Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
You generally must complete the six-hour course if:
You are 18, 19, or 20.
You are applying for your first Illinois driver's license.
You have never completed approved driver education.
Illinois requires qualifying applicants to complete Adult Driver Education before obtaining the license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Does Not Need This Course?
You generally do not need this specific course if you:
Are under 18 and are following the separate GDL process.
Are 21 or older.
Previously held a driver's license.
Completed qualifying driver education.
Are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license.
Illinois Online Course Rules
The six-hour course must be provided by a Secretary of State-certified provider. Certified providers may offer the course online. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Topics include Illinois traffic laws, signs and markings, risk management, impaired driving, distraction, speed, seat belts, nighttime driving, right-of-way and other crash-related safety issues.
The course does not require operation of a motor vehicle. (Illinois General Assembly)
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
Includes
Six or more hours of instruction
Online classroom instruction through a certified provider
Illinois traffic laws
Signs, signals and pavement markings
Safe decision-making
Impaired and distracted-driving information
Night-driving and right-of-way topics
Provider final test
Completion documentation
Does Not Include
Behind-the-wheel lessons
Instructor driving instruction
Secretary of State written testing
Secretary of State road testing
Automatic license issuance
Illinois encourages 50 hours of supervised practice, including 10 hours at night, but that practice is separate from the six-hour course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Batavia Licensing Process
Confirm eligibility.
Select a certified provider.
Complete the six-hour online course.
Pass the provider final test.
Obtain your completion documentation.
Prepare required identification documents.
Check Secretary of State facility information.
Visit a Driver Services facility.
Complete applicable vision, written and road examinations.
Complete remaining licensing requirements.
Driving in Batavia
Batavia's location along the Fox River places it in a transportation environment that combines established city streets with regional corridors.
The city's comprehensive transportation plan identifies Route 31, Route 25, Main Street, Mooseheart Road, Wilson Street and Western Avenue among important arterial streets. It also identifies Fabyan Parkway, Kirk Road, Orchard Road and Randall Road as significant regional access routes. (Batavia, IL)
New drivers should be prepared for:
Busy state routes
Downtown pedestrian activity
Bicycle traffic
Commercial traffic
Turning vehicles
Signalized intersections
Construction zones
Changing traffic volumes
Major Roads and Highways
Illinois Route 31
Route 31 is a major north-south corridor through Batavia and connects the city with Aurora, Geneva and Elgin.
Illinois Route 25
Route 25 provides another important north-south connection along the Fox River corridor.
Illinois Route 38
Route 38 provides an east-west connection through the Fox Valley.
Randall Road
Randall Road carries substantial regional and commercial traffic and connects Batavia with neighboring communities.
Kirk Road
Kirk Road provides another important regional connection and carries commuter and commercial traffic.
Fabyan Parkway
Fabyan Parkway is an important east-west county corridor serving Batavia and surrounding communities.
Primary Local Driving Topic: Pedestrian and Bicycle Awareness
Batavia's Fox River setting, established downtown and active transportation network make pedestrian and bicycle awareness particularly important.
The city has worked on sidewalk improvements and Safe Routes to School projects, while city traffic alerts regularly identify pedestrian activity around Route 31, Houston Street, Wilson Street, Water Street and other downtown roads. (Batavia, IL)
New drivers should:
Check crosswalks before turning.
Watch for cyclists near intersections.
Avoid blocking crosswalks.
Slow down near schools and parks.
Check carefully before opening doors near bike routes.
Expect pedestrians near downtown destinations.
Give cyclists adequate space.
Additional Safety Topic: Route 31 Traffic
Route 31 carries regional traffic through Batavia and is more demanding than many neighborhood streets.
The city has studied potential changes to Route 31, including a possible road diet, illustrating the continuing focus on balancing vehicle traffic, pedestrian safety and other transportation needs. (Batavia, IL)
Drivers should maintain lane position, watch for turning traffic and avoid unnecessary lane changes.
Take the Course Online in Batavia
Eligible applicants can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education classroom instruction online through a certified provider.
You can complete the instructional portion from home in Batavia and then continue the licensing process at a Secretary of State facility.
Important Batavia Roads
Illinois Route 31
Illinois Route 25
Illinois Route 38
Randall Road
Kirk Road
Fabyan Parkway
Main Street
Wilson Street
Mooseheart Road
Nearby Secretary of State Facilities
Batavia does not currently have a Secretary of State Driver Services facility listed in the statewide facility directory.
Applicants should check current facility listings for nearby locations, including Aurora, Elgin and St. Charles, depending on the services required. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Batavia?
If you are 18, 19 or 20, applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and have not completed qualifying driver education, you generally must complete the six-hour course.
Can I take Adult Driver Education online in Batavia?
Yes. The course can be completed online through a provider certified for online Adult Driver Education.
How long is the course?
At least six hours.
Does the course include behind-the-wheel training?
No.
Is the provider final test the Secretary of State written exam?
No. They are separate tests.
Where do I go after completing the course?
You must visit an appropriate Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
Does Batavia have a DMV facility?
The current statewide Secretary of State facility list does not list a Driver Services facility in Batavia.
What roads should new Batavia drivers practice?
Start with residential roads and gradually practice Route 31, Route 25, Route 38, Randall Road and other major corridors.
Why should I watch for bicycles in Batavia?
Batavia has pedestrian and bicycle facilities and active transportation projects, particularly around downtown and local schools.
What should I watch for downtown?
Expect pedestrians, bicycles, parking activity, turning vehicles and changing traffic patterns.
Is Route 31 difficult for inexperienced drivers?
It can be more demanding because of regional traffic, multiple intersections and turning movements.
Does Illinois recommend supervised driving practice?
Yes. Illinois encourages at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including 10 hours at night.
Can I get my license immediately after completing the online course?
No. You must still complete the applicable Secretary of State licensing requirements.
Start Your Batavia Adult Driver Education Course Online
Eligible first-time applicants ages 18 to 20 can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education instruction online through a certified provider.
Complete the course and provider final test, obtain your completion documentation, and continue with the Illinois licensing process.
Start your six-hour online Adult Driver Education course today.
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education (Illinois Secretary of State)
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education FAQs (Illinois Secretary of State)
- Illinois Compiled Statutes, Adult Driver Education (Illinois General Assembly)
- City of Batavia Comprehensive Plan, Transportation and Circulation (Batavia, IL)
- City of Batavia Street and Sidewalk Improvements (Batavia, IL)
- City of Batavia traffic alerts (Batavia, IL)
- Illinois Secretary of State Facility Locations (Illinois Secretary of State)