 Cortland?
Yes. Eligible applicants can complete the course online through an Illinois Secretary of State-certified online provider.
How long is the course?
The Adult Driver Education Course is at least six hours long.
Does the course include driving lessons?
No. The six-hour course is classroom or online education. Behind-the-wheel training is separate.
Is the provider's final test the Illinois written driver's license test?
No. The provider administers its own final test. The Secretary of State separately administers the applicable licensing examination.
What happens after I pass the course?
You receive access to your Certificate of Completion. Download and print it for your licensing visit.
Where does a Cortland applicant go for Driver Services?
The DeKalb Driver Services facility at 1360 Oakwood Street is the primary facility in the county.
Does the DeKalb facility require an appointment?
The current statewide facility list identifies Driver Services at DeKalb as appointment required. Confirm the current requirements before traveling.
Are railroad crossings important in Cortland?
Yes. The Union Pacific rail line divides the community, and at-grade crossings include Somonauk Road and Loves Road.
Should new drivers practice on rural roads?
Yes. Cortland is surrounded by rural and agricultural roads. Practice should include safe speed control, following distance, passing judgment, and awareness of farm equipment.
Is supervised driving practice recommended?
Yes. Illinois encourages at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night.
Can I take the course if I am under 18?
The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course is intended for qualifying first-time applicants ages 18 through 20. Applicants under 18 follow Illinois' separate teen licensing process.
Start Your Cortland 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 instruction online through IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com.
Complete the course, pass the provider's final test, obtain your Certificate of Completion, and continue the Illinois licensing process through the Secretary of State.
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education and Adult Driver Education FAQ. (Illinois Secretary of State)
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education Provider Listing. (Illinois Secretary of State)
- Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Facility Locations. (Illinois Secretary of State)
- Town of Cortland 2023 Comprehensive Plan. (Cortland IL)
- Town of Cortland official zoning and transportation map. (Cortland IL)
- DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan. (DeKalb County)
- DeKalb County Highway Department Highway System. (DeKalb County)