Kankakee County Adult Driver Education

Kankakee County, Illinois Adult Driver Education

Complete the six-hour online Adult Driver Education course in Kankakee County for eligible first-time Illinois applicants ages 18 to 20.

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Online Adult Driver Education in Kankakee County, Illinois

If you are 18, 19, or 20 and applying for an Illinois driver's license for the first time, you may need to complete Illinois' six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement before obtaining your license. Illinois Secretary of State rules require the course when an applicant is 18 through 20, is applying for an Illinois license for the first time, and has never completed an approved driver education course through high school or a commercial driving school. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Eligible applicants in Kankakee County can complete the classroom portion online through a certified provider. This can be convenient whether you live in Kankakee, Momence, Bradley, Bourbonnais, Manteno, or another community in the county.

After successfully completing the course and its provider-administered final test, you receive access to your official completion certificate. You should download and print it, then take it with your required identification documents to an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility. You must still complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations. Completing the course does not itself issue a driver's license or grant driving privileges. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?

Illinois uses a three-part eligibility test. You generally must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course ifall threestatements apply to you:

You are18, 19, or 20 years old.

You are applying for anIllinois driver's license for the first time.

You havenever completed an approved driver education coursethrough a high school or commercial driving school.

If all three conditions apply, Illinois requires successful completion of the six-hour course before you obtain your Illinois driver's license. (Illinois Secretary of State)

The Secretary of State also states that courses completed through providers that are not certified by the Secretary of State will not be accepted for this requirement. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Who Does Not Need This Course?

The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course is not a universal requirement for every Illinois driver.

You generally do not need this particular course if:

You areunder 18and are following Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements.

You are21 or older, unless another specific licensing circumstance creates a separate requirement.

You havepreviously been licensedand therefore are not a first-time Illinois driver license applicant.

You successfully completed an approved driver education program through high school or a commercial driving school and can provide acceptable proof.

You have a valid out-of-state driver's license and are moving to Illinois. The Secretary of State says you surrender the out-of-state license and complete the applicable Illinois requirements rather than taking the Adult Driver Education Course solely to transfer the license. (Illinois Secretary of State)

If you completed driver education in another state while in high school, the Secretary of State says acceptable proof, such as a certified high school transcript showing successful completion, can allow you to apply without taking the Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Illinois Online Course Rules

The Illinois Adult Driver Education Course must be provided by a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State. Certified providers may offer the course in a classroom, online, or both, depending on the provider's certification. (Illinois Secretary of State)

The course isat least six hoursin length. The Secretary of State identifies subjects including:

Current Illinois traffic laws

Highway signs, signals, and pavement markings

Poor decision-making and risk taking

Impaired driving

Driver distraction, including cell phones and texting

Speed-related risks

Safety-belt use

Night driving

Failure to yield the right of way

Other traffic-safety issues associated with motor vehicle crashes (Illinois Secretary of State)

The course may be completed online when the selected provider is certified to offer an online Adult Driver Education program. (Illinois Secretary of State)

At the end of the course, the provider administers a written final test. You must successfully complete that test as part of completing the Adult Driver Education Course. The provider's final test is separate from the testing you later complete at the Secretary of State facility. (Illinois Secretary of State)

After successful completion, the Secretary of State sends an email containing a link to download the Certificate of Completion. (Illinois Secretary of State)

What the Course Includes and Does Not Include

The course includes

At least six hours of classroom or online instruction

Illinois traffic-safety education

Traffic laws, signs, signals, and markings

Information about impaired and distracted driving

Instruction concerning speed, safety belts, nighttime driving, risk taking, and right-of-way

A provider-administered written final test

Access to an official Certificate of Completion after successful completion (Illinois Secretary of State)

The course does not include

Behind-the-wheel instruction

In-car driving lessons

A road test

The Secretary of State written examination

Automatic issuance of an Illinois driver's license

Illinois encourages applicants to obtain substantial supervised driving practice before licensing. The Secretary of State recommendsat least 50 hours of practice driving, including at least 10 hours at night. These practice hours are a recommendation and arenot a required component of this six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. You must still successfully complete the applicable road test when applying for your license. (Illinois Secretary of State)

County Licensing Process

For an eligible first-time applicant in Kankakee County, the general process is:

Confirm that you meet the 18-to-20 eligibility requirements.You must be a first-time Illinois driver's license applicant and must not have previously completed qualifying driver education.

Choose a Secretary of State-certified Adult Driver Education provider.The Secretary of State maintains a current provider listing. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)

Complete the six-hour course onlineif you select a certified online provider.

Complete the provider's final written test.This test verifies successful completion of the course.

Receive your Certificate of Completion.Download and print the certificate when it becomes available. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Gather your required identification documents.The Secretary of State's current document requirements identify acceptable documents for signature, date of birth, Social Security number, residency, and other licensing requirements. Photocopies are not accepted. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Schedule or confirm your Driver Services visit.The Bradley facility serving Kankakee County currently appears on the Secretary of State's statewide facility list as an appointment-required Driver Services location. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Bring your certificate and required documents to the facility.

Complete the applicable Secretary of State examinations, including vision, written, and behind-the-wheel road testing. Your course final test does not replace the Secretary of State written examination. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Meet all remaining licensing requirements.Course completion does not guarantee that an Illinois driver's license will be issued.

Driving in Kankakee County

Kankakee County combines a regional urban center with smaller communities, agricultural areas, major highways, railroad infrastructure, and the Kankakee River. New drivers may move quickly from city streets in Kankakee to rural county roads or higher-speed state and interstate routes.

The county's transportation network includes Interstate 57, U.S. 45/52, Illinois Routes 1, 17, 50, 113, 114, and 115, along with numerous county highways. IDOT's Kankakee-area transportation maps show these routes serving Kankakee, Bradley, Bourbonnais, Manteno, Momence, and surrounding communities. (IDOT)

Agricultural traffic is an important consideration outside the more developed communities. Drivers should expect slower-moving farm equipment on rural roads, particularly during planting and harvest periods. Give large agricultural vehicles plenty of following distance and avoid passing unless you have a clear, legal opportunity.

The Kankakee River also affects the county's road environment. I-57 crosses the Kankakee River, and Momence has multiple roads and bridges associated with the river. (Illinois Department of Transportation)

Winter weather can make rural and secondary roads more challenging because snow, ice, reduced visibility, and drifting can affect stopping distance and vehicle control. Drivers should reduce speed when conditions deteriorate rather than relying on the posted speed limit as a safe speed for every condition.

Railroad infrastructure is also part of the local driving environment. IDOT project documentation identifies railroad crossings and infrastructure along the I-57 corridor, while local maps in Bradley and Momence show railroad lines within developed areas. (IDOT)

Major Roads and Highways

Interstate 57

I-57is the county's principal interstate corridor. It provides the major north-south connection through Kankakee County and links the area with the Chicago region and communities farther south. IDOT's Kankakee-area project information identifies several I-57 interchanges and major reconstruction projects, including work at U.S. 45/52, Manteno, and Illinois Route 17. (IDOT)

For new drivers, entering I-57 requires attention to acceleration, merging, lane selection, following distance, and traffic moving at substantially higher speeds than on local streets.

U.S. Route 45/52

U.S. 45/52 provides an important north-south arterial through the Kankakee, Bradley, and Bourbonnais area. It connects with I-57 and serves commercial and regional traffic. Local Bradley planning documents identify the U.S. 45/52 corridor alongside Route 50 and I-57 as a major part of the community's transportation and commercial network. (Village of Bradley)

Illinois Route 17

Illinois Route 17 crosses the county and provides an important east-west connection, including access toward Momence and the Indiana state line. IDOT identifies Route 17 projects at Skyline Road, I-57, and the West Branch of Horse Creek. (IDOT)

Illinois Route 50

Route 50 is particularly important in the Bradley and Bourbonnais area. Bradley's official planning documents describe the Kinzie Avenue/Route 50 corridor as a major commercial corridor and identify its I-57 interchange as an important regional access point. (Village of Bradley)

Illinois Route 1

Illinois Route 1 serves the eastern portion of Kankakee County and is a principal north-south route through Momence. The City of Momence identifies historic Dixie Highway, now Illinois Route 1, as the city's main north-south thoroughfare. (City of Momence)

Illinois Routes 113, 114 and 115

These routes serve different parts of the county's rural and community transportation network. IDOT's Kankakee-area project map identifies Route 113 improvements, Route 114 extending through Momence toward the Indiana state line, and Route 115 between U.S. 45/52 and Jeffrey Street. (IDOT)

Primary Local Driving Topic: Interstate 57 Merging and Interchange Traffic

For a new driver in Kankakee County,I-57 merging and interchange trafficis an especially important skill.

The interstate connects with several major local routes, including U.S. 45/52, Illinois Route 17, and the Manteno area. IDOT has identified reconstruction projects at multiple I-57 interchanges in the Kankakee area, which can change traffic patterns and require drivers to pay close attention to signs, lane markings and temporary traffic controls. (IDOT)

When entering I-57:

Build speed on the entrance ramp so you can merge smoothly.

Check mirrors and blind spots before moving into another lane.

Do not stop at the end of an acceleration lane unless traffic conditions make stopping unavoidable.

Leave enough space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

Watch for drivers entering from ramps and drivers changing lanes near interchanges.

Begin lane changes early when approaching your intended exit.

Follow temporary signs and lane markings when construction is present.

Avoid distracted driving while navigating an unfamiliar interchange.

A new driver who is comfortable on local streets should still practice interstate merging in a controlled, supervised setting before relying on I-57 for regular travel.

Additional Driving or Safety Topic: Kankakee River and Bridge Conditions

The Kankakee River is an important geographic feature of the county, particularly around Kankakee and Momence. I-57 crosses the river, while Momence has roads and bridges connecting areas around the river and its channels. (Illinois Department of Transportation)

Bridge approaches can require extra attention because drivers may encounter changes in visibility, lane alignment, traffic flow, or pavement conditions. During periods of heavy rain or flooding, drivers should never attempt to drive through water covering a roadway.

When driving near the river:

Reduce speed when pavement is wet.

Increase following distance during heavy rain.

Watch for standing water and temporary closures.

Never drive around barricades.

Be especially cautious on bridge approaches during winter weather.

Follow official detour and closure signs rather than relying on a familiar route.

Take the Course Online Throughout Kankakee County

Eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicants who live anywhere in Kankakee County can complete the classroom portion of the Adult Driver Education requirement online when they select a provider certified for online instruction.

That means an eligible student can complete the required course from home in Kankakee, Momence, Bradley, Bourbonnais, Manteno, or another community in the county without attending a physical classroom.

The online course doesnoteliminate the need to visit the Secretary of State. After completing the course, receiving the certificate, and gathering the required identification documents, you still need to complete the applicable licensing process at a Driver Services facility. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Important Kankakee County Communities

Kankakee

Kankakee is the county seat and the county's principal urban center. The community sits along the Kankakee River and is served by major routes including I-57, U.S. 45/52 and Illinois Route 17. Drivers may encounter a mixture of urban streets, commercial traffic, river crossings, railroad infrastructure and connections to higher-speed regional roads. IDOT identifies multiple projects in and around the Kankakee transportation network. (IDOT)

Momence

Momence is a city in eastern Kankakee County along the Kankakee River. The city identifies historic Dixie Highway, Illinois Route 1, as its main north-south thoroughfare. Its local road network also includes Illinois Route 17 and Illinois Route 114, with bridges and roads around the river. (City of Momence)

Bradley

Bradley is closely connected to I-57 and Illinois Route 50. Its official planning materials identify the Route 50 and Kinzie Avenue corridor as a major commercial area and describe the I-57 interchange as an important regional access point. New drivers should be prepared for commercial, commuter and interchange traffic in this area. (Village of Bradley)

Bourbonnais

Bourbonnais shares the major transportation network around I-57, Illinois Route 50 and U.S. 45/52. Local Bradley planning documents and maps show these routes connecting the neighboring communities and serving commercial, residential and employment areas. (Village of Bradley)

Manteno

Manteno is located along the I-57 corridor in northern Kankakee County. IDOT has identified I-57 interchange reconstruction in Manteno as part of its Kankakee-area transportation program. Drivers traveling through the community should watch for changing lane patterns and construction controls when projects are active. (IDOT)

Grant Park

Grant Park is a rural community in northern Kankakee County. Its location within the county's agricultural landscape means drivers may encounter farm equipment and slower-moving vehicles on local roads, particularly outside the more developed areas. IDOT's Kankakee-area map places Grant Park within the county's broader highway network. (IDOT)

Illinois Secretary of State Facilities

Bradley Driver Services Facility

Bradley Driver Services Facility

Address:111 Village Square Shopping Plaza, Bradley, IL 60915Appointment status:The current Illinois Secretary of State facility list identifies Bradley asAppointment Required for Driver Services. (Illinois Secretary of State)

This is the primary Secretary of State Driver Services facility serving Kankakee County. The current statewide list identifies it as a Driver Services location, rather than a renewal-only kiosk. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Because services, testing availability and scheduling policies can change, confirm the current requirements before traveling. In particular, verify whether the facility is offering the particular vision, written and road-testing services you need and whether an appointment is required for your transaction.

Reasonable alternatives

Applicants who need another facility can also consider:

Joliet Driver Services Facility, 201 S. Joyce Road, Joliet, IL 60435. The statewide facility list currently identifies Joliet as an appointment-required Driver Services location. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Morris Driver Services Facility, 425 East Route 6, Morris, IL 60450. The statewide facility list currently identifies Morris as appointment required for Driver Services. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Before traveling to Bradley, Joliet, Morris, or another location, use the official Illinois Secretary of State facility information to confirm current hours, services, road-testing availability and appointment requirements. The Secretary of State's website provides a Facility Finder for Driver Services facilities and self-service locations. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Kankakee County?

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, Illinois requires the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Can I take Adult Driver Education online in Kankakee County?

Yes. The Secretary of State permits eligible applicants to take an online course when the provider is certified to offer online Adult Driver Education. (Illinois Secretary of State)

How long is the Illinois Adult Driver Education Course?

The course is at least six hours long. Individual providers may offer a course that takes longer. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Does the Kankakee County online course include driving lessons?

No. The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course is classroom or online instruction. It does not include or require behind-the-wheel training as part of the course. (Illinois Secretary of State)

How much supervised driving should I practice?

Illinois encourages adult applicants to obtain at least50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. These are recommended practice hours, not hours included in or required as part of the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Is there a final test in the online course?

Yes. The provider administers a written test at the end of the Adult Driver Education Course, and you must successfully complete it. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Does the course final test replace the Secretary of State written test?

No. You must still complete the applicable Secretary of State testing when applying for your driver's license. This includes the required written examination, as well as vision and road testing where applicable. (Illinois Secretary of State)

What happens after I finish the course?

After successful completion, you receive access to an official Certificate of Completion. Download and print it, then take it with your required identification documents to a Secretary of State Driver Services facility. (Illinois Secretary of State)

What documents should I bring to the Secretary of State?

You must bring the required identification documents for your application. Illinois groups acceptable documents by categories such as written signature, date of birth, Social Security number and residency. The Secretary of State states that photocopies are not accepted. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Do I need an appointment at the Bradley facility?

The current Secretary of State statewide facility list identifies the Bradley Driver Services facility asAppointment Required for Driver Services. Confirm the current appointment process before traveling. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Where is the Driver Services facility serving Kankakee County?

The Bradley Driver Services facility is at111 Village Square Shopping Plaza, Bradley, IL 60915. It is the current Driver Services facility listed in Kankakee County. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Can I complete the course in Momence instead of Kankakee?

Yes. The online portion is not tied to a particular Kankakee County community. An eligible student in Momence or elsewhere in the county can complete the classroom portion online through a certified provider. The licensing portion still requires a visit to a Secretary of State facility.

Do applicants under 18 take this six-hour course?

Applicants under 18 follow Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements. The six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement applies specifically to qualifying first-time applicants ages 18 through 20. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Do applicants age 21 or older need Adult Driver Education?

Most applicants age 21 or older do not fall under this specific six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement. The requirement is directed at qualifying first-time Illinois driver's license applicants ages 18, 19 and 20. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Does completing Adult Driver Education give me a license?

No. Course completion gives you the required course completion documentation. You must still meet the Secretary of State's licensing requirements and successfully complete the applicable examinations. (Illinois Secretary of State)

Start Your Kankakee County Adult Driver Education Course Online

If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant age 18, 19, or 20 in Kankakee County, you can complete the required six-hour Adult Driver Education course online through a Secretary of State-certified provider.

Complete the course, successfully pass the provider's final test, download and print your completion certificate, and then continue with the Illinois Secretary of State licensing process.

Cities and Towns in Kankakee County, Illinois

Kankakee, city and county seat

Momence, city

The Illinois State Archives Name Index identifies Kankakee and Momence as the only municipalities in Kankakee County withcityform of government. It identifies the other incorporated communities in the county, including Bourbonnais, Bradley, Manteno, Grant Park, Herscher, Essex and St. Anne, as villages. They are therefore intentionally excluded from this section. (Illinois Secretary of State Apps)

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