Overview
You have never completed an approved driver education course through a high school or commercial driving school.
The requirement applies statewide, including to eligible first-time applicants who live in Plano.
The Illinois Secretary of State states that the Adult Driver Education Course must be completed before obtaining an Illinois driver's license when these eligibility conditions apply. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Who Does Not Need This Course?
The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course does not apply to every Illinois 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 process.
You are 21 or older and do not otherwise fall under a specific Adult Driver Education requirement.
You have previously been licensed.
You previously completed an approved driver education course through a qualifying high school or commercial driving school.
You have a valid out-of-state driver's license and are transferring it to Illinois under the applicable process.
If you completed qualifying driver education in high school, you should keep acceptable proof of completion available. The Secretary of State notes that acceptable proof can include a certified high school transcript. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Illinois Online Adult Driver Education Rules
The Adult Driver Education Course is at least six hours of classroom or online instruction. The course may be offered online only by a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The course covers traffic-safety topics including:
Current traffic laws
Highway signs, signals, and pavement markings
Poor decision-making
Risk taking
Impaired driving
Driver distraction
Cell phone and text-message use
Speed
Safety-belt use
Night driving
Failure to yield the right-of-way
A provider-administered written test is required at the end of the course. This test is separate from the written examination administered by the Secretary of State when you apply for your driver's license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com is currently listed as an Online provider on the Secretary of State's certified provider listing. (Illinois Secretary of State)
The course includes
At least six hours of Adult Driver Education instruction
Online instruction through a certified online provider
Illinois traffic-law and traffic-safety education
Instruction on signs, signals, markings, and common driving risks
A provider-administered written final test
A Certificate of Completion after successful completion
The course does not include
Behind-the-wheel driving lessons
In-car instruction
The Secretary of State written examination
The Secretary of State road examination
Automatic issuance of an Illinois driver's license
Illinois encourages applicants to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before obtaining a license. These are recommended practice hours and are not part of the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course. Applicants must still pass the applicable behind-the-wheel portion of the Secretary of State examination. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Plano Adult Driver Licensing Process
For an eligible first-time applicant in Plano, the general process is:
Confirm your eligibility. You must be 18, 19, or 20, applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and without a qualifying prior driver education course.
Choose a certified provider. Verify that the provider appears on the Secretary of State's current Adult Driver Education provider list.
Complete the six-hour course online.
Pass the provider's final written test.
Obtain your Certificate of Completion.
Download and print the certificate.
Prepare your required identification documents.
Visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility.
Complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations.
Pay the applicable fees and satisfy the remaining licensing requirements.
The Secretary of State explains that course completion does not itself issue a driver's license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Driving in Plano, Illinois
Plano has a mix of city streets, commercial development, agricultural surroundings, and regional highway traffic. The city's official website describes Plano as a community with a combination of agriculture, business, and industry. (City of Plano, IL)
U.S. Route 34 is the most important major highway through the city. Plano's 2025 Comprehensive Plan includes a specific Route 34 improvement plan showing the corridor through the community, along with pedestrian and bicycle improvement opportunities. (City of Plano, IL)
The city also has a BNSF railway through the community. Plano's planning materials identify the railroad and the Amtrak station as important elements of the transportation environment. (City of Plano, IL)
A new driver in Plano should be prepared for:
U.S. Route 34 traffic
Commercial and delivery vehicles
Residential streets
Downtown traffic
Railroad crossings
Pedestrians and cyclists
Traffic entering and leaving businesses
Rural roads outside the city
Agricultural equipment
Winter snow and ice
Wet pavement and reduced visibility
The combination of a major highway and railroad infrastructure means new drivers should learn to anticipate traffic changes rather than reacting at the last moment.
U.S. Route 34
U.S. Route 34 is the primary highway through Plano. It connects Plano with Yorkville and other Kendall County communities while providing regional access toward the greater Chicago area.
Plano's current comprehensive planning materials identify Route 34 as a major corridor and include a Route 34 improvement plan focused on the city's commercial and transportation environment. (City of Plano, IL)
New drivers should practice:
Choosing the correct lane early
Watching for turning traffic
Checking blind spots
Maintaining a safe following distance
Entering and exiting commercial driveways carefully
Watching for pedestrians and cyclists
Adjusting speed for changing traffic conditions
Eldamain Road
Eldamain Road is an important county transportation corridor west and north of Plano. Kendall County identifies the Eldamain Road corridor as an important access route extending between Illinois Route 71 and the Kane County line. (Kendall County)
Drivers using Eldamain Road should expect a different environment from downtown Plano, including longer stretches of roadway and changing traffic conditions.
Fox River Drive
Fox River Drive connects communities and roads along the Fox River corridor. Kendall County identifies the route as an important county road between Newark and Plano. (Kendall County)
New drivers should be especially attentive to curves, intersections, changing sight distances, and recreational traffic.
Illinois Route 47
IL 47 is a major north-south route serving Kendall County and nearby Yorkville. The county classifies IL 47 as a major arterial. (Kendall County)
Plano drivers may use Route 47 when traveling toward Yorkville and other regional destinations.
Primary Local Driving Topic: U.S. Route 34 and Commercial Traffic
For Plano, one of the most important local driving skills is managing traffic on U.S. Route 34 and around commercial access points.
Route 34 passes through the city and is surrounded by commercial properties, intersections, driveways, and local streets. Plano's current comprehensive planning documents specifically identify the corridor for transportation and pedestrian improvements. (City of Plano, IL)
New drivers should:
Scan ahead for turning vehicles.
Expect vehicles to enter Route 34 from businesses and side streets.
Check mirrors frequently.
Avoid following large trucks too closely.
Leave extra stopping distance in heavy traffic.
Signal before turning or changing lanes.
Check blind spots before moving across lanes.
Avoid last-second lane changes.
Watch for pedestrians and cyclists near commercial areas.
Slow down when traffic patterns become congested.
The safest approach is to anticipate where traffic will enter, leave, merge, or turn rather than focusing only on the vehicle directly ahead.
Additional Safety Topic: Railroad Crossings and Downtown Traffic
Railroad infrastructure is an important part of Plano's transportation environment. The city's planning materials identify the BNSF Railway and the Amtrak station within the Route 34 corridor. (City of Plano, IL)
New drivers should:
Approach railroad crossings attentively.
Obey flashing lights and crossing gates.
Never drive around a lowered gate.
Keep enough distance from vehicles ahead to stop safely.
Watch for stopped traffic near crossings.
Avoid distractions while approaching a crossing.
Be prepared for traffic delays.
Plano's combination of highway, railroad, downtown, and commercial traffic gives new drivers an opportunity to practice several different driving skills within a relatively compact area.
Take Plano Adult Driver Education Online
Eligible first-time Illinois license applicants ages 18 through 20 who live in Plano can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education classroom requirement online through a Secretary of State-certified provider.
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com is currently listed by the Illinois Secretary of State as an online Adult Driver Education provider. (Illinois Secretary of State)
An eligible student can complete the course from home in Plano without attending a physical classroom for the six-hour educational component.
Online completion does not eliminate the in-person licensing requirements. After completing the course and provider final test, the student must obtain the Certificate of Completion, prepare the required identification documents, and visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility for the applicable licensing process.
Plano Driver Services
Address: 236 Mitchell Drive, Plano, IL 60545
The Illinois Secretary of State currently lists the Plano location as a Driver Services facility and identifies it as Appointment Required for Driver Services. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Before traveling, applicants should confirm the current facility information, available testing services, hours, and appointment requirements through the official Secretary of State facility information.
A first-time applicant should not assume that every Secretary of State location provides the same services.
Driving Lessons and Behind-the-Wheel Training
The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course does not include behind-the-wheel instruction. Illinois separately licenses and regulates commercial driver training schools that provide driving instruction and related services. (Illinois Secretary of State)
If you need behind-the-wheel training in or near Plano, verify that the school and instructor are properly licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State before paying for instruction.
The online Adult Driver Education course and behind-the-wheel training are separate parts of the overall licensing process.
Plano Illinois Adult Driver Education FAQ
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Plano?
You generally need the course 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. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Can I take Plano Adult Driver Education online?
Yes. Eligible applicants can complete the course online through a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State. (Illinois Secretary of State)
How long is the Adult Driver Education Course?
The course is at least six hours long. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does the course include driving lessons?
No. The six-hour course consists of classroom or online instruction. It does not include behind-the-wheel training. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Is there a final test?
Yes. The provider administers a written test at the end of the course. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Does the provider final test replace the Illinois written test?
No. The provider's final test is separate from the Secretary of State written examination.
How much driving practice does Illinois recommend?
Illinois encourages at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before obtaining a license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Where does a Plano applicant go for Driver Services?
The Plano Driver Services facility is located at 236 Mitchell Drive, Plano, IL 60545. The current statewide facility list identifies Driver Services as appointment required. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Do I need an appointment at Plano Driver Services?
The current Secretary of State facility list identifies Plano as Appointment Required for Driver Services. Confirm the current information before traveling. (Illinois Secretary of State)
What should I bring to Driver Services?
You should bring your printed Adult Driver Education Certificate of Completion and the identification documents required for your driver's license application.
Can I take this course if I am under 18?
The six-hour Adult Driver Education Course is for the applicable first-time applicants ages 18 through 20. Younger applicants follow Illinois' teen licensing process.
Do applicants age 21 or older need the course?
Most applicants age 21 or older do not fall under this specific 18-to-20 Adult Driver Education requirement. Other licensing requirements may apply.
Does completing the course guarantee my license?
No. You must still satisfy all applicable Secretary of State requirements and pass the required examinations.
Does Plano Adult Driver Education include behind-the-wheel training?
No. The online Adult Driver Education course is the six-hour classroom component. Behind-the-wheel training, if needed, is separate.
Start Your Plano Adult Driver Education Course Online
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant age 18, 19, or 20 in Plano, you can complete the required six-hour Adult Driver Education Course online through IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com.
Complete the course, pass the provider's final written test, download and print your Certificate of Completion, and then prepare for your Secretary of State licensing visit.
Start your six-hour online Adult Driver Education course today.