Overview
The city is also an important Southern Illinois transportation center. Murphysboro identifies Illinois Routes 13, 127, and 149 as major highways serving the community. (The City of Murphysboro)
Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
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.
The requirement applies statewide, including Murphysboro.
Who Does Not Need the Course?
You generally do not need this specific course if:
You are under 18 and follow the separate teen program.
You are age 21 or older and do not otherwise fall under the specific requirement.
You previously completed qualifying driver education.
You previously held a driver's license.
You are transferring a valid out-of-state license rather than applying as a first-time Illinois license applicant.
Illinois Online Adult Driver Education
The course is at least six hours long.
Course subjects include:
Traffic laws
Signs, signals, and pavement markings
Speed
Impaired driving
Distracted driving
Cell phone and texting risks
Safety belts
Night driving
Right-of-way
Risk-taking and decision-making
The provider administers a final written test.
This provider test is separate from the Illinois Secretary of State written examination.
What the Course Includes
At least six hours of Adult Driver Education
Online instruction through a certified provider
Traffic-law education
Traffic-safety information
Provider-administered final test
Certificate of Completion
What the Course Does Not Include
Behind-the-wheel training
Professional driving lessons
Secretary of State written testing
Secretary of State road testing
Automatic driver's license issuance
Illinois encourages adult applicants to obtain at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. This is recommended practice and is not part of the six-hour course.
Driving in Murphysboro
Murphysboro has a more developed road network than many smaller Jackson County communities.
The city's comprehensive plan identifies Illinois Route 149, Illinois Route 13, and Illinois Route 127 as major highways. It also identifies Illinois Route 149, or Walnut Street, as the main downtown thoroughfare and Route 13 as the connection between Murphysboro and Carbondale. (The City of Murphysboro)
New drivers should be prepared for a mixture of:
Downtown traffic
Residential streets
State highways
Commercial traffic
Regional commuters
Pedestrians
Turning vehicles
Rural roads outside the city
Winter weather
Primary Local Driving Topic: Highway and Downtown Traffic
Murphysboro's road network brings together several major routes.
Illinois Route 149, Illinois Route 13, and Illinois Route 127 intersect in the community, creating a transportation environment that is more complex than a small residential street network. (The City of Murphysboro)
New drivers should focus on lane positioning, turning decisions, traffic signals, pedestrian awareness, and recognizing route changes.
Practical Safety Tips
Choose your lane before reaching a major intersection.
Watch for vehicles turning across your path.
Check mirrors before changing lanes.
Leave additional space around commercial vehicles.
Watch for pedestrians in downtown areas.
Reduce speed when approaching unfamiliar intersections.
Follow temporary traffic-control signs during road work.
Illinois Route 13
Route 13 is one of the principal transportation corridors through Murphysboro.
The city identifies State Route 13 as a major route connecting Murphysboro with Carbondale. (The City of Murphysboro)
Drivers should expect regional traffic and changing traffic volumes along the corridor.
Illinois Route 127
Illinois Route 127 provides a north-south connection through Murphysboro and surrounding Jackson County.
The route is particularly important for drivers traveling toward rural southern Jackson County and recreational destinations.
The City of Murphysboro identifies Route 127 as one of the major highways serving the city. (The City of Murphysboro)
Illinois Route 149 and Walnut Street
Illinois Route 149, also known as Walnut Street in Murphysboro, functions as a principal downtown thoroughfare.
The city's transportation plan identifies Route 149 as a principal arterial serving regional travel. (The City of Murphysboro)
New drivers should be particularly attentive to turning vehicles, pedestrians, intersections, and changing traffic patterns in the downtown area.
Winter Driving in Murphysboro
Murphysboro has specifically designated snow routes.
The city identifies Walnut Street, State Route 13-127, Business State Route 13, and several city streets as snow routes. (The City of Murphysboro)
The city also maintains an extensive street system. Its Street Maintenance Division states that it maintains 56 miles of streets and 22 miles of alleys. (The City of Murphysboro)
When winter weather occurs:
Reduce speed.
Increase following distance.
Brake earlier.
Avoid abrupt steering.
Watch for icy intersections.
Follow snow-route restrictions.
Give snowplows and maintenance equipment additional space.
Big Muddy River and Flooding
Jackson County contains the Big Muddy River and other waterways, and flooding can affect portions of the local road network.
County hazard-mitigation planning has identified low-lying roads and flooding concerns, including Riverside Park Road in Murphysboro. (Illinois Emergency Management Agency)
Drivers should never assume that a familiar road remains safe during flooding.
Follow official road closures and barricades and use alternate routes when conditions require them.
Rural Roads Outside Murphysboro
Murphysboro connects directly to rural areas of Jackson County.
Drivers who are learning in the city should also practice on rural roads before becoming fully comfortable with the broader county network.
Rural roads can involve:
Curves
Limited lighting
Wildlife
Agricultural equipment
Narrow shoulders
Changing pavement
Longer distances between services
Shawnee National Forest and Recreational Traffic
The broader Murphysboro area provides access to Shawnee National Forest and destinations such as Giant City State Park.
Illinois DNR identifies Giant City Road as an access route into Giant City State Park, while park materials identify connections with Murphysboro, Carbondale, Makanda, and surrounding highways. (Illinois Department of Natural Resources)
Recreational traffic can include unfamiliar drivers, vehicles slowing for destinations, pedestrians near park entrances, and vehicles carrying outdoor equipment.
Murphysboro Driver Services
The Carbondale Driver Services facility is located nearby:
Carbondale Driver Services2516 W. Murphysboro RoadCarbondale, IL 62901
The current Illinois Secretary of State directory lists Carbondale as a Driver Services facility. Its Facility Finder identifies first-time driver's license issuance, vision screening, written tests, and non-CDL road tests among available services. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Murphysboro itself is not currently listed as a Driver Services facility in the statewide directory.
Applicants should verify current facility information before traveling.
Take Adult Driver Education Online in Murphysboro
Eligible first-time Illinois license applicants living in Murphysboro can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course online.
After passing the provider's final test, the student receives a Certificate of Completion.
The student must then continue the Illinois licensing process at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
Murphysboro Adult Driver Education FAQ
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Murphysboro?
If you are 18, 19, or 20, applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and have never completed qualifying driver education, you generally need the six-hour course.
Can I take the course online?
Yes. Eligible applicants can complete the course online through a certified provider.
How long is the course?
At least six hours.
Does the course include behind-the-wheel training?
No.
Is the provider final test the state written test?
No. The tests are separate.
Where is the nearest Driver Services facility?
The Jackson County Driver Services facility is in Carbondale at 2516 W. Murphysboro Road. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does Carbondale offer first-time licensing?
Yes. The current Facility Finder lists first-time driver's license issuance. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What roads are most important in Murphysboro?
Illinois Routes 13, 127, and 149 are major highways serving the city. (The City of Murphysboro)
What should I know about Walnut Street?
Walnut Street carries Illinois Route 149 and serves as a major downtown thoroughfare.
Does Murphysboro have designated snow routes?
Yes. The city identifies several state and city streets as snow routes. (The City of Murphysboro)
Does flooding affect local driving?
Flooding can affect low-lying portions of Jackson County. Drivers should obey closures and never drive through unsafe floodwater.
Is Murphysboro a city?
Yes. The Illinois State Archives identifies Murphysboro as a city and the county seat of Jackson County. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does Illinois recommend 50 hours of practice?
Yes. Illinois encourages 50 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 hours at night.
Do applicants under 18 take this adult course?
No. They follow the separate teen driver education and licensing process.
Do applicants 21 or older need this course?
Most applicants age 21 or older do not fall under the specific six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement.
Does completing the course automatically issue my license?
No. You must still complete the applicable Secretary of State licensing requirements and examinations.
Start Your Murphysboro Adult Driver Education Course Online
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois license applicant age 18, 19, or 20, complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course online through a certified provider.
Pass the provider's final test, obtain your Certificate of Completion, and continue with the Illinois licensing process at the Secretary of State.