Overview
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.
Eligible Mount Vernon students can complete the classroom portion online through a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State to offer Adult Driver Education online. The Secretary of State states that the course may be completed in a classroom or online, depending on the provider's certification. (Illinois Secretary of State)
After successfully completing the course and the provider-administered final written test, the student receives access to a Certificate of Completion. The certificate should be downloaded and printed for the licensing process.
The online course does not replace the Illinois Secretary of State licensing examinations. After completing Adult Driver Education, you must still visit an operating Driver Services facility and complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Must Take Adult Driver Education in Mount Vernon?
The six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement generally applies if all three statements below are true:
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.
The Illinois Secretary of State confirms that eligible applicants in this age group must successfully complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course before obtaining an Illinois driver's license. The course must come from a provider certified by the Secretary of State. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The current Secretary of State provider listing identifies IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com as an Online Adult Driver Education provider. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Does Not Need the Six-Hour Course?
You generally do not need this specific Adult Driver Education course if:
You are under 18. Younger applicants follow Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements.
You are 21 or older. The specific six-hour requirement is directed at eligible first-time applicants ages 18 through 20.
You already completed qualifying driver education. Illinois recognizes qualifying driver education completed through a high school or commercial driving school.
You have previously been licensed. The six-hour requirement applies to applicants who have never previously been licensed.
You are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license. Transferring a valid out-of-state license does not by itself create an Adult Driver Education requirement.
If your previous driver education or licensing history is unusual, verify your individual requirements with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Illinois Online Adult Driver Education Rules
The Adult Driver Education Course is at least six hours of classroom or computer-based online instruction. Illinois identifies topics including current traffic laws, highway signs, signals and markings, poor decision-making, risk taking, impaired driving, driver distraction, cell phone and text-message use, speed, safety-belt use, nighttime driving, and failure to yield the right-of-way. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Online instruction is permitted when the provider is certified for the online format. The Secretary of State warns that completion from a provider that is not certified will not be accepted. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The course also includes a provider-administered written final test. This is separate from the written examination administered by the Secretary of State when you apply for your driver's license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What the Course Includes
The six-hour Adult Driver Education course includes:
At least six hours of classroom or online instruction
Illinois traffic laws and traffic-safety information
Highway signs, signals, and pavement markings
Information about impaired driving
Information about distracted driving
Speed and risk-taking information
Safety-belt information
Nighttime-driving safety
Right-of-way and yielding concepts
A provider-administered final written test
Access to a Certificate of Completion after successful completion
What the Course Does Not Include
The course does not include:
Behind-the-wheel driving lessons
In-car instruction
The Illinois Secretary of State written examination
The Illinois Secretary of State road examination
Automatic issuance of a driver's license
Driving privileges simply because the course has been completed
Illinois states that the six-hour course consists of classroom or computer online time and does not include or require behind-the-wheel training. Illinois also encourages applicants to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before obtaining a license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Mount Vernon Licensing Process
For an eligible first-time Mount Vernon applicant, the general process is:
Confirm your eligibility.
Choose an Illinois Secretary of State-certified provider.
Select an online provider if you want to complete the classroom portion online.
Complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education course.
Pass the provider's final written test.
Obtain your Certificate of Completion.
Download and print the certificate.
Gather your required identification documents.
Locate an operating Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
Complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations.
Pay the applicable licensing fees and satisfy all remaining requirements.
Receive your Illinois driver's license after successfully completing the licensing process.
Completing the online course does not automatically issue a license or authorize you to drive.
Driving in Mount Vernon, Illinois
Mount Vernon is the Jefferson County seat and a major transportation center in southern Illinois. The city identifies I-57, I-64, IL 37, and IL 15 as important local roads and highways. The city's transportation profile also identifies major employers and regional logistics activity, while the city's economic-development information highlights direct access to I-57 and I-64 and connections to major railroads. (City of Mt. Vernon)
For a new driver, Mount Vernon's most important characteristic is the transition between city driving and high-speed regional traffic.
A driver may encounter:
Multilane city streets
Traffic signals and commercial corridors
Interstate entrance and exit ramps
Tractor-trailers and freight traffic
Railroad crossings
Construction zones
Two-lane state highways
Rural roads outside the city
Mount Vernon is particularly important because I-57 and I-64 meet near the city. IDOT describes Mount Vernon as a crossroads of two major interstates and a major arterial route, with IL 15 providing an important east-west connection. (IDOT)
Major Roads and Highways Near Mount Vernon
Interstate 57
I-57 is the principal north-south interstate serving Mount Vernon. It connects the region with central Illinois to the north and southern Illinois and the Memphis area to the south.
New drivers should be comfortable with:
Entering and exiting interstate traffic
Building speed on entrance ramps
Checking blind spots
Changing lanes safely
Maintaining following distance
Watching for large trucks
Reading exit signs early
Interstate 64
I-64 provides the major east-west interstate connection through the Mount Vernon area. It connects toward St. Louis to the west and the Louisville region to the east.
Around Mount Vernon, I-64 overlaps with I-57, creating an interchange environment where drivers must pay close attention to route direction and exit information. (IDOT)
Illinois Route 15
IL 15 is an important east-west state route through Mount Vernon and connects directly with the I-57/I-64 interchange.
IDOT is reconstructing the I-57/64 and IL 15 interchange as part of a major transportation project. The planned design is a diverging diamond interchange, with construction occurring in phases and traffic maintained through the work area except for certain temporary closures. (IDOT)
Illinois Route 37
IL 37 is a major north-south route serving Mount Vernon and connecting local streets with the surrounding regional highway system.
Illinois Route 142
IL 142 provides an east-west connection through the Mount Vernon area and connects toward communities east of the city.
Illinois Route 148
IL 148 provides another important regional connection south of Mount Vernon and toward the Rend Lake area.
Primary Local Driving Topic: Interstate Interchanges and Construction
For a new Mount Vernon driver, interstate interchange navigation and construction-zone driving are especially important.
The I-57/I-64 and IL 15 interchange is undergoing reconstruction. IDOT says the project is intended to address operational, geometric, safety, and capacity deficiencies and is being rebuilt as a diverging diamond interchange. (IDOT)
New drivers should:
Read signs well before reaching an interchange.
Know which route and direction they need before entering the ramp.
Build appropriate speed on entrance ramps.
Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.
Avoid last-second lane changes.
Maintain extra following distance around trucks.
Slow down when temporary signs require it.
Watch for lane shifts and changing pavement markings.
Expect traffic patterns to change during construction.
Never stop on an interstate travel lane simply because an exit was missed.
Continue to the next safe exit if necessary.
IDOT's current I-57 expansion project includes ongoing work in the southern Illinois corridor through 2028, including reconstruction of the I-57/64 and IL 15 interchange in Jefferson County. (IDOT)
Additional Safety Topic: Freight, Rail, and Commercial Traffic
Mount Vernon has a significant transportation and logistics presence. The city identifies connections to Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, and Evansville Western railroads, while its industrial and distribution base includes manufacturing and distribution operations. (City of Mt. Vernon)
New drivers should expect larger vehicles around commercial corridors and regional highway connections.
When driving near trucks:
Leave additional following distance.
Avoid lingering in truck blind spots.
Do not cut closely in front of a large vehicle.
Remember that trucks need more room to stop.
Watch for trucks entering or leaving industrial areas.
Expect slower traffic near intersections and loading areas.
Railroad crossings require similar attention. Always obey crossing signals and gates, and never attempt to drive around a lowered gate.
Take Mount Vernon Adult Driver Education Online
Eligible Mount Vernon residents can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education classroom requirement online through a certified online provider.
Online learning can be especially convenient for students who live in Mount Vernon and do not want to travel to a physical classroom for six hours of instruction.
Illinois permits the classroom portion to be completed online when the provider is certified for that format. (Illinois Secretary of State)
After successfully completing the course and provider final test, download and print your Certificate of Completion. You must still visit an operating Secretary of State Driver Services facility for the applicable licensing requirements and examinations.
Important Mount Vernon Licensing Facility Information
Former Mount Vernon Driver Services Facility
The former Mount Vernon Driver Services location was:
320 E. Main Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
The current statewide Secretary of State facility information should be checked before traveling because facility locations and operating status can change. The current statewide directory does not list Mount Vernon among the active Driver Services locations in the same manner as operating facilities such as Marion and Fairfield. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Because the former Mount Vernon location should not be assumed to be available for first-time licensing, applicants should use the official Secretary of State facility finder to identify an operating facility before making the trip.
Marion Driver Services Facility
1905 Rendleman Street, Marion, IL 62959
The current statewide facility listing identifies Marion as an Appointment Required for Driver Services location. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Centralia Driver Services Facility
418 S. Poplar, Centralia, IL 62801
Centralia is another regional Driver Services option. Applicants should confirm current services and hours through the official facility finder before traveling.
Fairfield Driver Services Facility
307 N. Market, Fairfield, IL 62837
Fairfield is another nearby southern Illinois Driver Services option listed by the Secretary of State. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Facility services and appointment policies can change. Always verify current information before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Mount Vernon?
You generally need the six-hour course 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.
Can I take Adult Driver Education online in Mount Vernon?
Yes. Illinois permits eligible applicants to take the course online when the provider is certified to offer online Adult Driver Education. (Illinois Secretary of State)
How long is the Mount Vernon Adult Driver Education course?
The course must contain at least six hours of classroom or online instruction. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does the online course include driving lessons?
No. The six-hour course does not include or require behind-the-wheel instruction. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does Illinois require 50 hours of driving practice?
Illinois encourages applicants to complete at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 hours at night. This is recommended practice and is not part of the six-hour Adult Driver Education course.
Is the provider's final test the Illinois written driver's license test?
No. The provider's final test is part of completing the Adult Driver Education course. You must still complete the applicable Secretary of State written examination when applying for your license.
What happens after I finish the course?
You receive access to a Certificate of Completion. Download and print it and bring it with your required documents to a Driver Services facility.
Can I complete the entire licensing process online?
No. The classroom portion can be completed online, but the applicable licensing examinations must still be completed through the Illinois Secretary of State.
Does Mount Vernon have an operating Driver Services facility?
The former Mount Vernon location should not be assumed to be operating. Check the current Secretary of State facility directory and DMV Finder before traveling. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does Marion require an appointment?
The current statewide facility listing identifies Marion as requiring an appointment for Driver Services. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Do I need to take this course if I am under 18?
No. Applicants under 18 follow Illinois' teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements.
Do I need this course if I am 21 or older?
The six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement is directed at eligible first-time applicants ages 18 through 20.
Does previous high school driver education matter?
Yes. If you can provide acceptable proof of qualifying driver education, you generally do not need to complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does living in Mount Vernon change the course requirement?
No. Adult Driver Education eligibility is established by Illinois statewide requirements, not by the city where you live.
Do I still need a road test after taking the online course?
Yes. The Secretary of State requires the applicable vision, written, and road examinations after Adult Driver Education completion. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Start Your Mount Vernon Adult Driver Education Course Online
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant age 18, 19, or 20 in Mount Vernon, you can complete the required six-hour Adult Driver Education classroom portion online through a certified provider.
Complete the course, pass the provider's final test, download and print your Certificate of Completion, and prepare for your Illinois Secretary of State licensing visit.
Start your six-hour online Adult Driver Education course today.