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 students in Nason can complete the classroom portion online through an Illinois Secretary of State certified provider approved to offer online Adult Driver Education. Illinois permits eligible applicants to choose an online course when the provider is certified for that format. (Illinois Secretary of State)
After completing the course and passing 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.
Taking the course online does not complete the entire licensing process. You must still visit an operating Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility and complete the applicable licensing examinations. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
The six-hour Adult Driver Education course generally applies when:
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.
Illinois requires eligible applicants meeting all three conditions to successfully complete the six-hour course before obtaining an Illinois driver's license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The current Illinois Secretary of State provider listing identifies IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com as an Online Adult Driver Education provider. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Does Not Need the Course?
You generally do not need this specific course if:
You are under 18 and instead fall under the teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing program.
You are 21 or older and do not fall under the 18-to-20 Adult Driver Education requirement.
You have already completed qualifying driver education.
You have previously been licensed.
You are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license to Illinois.
If you are uncertain whether previous driver education qualifies, verify your situation with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Illinois Online Course Rules
The Adult Driver Education Course contains at least six hours of classroom or computer-based online instruction.
Illinois identifies course 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
Failure to yield the right-of-way
The course must be provided by a Secretary of State-certified provider. The Secretary of State does not accept Adult Driver Education completed through a provider that is not certified. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The provider also administers a written final test. That test is separate from the Illinois Secretary of State written examination required during the driver's license application process.
What the Course Includes
At least six hours of Adult Driver Education instruction
Online classroom instruction through an appropriately certified provider
Illinois traffic laws and traffic-safety information
Signs, signals, and pavement markings
Impaired and distracted driving information
Speed and risk-taking information
Seat-belt and nighttime-driving information
Right-of-way instruction
Provider-administered final written test
Certificate of Completion after successful completion
What the Course Does Not Include
Behind-the-wheel instruction
In-car driving lessons
Road-test preparation with an instructor
Secretary of State written examination
Secretary of State road examination
Automatic issuance of an Illinois driver's license
Illinois states that the six-hour course is classroom or computer online time only and does not include or require behind-the-wheel training. Applicants are encouraged 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)
Nason Licensing Process
For an eligible first-time Nason applicant, the general process is:
Confirm that you meet the 18-to-20 eligibility requirements.
Select a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State.
Choose an online provider if you want to complete the classroom portion from home.
Complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education course.
Pass the provider's final written test.
Obtain and download your Certificate of Completion.
Print the certificate.
Prepare your required identification documents.
Check the current Illinois Secretary of State facility directory for an operating Driver Services location.
Bring your certificate and identification documents to the facility.
Complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations.
Pay applicable fees and satisfy all remaining licensing requirements.
Course completion alone does not grant driving privileges.
Driving in Nason, Illinois
Nason is an incorporated city in southern Jefferson County. The Illinois State Archives classifies Nason as a municipal city and identifies Mount Vernon as the Jefferson County seat. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Nason has a substantially smaller local street environment than Mount Vernon. For a new driver, that means an important skill is learning how to transition from quieter local streets to the larger regional highway system.
Nason is located in the southern portion of Jefferson County near Rend Lake, and the surrounding area includes rural roads, recreation areas, agricultural activity, and connections toward the larger Mount Vernon transportation network. Nason's public water documentation also identifies its relationship to the Rend Lake Intercity Water System. (Wikipedia)
Drivers should be prepared for:
Rural two-lane roads
Agricultural vehicles
Recreational traffic
Changing road conditions
Limited passing opportunities
Higher-speed traffic on regional highways
Interstate traffic when traveling toward Mount Vernon
Weather-related changes in visibility and pavement conditions
Major Roads and Regional Highways
Interstate 57
I-57 is the most important high-speed regional highway for Nason-area drivers. The interstate provides north-south access through Jefferson County and connects the Mount Vernon area with southern Illinois and communities farther north.
Drivers who are new to interstate travel should practice:
Merging at an appropriate speed
Checking mirrors and blind spots
Maintaining following distance
Reading route signs early
Safely entering and leaving interstate traffic
Interstate 64
I-64 intersects the I-57 corridor near Mount Vernon. Drivers traveling from Nason toward Mount Vernon may eventually encounter the I-57/I-64 system.
The two interstates overlap around Mount Vernon, making route awareness especially important. IDOT describes Mount Vernon as a crossroads of I-57 and I-64 with IL 15 providing an important arterial connection. (IDOT)
Illinois Route 15
IL 15 is one of the region's major east-west state highways and connects with the I-57/I-64 system around Mount Vernon.
IDOT is reconstructing the I-57/64 and IL 15 interchange, making construction-zone awareness particularly important for Nason residents who travel toward Mount Vernon. (IDOT)
Illinois Route 37
IL 37 is an important north-south route in the Mount Vernon region and provides another connection between local roads and the larger state highway system.
Illinois Route 148
IL 148 is particularly relevant to southern Jefferson County and provides a regional connection toward the Rend Lake area and Mount Vernon.
Primary Local Driving Topic: Rural Roads and Transitioning to Interstate Traffic
For Nason, the most important local driving topic is transitioning between rural roads and higher-speed regional highways.
A new driver who primarily practices on quiet local streets may have limited experience with:
Faster traffic
Trucks
Interstate entrance ramps
Merging
Long stopping distances
Rural intersections
Agricultural equipment
Limited shoulders
Curves and changes in sight distance
Before driving independently on I-57 or the I-57/I-64 system, a new driver should practice interstate entry, merging, lane changes, and exits with an experienced supervising driver.
When traveling on rural roads:
Slow down before curves and intersections.
Look well beyond the vehicle immediately ahead.
Expect farm equipment to enter the roadway.
Do not pass when sight distance is inadequate.
Leave additional following distance behind large vehicles.
Watch for gravel, mud, or other material near farm entrances.
Be especially careful where roads narrow or visibility changes.
Additional Safety Topic: Rend Lake, Recreation, and Changing Traffic
Nason's location near Rend Lake adds a recreational dimension to local driving.
The area around Rend Lake can bring together residents, visitors, boaters, recreational vehicles, trailers, and drivers unfamiliar with local roads. That means a normally quiet road can experience increased traffic during recreational periods.
New drivers should:
Watch for vehicles slowing or turning toward recreation areas.
Leave extra space behind vehicles towing trailers.
Expect unfamiliar drivers to slow suddenly while looking for destinations.
Watch carefully for pedestrians and cyclists.
Avoid distracted driving when navigating unfamiliar roads.
Adjust speed to weather and visibility.
Nason's location near the Rend Lake area also means drivers should pay attention to changing weather and roadway conditions, particularly during heavy rain and winter weather.
Take Nason Adult Driver Education Online
Eligible Nason residents can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education classroom portion online through an Illinois Secretary of State-certified online provider.
The online format can be particularly useful in a small community because the student does not have to travel to a physical classroom for the six-hour classroom requirement.
Illinois confirms that eligible applicants may take either a classroom or online course when the provider is appropriately certified. (Illinois Secretary of State)
After completing the course and provider final test, download and print your Certificate of Completion. You will then need to travel to an operating Secretary of State Driver Services facility for the applicable licensing requirements and examinations.
Driver Services Facilities for Nason Residents
Nason does not currently have a listed Driver Services facility.
Mount Vernon
The former Mount Vernon Driver Services location was:
320 E. Main Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
Applicants should not rely on older facility information when planning a first-time licensing visit. The current Secretary of State statewide facility directory should be checked to identify an operating facility. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Marion Driver Services Facility
1905 Rendleman Street, Marion, IL 62959
The Secretary of State currently lists Marion as Appointment Required for Driver Services. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Centralia Driver Services Facility
418 S. Poplar, Centralia, IL 62801
Centralia provides another regional Driver Services option. Confirm current services, hours, and appointment information before traveling.
Fairfield Driver Services Facility
307 N. Market, Fairfield, IL 62837
Fairfield is another regional facility listed by the Secretary of State. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Because Driver Services locations, hours, testing availability, and appointment procedures can change, applicants should use the official Illinois Secretary of State DMV Finder immediately before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Nason?
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 Nason?
Yes. Eligible applicants may take the course online through a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State to offer online Adult Driver Education. (Illinois Secretary of State)
How long is the online course?
The Adult Driver Education course contains at least six hours of classroom or online instruction.
Does the course include driving lessons?
No. Illinois specifically states that the six-hour Adult Driver Education course does not include or require behind-the-wheel training. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does Illinois recommend supervised driving practice?
Yes. Illinois encourages at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before obtaining a driver's license.
Is the provider final exam the Secretary of State written test?
No. The provider's final written test is part of the Adult Driver Education course. The applicable Secretary of State written examination is completed separately.
What do I receive after completing the course?
You receive access to a Certificate of Completion. Download and print it for your licensing visit.
Can I complete the entire licensing process from Nason online?
No. The six-hour classroom portion can be completed online, but the applicable licensing examinations must be completed at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
Does Nason have a Driver Services facility?
No current Driver Services facility is listed in Nason. Check the Secretary of State's current facility directory for the nearest operating location.
Does the former Mount Vernon facility still handle first-time licensing?
Applicants should not assume that the former Mount Vernon location is operating. Always check the current statewide facility directory and DMV Finder before traveling. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does Marion require an appointment?
The current Secretary of State facility directory identifies Marion as requiring an appointment for Driver Services. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Do I need this course if I am under 18?
No. Applicants under 18 follow the separate Illinois teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing process.
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 eliminate the requirement?
Generally, yes, if you can provide acceptable proof of successful completion of qualifying driver education. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Do I still need a road test after taking the course?
Yes. Adult Driver Education does not replace the applicable Secretary of State road examination. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Start Your Nason Adult Driver Education Course Online
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant age 18, 19, or 20 in Nason, 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 then prepare for your Illinois Secretary of State licensing visit.
Start your six-hour online Adult Driver Education course today.