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 to an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
You generally must complete the course if all three conditions apply:
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.
These requirements apply statewide, including DeKalb.
Who Does Not Need This Course?
You generally do not need this particular six-hour course if:
You are under 18 and follow Illinois' teen licensing process.
You are 21 or older, unless another specific requirement applies.
You previously held a license and are not subject to the first-time applicant requirement.
You completed an approved driver education course and can provide acceptable proof.
You are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license.
Illinois Online Course Rules
The course must contain at least six hours of classroom or online instruction and must be provided by an appropriately certified provider.
Instruction covers Illinois traffic laws, signs, signals, pavement markings, impaired driving, distracted driving, speed, safety belts, nighttime driving, right-of-way, and driver decision-making.
The provider also administers a final written test.
Passing that test does not replace the Secretary of State written examination required during the licensing process.
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
Includes
Six hours of required instruction.
Online classroom instruction through a certified provider.
Illinois traffic-safety information.
Driver responsibility and risk-awareness education.
Provider-administered final written test.
Certificate of Completion after successful completion.
Does Not Include
Behind-the-wheel lessons.
Secretary of State written testing.
Secretary of State road testing.
Automatic license issuance.
DeKalb Illinois Driver Licensing Process
An eligible DeKalb applicant generally should:
Confirm eligibility.
Select a certified Adult Driver Education provider.
Complete the six-hour course online.
Pass the provider's final written test.
Obtain and print the Certificate of Completion.
Prepare the required identification documents.
Confirm Driver Services appointment and testing requirements.
Visit an appropriate Secretary of State facility.
Complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations.
Complete the remaining licensing requirements.
Driving in DeKalb, Illinois
DeKalb has a more complex driving environment than many smaller communities in the county.
The city is home to Northern Illinois University and is connected to Sycamore and Cortland through the regional transportation network. The City of DeKalb operates public transit throughout the DeKalb urbanized area, including routes serving Northern Illinois University, Sycamore, and Cortland. (City of DeKalb)
New drivers may encounter:
University-related traffic.
Pedestrians and cyclists.
Transit buses.
Commercial traffic.
Downtown traffic.
Railroad crossings.
Major state routes.
Interstate traffic through nearby I-88.
The combination of university activity and regional traffic makes active observation particularly important.
Major Roads and Highways
Illinois Route 38
IL Route 38, also known as Lincoln Highway through DeKalb, is one of the city's major east-west routes.
Illinois Route 23
IL Route 23 is an important north-south route through DeKalb and connects the city with surrounding communities.
Illinois Route 64
IL Route 64 provides an important east-west connection between DeKalb County communities.
Peace Road
Peace Road is a major north-south corridor connecting the DeKalb-Sycamore area with I-88 and surrounding roads.
Annie Glidden Road
Annie Glidden Road serves the DeKalb area and provides access to Northern Illinois University and other destinations.
I-88
I-88 is the principal interstate connection for the DeKalb area and provides access toward Chicago and western Illinois.
Primary Local Driving Topic: University, Pedestrian, and Multimodal Traffic
DeKalb's connection with Northern Illinois University creates a driving environment where motorists must share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, transit vehicles, and other road users.
The city transit system includes routes serving university areas and connections to Sycamore and Cortland. (City of DeKalb)
New drivers should:
Scan intersections before proceeding on a green light.
Expect pedestrians near campus and downtown.
Watch for cyclists when turning.
Give buses and other transit vehicles appropriate space.
Avoid distracted driving.
Check for pedestrians before turning across crosswalks.
Reduce speed where pedestrian activity is high.
Expect traffic patterns to change during university activity.
A green light does not mean an intersection is automatically clear.
Additional Driving Topic: Railroad Crossings
Railroad crossings are also a major consideration in DeKalb.
The DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study identifies numerous 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 traffic delays. Grade-separated crossings include Annie Glidden Road, Peace Road, and Pearl Street. (DeKalb County)
Never drive around a lowered railroad gate or enter a crossing unless there is enough room to clear the tracks.
Winter Driving in DeKalb
Snow and ice can affect braking, visibility, lane positioning, and stopping distance.
New drivers should:
Reduce speed when conditions deteriorate.
Increase following distance.
Brake smoothly.
Avoid abrupt steering.
Clear snow and ice from the vehicle before driving.
Give snowplows additional space.
Take the Course Online in DeKalb
Eligible DeKalb applicants can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education course online without attending a physical classroom.
The online format is available through certified providers, including IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com, which is listed by the Illinois Secretary of State as an online provider. (Illinois Secretary of State)
After successful completion, continue the licensing process through the Secretary of State.
DeKalb Driver Services
1360 Oakwood StreetDeKalb, IL 60115
The current Secretary of State facility list identifies this location as Appointment Required for Driver Services. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Confirm the current services, hours, appointment requirements, and road-testing availability before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in DeKalb?
If you are 18, 19, or 20, applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and have never completed approved driver education, you generally need the six-hour course.
Can I take the course online in DeKalb?
Yes. Eligible applicants can complete the course online through a certified provider.
Is IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com certified?
The Illinois Secretary of State's current provider listing identifies IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com as an online Adult Driver Education provider. (Illinois Secretary of State)
How long is the course?
The course must contain at least six hours of instruction.
Does the course include behind-the-wheel training?
No. Driving instruction is separate from the six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement.
Is the provider final test the same as the Secretary of State test?
No. They are separate tests administered for different purposes.
Where is the DeKalb Driver Services facility?
It is located at 1360 Oakwood Street in DeKalb.
Does the DeKalb facility require an appointment?
The current facility list identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What makes driving in DeKalb different from smaller communities?
DeKalb combines university traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, transit, railroad crossings, state routes, and regional highway traffic.
Are railroad crossings important in DeKalb?
Yes. The Union Pacific rail line includes multiple at-grade crossings in the DeKalb area. (DeKalb County)
Should I practice highway driving?
Yes. Practice should eventually include safe merging, lane changes, exit planning, and maintaining appropriate following distance on I-88.
How much supervised driving practice is recommended?
The Secretary of State encourages at least 50 hours, including at least 10 hours at night.
Can someone under 18 take this course?
Applicants under 18 follow Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements.
Start Your DeKalb Adult Driver Education Course Online
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant age 18, 19, or 20, complete the required six-hour Adult Driver Education instruction online through IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com.
Pass the provider's final test, obtain your Certificate of Completion, and continue the Illinois licensing process.
Sources
- 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)
- City of DeKalb transportation and planning resources. (City of DeKalb)
- City of DeKalb transit routes. (City of DeKalb)
- DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study. (DeKalb County)