Overview
Highland Park provides an interesting driving environment for a new driver. The city has major north-south transportation corridors, Metra commuter rail service, Pace bus service, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and connections to I-94. The city's transportation study identifies US 41, Metra stations, Pace service, and the city's trail network as important parts of its transportation system. (cms6.revize.com)
Who Must Take Adult Driver Education?
You generally must complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course if all three statements are true:
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 through high school or a commercial driving school.
If all three conditions apply, Illinois requires successful completion of the course before you obtain your driver's license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Your residence in Highland Park does not change the statewide eligibility rules.
Who Does Not Need This Course?
You generally do not need this specific six-hour Adult Driver Education 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 licensing requirement applies.
You previously completed an approved driver education course and can provide acceptable proof.
You are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license and are not applying as a qualifying first-time Illinois license applicant.
You have already been licensed in a manner that means you are not a first-time Illinois driver's license applicant.
Applicants under 18 follow separate Illinois instruction permit and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Illinois Online Adult Driver Education Rules
The Adult Driver Education Course must be provided by a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State. The course is at least six hours long and covers traffic safety topics such as:
Illinois traffic laws
Signs, signals, and pavement markings
Risk taking and poor decision-making
Impaired driving
Distracted driving
Cell phone and texting risks
Speed-related risks
Safety belt use
Night driving
Failure to yield
Other crash-related safety issues
The provider also administers a written final test. This provider test is separate from the written examination administered by the Secretary of State. (Illinois Secretary of State)
After successful completion, you receive your Certificate of Completion and can continue with the Illinois licensing process.
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
The course includes
At least six hours of Adult Driver Education instruction
Online instruction when completed through a certified online provider
Illinois traffic safety education
Traffic laws and roadway safety
Signs, signals, and pavement markings
Impaired and distracted driving education
Speed and nighttime driving information
Safety belt and right-of-way information
A provider-administered final test
Access to a Certificate of Completion
The course does not include
Behind-the-wheel instruction
In-car driving lessons
The Secretary of State written examination
The Secretary of State road test
The Secretary of State vision examination
Automatic issuance of a driver's license
Illinois encourages applicants to obtain at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. These are recommended practice hours and are separate from the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course.
Highland Park Licensing Process
For an eligible first-time applicant, the general process is:
Confirm that you are 18, 19, or 20 and meet the first-time applicant requirements.
Choose a Secretary of State-certified Adult Driver Education provider.
Complete the six-hour course online.
Successfully complete the provider's final test.
Obtain your Certificate of Completion.
Print or otherwise retain the certificate as instructed.
Gather the identification documents required for your licensing situation.
Schedule or confirm a Driver Services appointment.
Visit a Driver Services facility.
Complete the applicable vision, written, and road examinations.
Complete all remaining Illinois licensing requirements.
Course completion does not itself issue a driver's license. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Driving in Highland Park
Highland Park combines established residential streets with regional transportation corridors. The city is served by US 41 and has multiple Metra stations, Pace service, and pedestrian and bicycle connections. (cms6.revize.com)
For a new driver, the biggest adjustment may be moving between quiet residential streets and higher-volume roads. Drivers should expect:
Signalized intersections
Pedestrian activity
Bicycle traffic
Commuter traffic
Metra station activity
Commercial traffic
Higher traffic volumes near US 41
Winter snow and ice
Highland Park's location along the North Shore also means that a short trip can involve several different traffic environments.
Major Roads and Highways
U.S. Route 41
US 41 is one of Highland Park's principal regional corridors. It carries north-south traffic and connects Highland Park with neighboring North Shore communities and the wider Chicago metropolitan area.
New drivers should pay particular attention to lane changes, turning movements, traffic signals, and vehicles entering and leaving businesses along the corridor.
Interstate 94
I-94 is located west of the city's primary local streets and provides a major regional connection. New drivers using I-94 should be comfortable with acceleration, merging, lane selection, following distance, and higher-speed traffic before driving independently.
Green Bay Road
Green Bay Road is an important local and regional corridor. It also connects with the broader North Shore transportation network and bicycle infrastructure.
Sheridan Road
Sheridan Road provides a scenic north-south connection closer to Lake Michigan. Drivers should not assume that a scenic roadway has low-risk traffic conditions. Pedestrians, cyclists, intersections, parked vehicles, and changing visibility can all require attention.
Primary Local Driving Topic: Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Commuter Traffic
For a new Highland Park driver, sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and commuter traffic is an especially important local skill.
The city transportation study identifies transit, trails, and multimodal transportation as significant parts of Highland Park's transportation system. (cms6.revize.com)
When driving through Highland Park:
Check carefully for pedestrians at intersections and crossings.
Watch for cyclists near trails and bike routes.
Slow down near Metra stations.
Watch for passengers crossing toward trains.
Do not pass stopped vehicles when you cannot see what is ahead.
Check mirrors before turning across bicycle travel areas.
Give yourself extra stopping distance in winter weather.
Avoid distractions when navigating busy intersections.
A new driver should practice scanning well beyond the vehicle immediately ahead.
Additional Safety Topic: Railroad Crossings and Metra Traffic
Metra service is an important part of Highland Park's transportation environment. The city has multiple Metra stations, and neighboring Highwood also has Metra service. (cms6.revize.com)
Drivers should:
Slow down when approaching railroad crossings.
Look both ways for trains.
Never drive around lowered gates.
Never stop on railroad tracks.
Make sure there is enough room beyond the tracks before entering.
Watch for pedestrians near stations.
Expect vehicles to stop suddenly near crossings.
Take the Course Online in Highland Park
Eligible Highland Park residents can complete the six-hour Adult Driver Education classroom portion online through a certified provider.
The course is not tied to a particular neighborhood or facility. You can complete the online instruction from home, then continue with the required Secretary of State licensing process.
IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com provides the six-hour online Adult Driver Education course for eligible Illinois applicants.
Illinois Secretary of State Facility Options
Waukegan Driver Services Facility
617 S. Green Bay RoadWaukegan, IL 60085
The current Illinois Secretary of State facility list identifies Waukegan as an appointment-required Driver Services facility. (Illinois Secretary of State)
Deerfield Driver Services Facility
405 Lake Cook Road, A6-9Deerfield, IL 60015
Deerfield is another relevant Driver Services option in the northern Chicago suburbs. Confirm current services and appointment requirements before traveling.
Use the official Illinois Secretary of State facility information to verify current services, hours, appointments, and testing availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Adult Driver Education if I live in Highland Park?
If you are 18, 19, or 20, are applying for your first Illinois driver's license, and have never completed qualifying driver education, you generally must complete the six-hour course.
Can I take Adult Drivers Ed online in Highland Park?
Yes. Illinois allows certified providers to offer Adult Driver Education online.
How long is the course?
The course is at least six hours long.
Does the course include driving lessons?
No. The course is classroom or online education. Behind-the-wheel instruction is separate.
Does the course include the Secretary of State written test?
No. The provider's final test and the Secretary of State written examination are separate.
What happens after I finish?
You receive access to your Certificate of Completion and then continue with the Illinois licensing process.
Do I still need a road test?
Yes. Completing Adult Driver Education does not replace the applicable Secretary of State road examination.
Is Highland Park driving different from rural Illinois?
Yes. Highland Park has a more urban and suburban environment with commuter traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and major regional roads.
Are there railroad crossings in the Highland Park area?
Yes. Metra rail infrastructure is part of the local transportation environment.
Where can I complete the licensing process?
The Waukegan and Deerfield Driver Services facilities are relevant northern Lake County area options. Confirm current services before visiting.
Start Your Highland Park Adult Driver Education Course Online
If you are an eligible first-time Illinois driver's license applicant age 18, 19, or 20 in Highland Park, you can complete the required six-hour Adult Driver Education Course online through a certified provider.
Complete the course, successfully pass the provider final test, obtain your Certificate of Completion, and then continue with the Illinois Secretary of State licensing process.