Kendall County Adult Driver Education

Online Adult Driver Education in Kendall County, Illinois

If you are 18, 19, or 20 and applying for your first Illinois driver’s license, you may need to complete the state-required six-hour Adult Driver Education Course before applying for your license. The Illinois Secretary of State requires the course when all three conditions apply: you are 18 through 20, you are applying for an Illinois driver’s license for the first time, and you have never completed an approved driver education course through a high school or commercial driving school.

Eligible applicants in Kendall County can complete the classroom portion online through a Secretary of State-certified online provider. That makes the course available to students in communities such as Yorkville, Plano, Oswego, Newark, Millington, and the surrounding Kendall County area.

After successfully completing the course and final test, you receive access to your Certificate of Completion. You should download and print the certificate, then take it and the required identification documents to an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility. You must still complete the applicable vision, written, and behind-the-wheel road examinations. Completing the Adult Driver Education course does not by itself issue a driver's license or grant driving privileges.

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Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?

The Illinois Secretary of State uses a three-part eligibility test.

You generally must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course if:

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 through a high school or commercial driving school.

If all three conditions apply to you, the course must be completed before you apply for your Illinois driver's license. The Secretary of State states that only courses completed through certified providers are accepted.

The requirement applies statewide, including to eligible first-time applicants who live in Kendall County.

Who Does Not Need This Course?

The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course is not required in every licensing situation.

You generally do not need this particular course if:

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

You are 21 or older, unless another specific requirement applies to your situation.

You already hold an out-of-state driver's license and are moving to Illinois. The Secretary of State says an out-of-state license holder must surrender the license and complete the applicable Illinois requirements rather than taking the Adult Driver Education Course solely to transfer the license.

You previously completed an approved high school driver education course and can provide acceptable proof of completion.

You previously completed an approved commercial driver education course that satisfies the Illinois requirement.

The Secretary of State specifically states that applicants who completed qualifying high school driver education may apply without taking the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course when they provide acceptable proof, such as a certified transcript.

Applicants under 18 follow a different licensing process involving Illinois' teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements.

Illinois Online Course Rules

Illinois requires the Adult Driver Education Course to be at least six hours long. It may be delivered in a classroom or online, depending on the provider's certification. The provider must be certified by the Illinois Secretary of State.

The course addresses traffic safety subjects such as:

Current traffic laws

Highway signs, signals, and pavement markings

Poor decision-making and risk taking

Impaired driving

Driver distraction, including cell phone and text-message use

Speed

Safety belt use

Night driving

Failure to yield the right-of-way

Other issues associated with motor vehicle crashes

An online course is still a state-required Adult Driver Education course. Online delivery does not eliminate the other licensing requirements that must be completed through the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State's current provider listing identifies IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com as an online Adult Driver Education provider.

What the Course Includes and Does Not Include

The course includes

At least six hours of classroom or online Adult Driver Education instruction

Illinois traffic safety education

Instruction covering traffic laws, signs, signals, markings, and common crash-related risks

A provider-administered final written test

A Certificate of Completion after successful completion

The Secretary of State requires a written test at the end of the Adult Driver Education Course.

The course does not include

Behind-the-wheel driving instruction

A substitute for the Secretary of State written examination

A substitute for the Secretary of State road examination

Automatic issuance of an Illinois driver's license

Automatic authorization to drive

Illinois encourages applicants to complete at least50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before obtaining a driver's license. These are recommended practice hours and are not a required component of the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course itself. Applicants must still pass the behind-the-wheel portion of the Secretary of State licensing examination.

Kendall County Licensing Process

For an eligible first-time applicant in Kendall County, the process generally looks like this:

Confirm that you meet the three-part eligibility requirement.You must be 18, 19, or 20, be applying for an Illinois driver's license for the first time, and have no prior qualifying driver education course.

Choose a Secretary of State-certified Adult Driver Education provider.Illinois states that completion through a provider not on its certified list will not be accepted.

Complete the six-hour course.If you select a certified online provider, you may complete the classroom portion online.

Pass the provider's final written test.This test verifies successful completion of the Adult Driver Education Course. It does not replace the Secretary of State written examination.

Obtain your Certificate of Completion.The Secretary of State explains that successful students receive an email containing a link to download the certificate.

Download and print the certificate.

Prepare your required identification documents.First-time Illinois applicants must provide the appropriate documents from the Secretary of State's identification-document groups.

Visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility.Bring the printed certificate and required documents.

Complete the Secretary of State testing and licensing requirements.This includes the applicable vision, written, and behind-the-wheel road examinations.

Receive your Illinois driver's license if you satisfy all applicable requirements.Course completion alone does not guarantee issuance of a license.

Driving in Kendall County

Kendall County combines established communities, rapidly developed suburban areas, open agricultural land, county roads, state routes, and major regional transportation corridors. The county identifies Aurora, Joliet, Minooka, Montgomery, Newark, Oswego, Plainfield, Plano, Sandwich, and Yorkville as urbanized communities, although several of those municipalities extend into Kendall County from neighboring counties.

For a new driver, that means conditions can change considerably within a single trip.

The Fox River is an important geographic feature in the county. Roads in and around the Fox River corridor include Route 47, Route 34, Route 71, Fox River Drive, River Road, Millbrook Road, and Eldamain Road. Kendall County's Fox River Corridor Plan identifies several existing river crossings and describes the corridor's rolling terrain, wooded areas, recreational destinations, and mixture of arterial and local roads.

Drivers should also understand that Kendall County contains both developed suburban road networks and rural roads. Agricultural activity remains part of the county's transportation environment, particularly outside the more densely developed communities.

Weather can also change driving conditions. Kendall County maintains county highways while IDOT maintains most state highways, and municipalities and townships maintain roads under their jurisdiction. The county maintains snow-plowing routes during winter weather and advises drivers that clear and dry roadways are safer.

Flooding is another condition to respect. Current Kendall County planning documents identify flood hazards along the Fox River, Aux Sable Creek, and other tributaries. Heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, and prolonged wet conditions can affect nearby roads and infrastructure.

A new driver should therefore be prepared for:

Suburban traffic and multiple-lane intersections

Rural two-lane roads

Agricultural and commercial vehicle traffic

Regional commuter traffic

Fox River crossings

Railroad activity in parts of the county

Pedestrian activity in established downtown areas

Winter snow and ice

Heavy rain and localized flooding

Changing road conditions between municipal and county jurisdictions

Major Roads and Highways

Several major routes serve Kendall County and connect its communities with neighboring counties and the greater Chicago region.

Interstate 88

Interstate 88 provides regional east-west access between Kendall County and the broader Chicago metropolitan transportation network. Kendall County describes the county as having direct access to the I-88 and I-80 interstate corridors.

New drivers using I-88 should practice entering at an appropriate speed, checking mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes, maintaining adequate following distance, and anticipating faster traffic.

U.S. Route 34

U.S. Route 34 is a major east-west route through the county and an important connection for communities including Oswego and Yorkville. Kendall County classifies portions of U.S. Route 34 as a major arterial.

U.S. Route 30

U.S. Route 30 is another important east-west route serving the county. It connects with other major roads in the Oswego area and is part of the county's arterial road network.

Illinois Route 47

Illinois Route 47 is one of the county's principal north-south routes. IDOT has described Route 47 as a critical regional transportation link between Interstate 80 and Interstate 88.

Illinois Route 71

Illinois Route 71 provides an important north-south connection through the western portion of the county and is identified by Kendall County as a major arterial.

Illinois Route 31

Illinois Route 31 serves the Fox River and Oswego-area transportation network. Local Oswego materials identify Route 31 along with Routes 34 and 71 within the downtown and surrounding road system.

Illinois Route 25

Illinois Route 25 serves the Oswego area and connects with other regional routes near the Fox River corridor.

Illinois Route 126

Illinois Route 126 is another important east-west state route serving Kendall County and appears in the county's road functional classification system.

U.S. Route 52

U.S. Route 52 is identified by Kendall County as a major arterial route.

Primary Local Driving Topic: High-Volume Arterials and Fox River Corridor Traffic

One of the most useful local driving skills for a new Kendall County driver is learning to handle high-volume arterial roads and intersections around the Fox River communities.

Oswego provides a good example. Local transportation materials identify Route 34, Route 30, Route 71, Route 31, Route 25, Douglas Road, Orchard Road, and Wolf's Crossing Road as part of the area's transportation network. County and municipal planning documents also identify major intersections and roadway connections throughout the corridor.

The Fox River itself adds another consideration. Bridges and river crossings can concentrate traffic into relatively limited crossing points. Kendall County's Fox River Corridor Plan identifies existing vehicular river crossings and additional transportation connections that have been studied or developed.

For a new driver:

Slow down before entering unfamiliar intersections.

Look well ahead for traffic signals and lane-use signs.

Get into the correct lane before a turn becomes urgent.

Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

Leave additional following distance when traffic is heavy.

Do not assume the driver beside you will remain in the same lane.

Watch for pedestrians and cyclists near downtown areas and riverfront destinations.

Be especially attentive when crossing bridges or approaching intersections immediately beyond a bridge.

The goal is not simply to drive more slowly. It is to anticipate changes in traffic flow early enough that you do not have to make sudden decisions.

Additional Driving or Safety Topic: Winter and Wet-Weather Driving

Kendall County drivers need to be prepared for winter snow and ice as well as heavy rain.

The county maintains county highways during winter and uses designated snow-plowing routes. State highways are generally maintained by IDOT, while municipalities and townships handle roads under their own jurisdiction.

New drivers should adjust their driving when pavement becomes slippery:

Reduce speed when conditions warrant.

Increase following distance.

Brake and steer smoothly.

Clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof of the vehicle before driving.

Avoid abrupt lane changes.

Be cautious on bridges and shaded areas where ice can form.

Allow additional travel time rather than rushing.

Never drive through standing or moving floodwater when the road cannot be safely assessed.

Flooding deserves particular attention in the Fox River and creek corridors. Kendall County's current planning information identifies flood hazards associated with the Fox River, Aux Sable Creek, and other waterways.

Take the Course Online Throughout Kendall County

Eligible first-time Illinois license applicants in Kendall County can complete the classroom portion of the Adult Driver Education requirement online through a certified online provider.

That means an eligible student in Yorkville, Plano, Oswego, Newark, or another part of Kendall County does not have to choose a classroom location simply to complete the six-hour educational component when using a provider certified to offer the course online. The Illinois Secretary of State confirms that certified providers may offer the Adult Driver Education Course online.

Online completion does not eliminate the in-person portion of the licensing process. After completing the course, the student must still bring the Certificate of Completion and required identification documents to a Secretary of State Driver Services facility and complete the applicable licensing examinations.

Important County Communities

Yorkville

Yorkville is the Kendall County seat, and the county seat has remained in Yorkville since 1864. The city sits along the Fox River and is connected to major routes including U.S. Route 34, Illinois Route 47, Illinois Route 71, and Illinois Route 126.

For new drivers, Yorkville provides a mix of downtown streets, suburban roads, Fox River crossings, and higher-volume arterial routes.

Plano

Plano is a city in Kendall County with direct access to U.S. Route 34. Its location places drivers in a transition area between established city streets and the more rural roads found elsewhere in the county.

Plano is also home to the Kendall County-area Secretary of State Driver Services facility at 236 Mitchell Drive.

Oswego

Oswego is a major Fox River community with a transportation network centered around U.S. Route 34 and connections to Routes 30, 31, 71, and 25. Local transportation documents identify multiple major intersections and corridors in and around the village.

Drivers should expect a mixture of established downtown streets, residential development, commercial traffic, pedestrians, and busy arterial intersections.

Newark

Newark is a village in southern Kendall County. The area provides a useful transition for new drivers between village streets and the county's more rural road network. The Illinois State Archives identifies Newark as a village, not a city or town.

Millbrook

Millbrook is a village associated with the Fox River corridor in western Kendall County. County planning materials identify Millbrook, Millington, Fox River Drive, and surrounding roads within the corridor. Drivers in this area may encounter narrower roads, river crossings, wooded scenery, recreational traffic, and rural conditions.

Montgomery

Montgomery extends into Kendall County and is part of the Fox Valley transportation network. Kendall County identifies Montgomery among the communities within the county and describes regional transportation connections involving Route 47, Route 30, and nearby arterial roads.

Because Montgomery is principally associated with another county, it is discussed here for local driving context but is not included in the legally qualifying cities-and-towns list below.

Illinois Secretary of State Facilities

Plano Driver Services Facility

Plano236 Mitchell DrivePlano, IL 60545

The current Illinois Secretary of State facility list identifies the Plano location asAppointment Required for Driver Services.

This is the Secretary of State Driver Services facility located within Kendall County and is the most direct local facility to check first for eligible applicants who need to complete the licensing process.

Reasonable Alternatives

Aurora DMV+970 N. Lake Street, Suite BAurora, IL 60506

The current statewide facility list identifies Aurora DMV+ asAppointment Required for Driver Services.

Joliet201 S. Joyce RoadJoliet, IL 60435

The current statewide facility list identifies Joliet asAppointment Required for Driver Services.

Facility services can change. Before traveling, applicants should confirm current hours, appointment requirements, available testing services, and road-testing availability through the official Illinois Secretary of State DMV Finder and facility list.

Do not assume that every Secretary of State location provides the same services. Renewal kiosks and other limited-service locations should not be treated as substitutes for a Driver Services facility when a first-time applicant needs licensing examinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you are 18, 19, or 20, are applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and have never completed an approved driver education course, you generally must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. The requirement is statewide, including Kendall County.

Can I take Adult Drivers Ed online in Kendall County?

Yes. The Illinois Secretary of State allows the Adult Driver Education Course to be offered online when the provider has the appropriate certification. The current certified-provider list identifies IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com as an online provider.

How long is the Illinois Adult Driver Education Course?

The course is at least six hours long. Provider course length may vary, but the state requirement is a minimum six-hour Adult Driver Education Course.

Does the six-hour course include behind-the-wheel driving?

No. The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course is classroom or online instruction only. It does not include and is not required to include behind-the-wheel training.

How much driving practice does Illinois recommend?

The Secretary of State encourages applicants to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before obtaining an Illinois driver's license. These are recommended practice hours, not hours included in the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course.

Does the course have a final test?

Yes. The provider administers a written test at the end of the Adult Driver Education Course. You must successfully complete the provider's test to complete the course.

Does the provider's final test replace the Secretary of State written test?

No. The Secretary of State requires applicants to complete the applicable testing at a Driver Services facility, including the vision, written, and behind-the-wheel road examinations.

What happens after I finish the Adult Driver Education Course?

After successful completion, you receive access to your Certificate of Completion. The Secretary of State says the certificate can be downloaded through a link sent by email. Print the certificate and take it with your required identification documents to a Secretary of State Driver Services facility.

What identification documents do I need in Kendall County?

First-time Illinois applicants generally need one document from each applicable identification group. The Secretary of State's current document requirements explain the specific requirements for Groups A, B, C, and D.

Applicants should review the current official checklist before visiting a facility because acceptable documents and requirements can change.

Where can I complete the licensing process in Kendall County?

The Illinois Secretary of State currently lists the Plano Driver Services facility at 236 Mitchell Drive, Plano, Illinois 60545. The facility list currently identifies Driver Services as appointment required there.

Does the Plano facility require an appointment?

The current Secretary of State facility list identifies the Plano location asAppointment Required for Driver Services. Applicants should confirm the current requirement through the official facility information before traveling.

Can I use the Aurora or Joliet facilities instead?

The current statewide facility list identifies both Aurora DMV+ and Joliet as Driver Services locations with appointments required. Whether a particular facility offers the exact testing or service you need should be confirmed before traveling.

Do applicants under 18 take this six-hour Adult Driver Education Course?

No. Applicants under 18 follow Illinois' separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements.

Do people age 21 or older need this six-hour course?

Most applicants age 21 or older do not need the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. The specific circumstances of an individual licensing application can affect requirements, so applicants should verify their situation with the Illinois Secretary of State.

Do I need this course if I already have an out-of-state driver's license?

No. The Secretary of State states that a person moving to Illinois with an out-of-state driver's license does not need the Adult Driver Education Course solely to obtain an Illinois license. The out-of-state license must be surrendered and the applicable Illinois requirements must be completed.

Does completing the course guarantee that I will receive my license?

No. Completing the six-hour course satisfies the Adult Driver Education requirement when applicable, but you must still satisfy the Secretary of State's licensing requirements and pass the applicable examinations.

Start Your Kendall County Adult Driver Education Course Online

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

Enroll with IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com to complete the classroom portion online, take the provider's final test, and receive your Certificate of Completion after successful completion. Then follow the Illinois Secretary of State's requirements for identification, testing, and licensing at a Driver Services facility.

Cities and Towns in Kendall County, Illinois

Plano, city

Yorkville, city and county seat

Sources