Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
You generally need the six-hour course if:
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.
Illinois requires successful completion before an eligible applicant obtains the license. (Illinois General Assembly)
Who Does Not Need This Course?
You generally do not need this specific course if you:
Are under 18 and follow the separate GDL program.
Are 21 or older.
Previously held a driver's license.
Completed qualifying driver education.
Hold a valid out-of-state driver's license and are transferring it to Illinois.
Illinois Online Course Rules
The course must be provided by a Secretary of State-certified provider. Illinois permits online instruction when the provider has the appropriate certification. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The six-hour course covers traffic laws, highway signs and markings, risk management, impaired driving, distraction, speed, seat-belt use, nighttime driving, right-of-way and other traffic-safety topics. (Illinois General Assembly)
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
Includes
At least six hours of instruction
Online classroom instruction
Illinois traffic laws
Signs, signals and markings
Risk-management instruction
Impaired and distracted-driving education
Nighttime driving and right-of-way topics
Provider final test
Completion documentation
Does Not Include
Behind-the-wheel instruction
Instructor-led driving lessons
Secretary of State written examination
Secretary of State road examination
Automatic license issuance
St. Charles Licensing Process
Confirm your eligibility.
Select a certified Adult Driver Education provider.
Complete the six-hour online course.
Pass the provider final test.
Obtain your completion documentation.
Gather required identification documents.
Check the current Secretary of State facility information.
Visit a Driver Services facility.
Complete applicable vision, written and road examinations.
Complete remaining licensing requirements.
Driving in St. Charles
St. Charles has several major arterial corridors. The city's transportation plan identifies IL Routes 25, 31 and 38 as principal arterials. Main Street, or Route 64, is another major east-west corridor, while Randall Road and Kirk Road/Dunham Road are important regional routes. (St. Charles, IL)
Current city information also emphasizes that road maintenance responsibilities are shared among the City of St. Charles, Kane County, IDOT and townships. Major roads such as Routes 64, 25, 38 and 31 and Randall Road can therefore have different maintenance jurisdictions. (St. Charles, IL)
Major Roads and Highways
Illinois Route 64
Main Street, or Route 64, is a major east-west corridor through St. Charles and the Fox River area.
Illinois Route 25
Route 25 provides a north-south connection through the Fox River Valley.
Illinois Route 31
Route 31 is another major north-south corridor serving regional traffic.
Illinois Route 38
Route 38 connects St. Charles with Geneva, Batavia and communities farther west.
Randall Road
Randall Road is an important county route carrying regional and commercial traffic.
Kirk Road and Dunham Road
Kirk Road/Dunham Road form an important north-south regional corridor.
Primary Local Driving Topic: Managing Arterial Traffic
St. Charles' major roads carry substantial regional traffic and connect local streets with neighboring communities.
The city's transportation plan identifies Randall Road and Kirk Road/Dunham Road as primary north-south travel corridors and identifies Route 64, Route 25, Route 31 and Route 38 as major arterials. (St. Charles, IL)
New drivers should:
Choose lanes early.
Check blind spots before changing lanes.
Signal well before turning.
Watch for vehicles entering from commercial driveways.
Allow additional following distance.
Look beyond the vehicle immediately ahead.
Expect congestion at major intersections.
Be careful around buses and trucks.
Follow temporary traffic controls.
Additional Safety Topic: Fox River and Pedestrian Activity
St. Charles' Fox River setting and downtown environment create regular pedestrian and bicycle activity.
Drivers should pay particular attention near downtown crossings, riverfront areas, sidewalks, trails and commercial destinations.
The city also emphasizes the importance of coordinating roadway improvements with pedestrian considerations along major corridors. (St. Charles, IL)
Take the Course Online in St. Charles
Eligible first-time applicants ages 18 to 20 can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education classroom instruction online through a certified provider.
You can complete the course from home in St. Charles and then continue the licensing process at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
Important St. Charles Roads
Illinois Route 64
Illinois Route 25
Illinois Route 31
Illinois Route 38
Randall Road
Kirk Road
Dunham Road
Main Street
Dean Street
Tyler Road
St. Charles Secretary of State Facility
St. Charles Driver Services
3851 E. Main StreetSt. Charles, IL 60174
The current Illinois Secretary of State facility directory identifies St. Charles as Appointment Required for Driver Services. Applicants should confirm current services and appointment requirements before traveling. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in St. Charles?
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 St. Charles?
Yes. The course can be completed online through a certified provider.
How long is the course?
At least six hours.
Does the course include behind-the-wheel training?
No.
Does the provider final test replace the Secretary of State written test?
No. The tests are separate.
Does St. Charles have a Driver Services facility?
Yes. The Secretary of State currently lists the St. Charles facility at 3851 E. Main Street.
Does the St. Charles facility require an appointment?
The current statewide facility directory identifies St. Charles as appointment required for Driver Services.
What roads are most important in St. Charles?
Route 64, Route 25, Route 31, Route 38, Randall Road and Kirk Road are major local and regional corridors.
What should I know about Randall Road?
Randall Road carries regional and commercial traffic and can experience congestion and frequent turning movements.
What should I know about Route 64?
Route 64 is a major east-west corridor through the city and can carry significant traffic through commercial and established areas.
Why are pedestrians important in St. Charles?
The city has a Fox River setting, established downtown and pedestrian-oriented areas that create regular interactions between motorists and people walking or cycling.
Who maintains major roads in St. Charles?
Maintenance responsibilities vary. The city, Kane County, IDOT and townships can each be responsible for different roads or portions of roads. (St. Charles, IL)
Does Illinois recommend supervised 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 process.
Start Your St. Charles Adult Driver Education Course Online
Eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicants ages 18 to 20 can complete the required six-hour Adult Driver Education classroom instruction online.
Complete the course, pass the provider final test, obtain your completion documentation and continue 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 St. Charles Transportation Plan (St. Charles, IL)
- City of St. Charles road-maintenance information (St. Charles, IL)
- Illinois Secretary of State Facility Locations (Illinois Secretary of State)
- Kankakee Cities/Towns