Who Must Take Illinois Adult Driver Education?
You must complete the Illinois six-hour Adult Driver Education course when all of the following apply:
You are 18, 19, or 20 years old.
You are applying for an Illinois driver’s license for the first time.
You have never previously been licensed.
You have not completed an approved driver education course through a high school or commercial driving school.
The course must come from a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State. A course from an uncertified provider will not satisfy the requirement.
If you are unsure whether your licensing or driver education history makes you exempt, confirm your eligibility with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Who Does Not Need This Six-Hour Course?
You generally do not need this course if:
You are under age 18. Applicants under 18 follow Illinois’s separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing process.
You are 21 or older.
You completed an approved high-school driver education course and have acceptable proof.
You completed approved driver education through a commercial driving school.
You hold or previously held a qualifying driver’s license.
You are moving to Illinois with a valid out-of-state driver’s license.
A certified high-school transcript showing a passing driver education grade is generally acceptable proof of prior high-school driver education.
Rules for Taking the Course Online
Eligible Madison County residents may complete the course online through a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State for online delivery.
The course must provide at least six hours of instruction. Required subjects include:
Illinois traffic laws
Highway signs, signals, and pavement markings
Right-of-way rules
Distracted driving
Impaired driving
Speed and risk-taking
Safety-belt use
Night driving
Cellphone and text-messaging risks
Common causes of motor-vehicle crashes
You must pass the course provider’s final written test.
After successful completion, the provider reports your information. The Illinois Secretary of State sends an email containing a link to download your official Certificate of Completion. Print the certificate before visiting a Driver Services facility.
The course provider’s test does not replace the separate Secretary of State written test.
What the Course Includes and Does Not Include
The course includes:
At least six hours of online Adult Driver Education
Illinois traffic laws
Signs, signals, and roadway markings
Right-of-way principles
Distracted- and impaired-driving education
Speed, safety-belt, and night-driving topics
Crash-prevention principles
A provider-administered final written test
Completion reporting for eligible students
Access to the official Certificate of Completion
The course does not include:
Behind-the-wheel instruction
An instruction permit
The Secretary of State vision screening
The Secretary of State written test
The Secretary of State road test
A driver’s license
Teen driver education
Traffic-school or ticket-dismissal credit
The Illinois Secretary of State encourages applicants in this adult group to obtain at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. This is a recommendation. It is not a required component of the six-hour course.
You must still pass the road test before receiving your license.
Illinois Licensing Process After the Course
Follow these steps:
Confirm that the six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement applies to you.
Select an Illinois Secretary of State-certified provider.
Complete the six-hour online course.
Pass the provider’s final written test.
Watch for the Secretary of State email containing your certificate link.
Download and print your Certificate of Completion.
Gather the required identification documents.
Select a facility offering first-time licenses and road testing.
Schedule a Driver Services appointment.
Bring your certificate and required documents.
Complete the vision screening.
Pass the Secretary of State written test.
Pass the road test in an insured and properly equipped vehicle.
Pay the applicable fee and complete the remaining issuance requirements.
Standard Illinois driver’s license applicants generally need documents proving date of birth, Social Security number, Illinois residency, and written signature. REAL ID applications require additional documents, including two proofs of Illinois residency.
Review the Secretary of State’s current acceptable-identification checklist before your appointment.
You take the course first. You then go to an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility to complete the licensing process.
Driving in Madison County
Madison County is part of the Illinois Metro East section of the greater St. Louis region. Its road system ranges from busy interstates and industrial corridors to university streets, river communities, suburban roads, and rural highways.
A trip across the county can involve:
High-speed interstate merging
Complex interchanges
Heavy commercial-truck traffic
Mississippi River bridge crossings
Railroad crossings
Warehouse and industrial traffic
Madison County Transit buses
Pedestrians and cyclists
SIUE campus traffic
Rural agricultural equipment
Winter snow, ice, fog, and river conditions
Major Roads and Highways in Madison County
Interstate 55 and Interstate 70
I-55 and I-70 share a major corridor through parts of Madison County. They connect the Metro East with St. Louis, Springfield, and central Illinois.
Drivers should select the correct lane early and watch overhead signs carefully. Some lanes continue on one interstate while others lead toward another route or local exit.
Interstate 255
I-255 serves western Madison County and connects communities near Godfrey, Alton, Wood River, Pontoon Beach, and the industrial river corridor.
Drivers should expect commercial vehicles, interchange traffic, and speed changes near ramps.
Interstate 270
I-270 crosses the Mississippi River and serves Granite City, Pontoon Beach, Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, and nearby warehouse and residential areas.
IDOT describes this corridor as an important connection between Madison County and St. Louis County. It carries commuters, students, regional traffic, and a substantial number of commercial trucks.
U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 serves eastern Madison County, including Highland and areas near Troy. Portions of the route parallel or connect with I-70.
U.S. Route 67
U.S. Route 67 serves the Alton and Godfrey areas and crosses the Mississippi River on the Clark Bridge. Drivers should select the correct lane before entering the bridge and prepare for changes in weather and visibility near the river.
Illinois Route 3
Illinois Route 3 follows the industrial river corridor through Granite City, Madison, Venice, Hartford, Wood River, and the Alton area.
Drivers should expect trucks, industrial entrances, railroad crossings, and vehicles entering from side streets.
Illinois Route 111
Illinois Route 111 runs through Pontoon Beach and provides access to I-270, industrial properties, warehouses, and communities farther north.
Illinois Routes 143 and 157
Illinois Route 143 connects Edwardsville with Wood River and Alton. Illinois Route 157 serves Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, and areas near Collinsville.
Both routes carry commuter, student, business, and local traffic.
Primary Local Driving Topic: Interstate Interchanges and Freight Traffic
Madison County’s interstate and freight network creates its most distinctive driving conditions.
The I-270 and Illinois Route 111 interchange serves businesses, warehouses, residences, and regional traffic in the Pontoon Beach and Edwardsville area. IDOT reconstructed the former cloverleaf as a diverging-diamond interchange.
Drivers approaching an unfamiliar interchange should:
Follow pavement arrows and overhead signs.
Choose the correct lane early.
Avoid last-second lane changes.
Reduce speed to the posted ramp limit.
Watch for trucks using multiple lanes to turn.
Leave enough space for merging traffic.
Avoid stopping unless traffic conditions require it.
Commercial trucks need more room to stop and turn. Stay out of a truck’s blind spots and avoid cutting closely in front of one.
Mississippi River Bridges and Regional Traffic
Madison County includes several important connections with Missouri and the St. Louis region.
The I-270 Chain of Rocks Bridge carries traffic between Madison County and St. Louis. IDOT’s bridge-replacement planning documents identify significant traffic and truck use on this crossing.
U.S. Route 67 crosses the Mississippi River at Alton on the Clark Bridge.
When crossing a river bridge:
Select the correct lane before entering.
Avoid unnecessary lane changes.
Maintain additional following distance.
Watch for wind, rain, fog, and ice.
Do not stop except when traffic or an emergency requires it.
Expect congestion during incidents or regional commuting periods.
Industrial Roads and Railroad Crossings
Granite City, Madison, Venice, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, South Roxana, Hartford, and Wood River include industrial, warehouse, railroad, and freight activity.
Drivers should expect:
Trucks entering from industrial properties
Wide-turning vehicles
Railroad crossings
Freight trains
Uneven traffic flow near shift changes
Vehicles stopping near gated entrances
Never stop on railroad tracks. Before crossing, confirm that traffic leaves enough room to clear the rails completely.
SIUE and Edwardsville Traffic
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville adds campus traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, buses, and younger drivers to the Edwardsville area.
Near the university:
Follow campus speed limits.
Watch for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crossings.
Expect buses to stop regularly.
Check for bicycles before turning.
Allow extra time during class changes and major events.
Avoid cellphone use in areas with frequent pedestrian movement.
Madison County Transit Buses and Trails
Madison County Transit operates fixed-route buses, park-and-ride locations, and an extensive network of separated bikeways.
MCT reports maintaining more than 138 miles of interconnected bikeways. Drivers should expect cyclists where trails cross streets or connect with parks, neighborhoods, colleges, and commercial areas.
When approaching a bus:
Do not follow too closely.
Expect it to stop for passengers.
Watch for pedestrians crossing near the stop.
Do not pass when the view ahead is obstructed.
Rural and Agricultural Driving
Northern and eastern Madison County include rural roads and agricultural areas near Alhambra, Hamel, Marine, New Douglas, Grantfork, Williamson, and Worden.
When approaching farm equipment:
Reduce speed early.
Leave additional following distance.
Watch for wide turns into fields.
Pass only where passing is legal and visibility is clear.
Never pass near a hill, curve, intersection, or railroad crossing.
Online Adult Driver Education Throughout Madison County
Eligible students throughout Madison County may complete the course online. You do not need to travel to Edwardsville, Bethalto, or Granite City for classroom instruction.
The same statewide eligibility rules apply in every county municipality. Your location affects which Driver Services facility is most convenient, but it does not change the course requirement.
Important Cities and Villages
Edwardsville
Edwardsville is the Madison County seat and contains a full-service Driver Services facility. It also includes SIUE traffic, Illinois Routes 143 and 157, I-55 access, pedestrians, cyclists, and suburban development.
Granite City
Granite City includes industrial roads, railroad crossings, Illinois Route 3, I-270 access, and significant truck traffic. The city also has a full-service Driver Services facility.
Alton and Godfrey
Alton and Godfrey are served by U.S. Route 67, Illinois Route 3, and regional roads connecting with I-255. River bridges, hills, curves, and changing weather near the Mississippi require additional attention.
Collinsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, and Troy
These communities are located near major interstate corridors, including I-55, I-70, I-255, and I-270. Drivers should prepare for suburban intersections, interstate merging, and regional commuter traffic.
Bethalto, East Alton, and Wood River
These communities share a connected road network near Illinois Routes 3, 111, and 140. The Bethalto Driver Services facility is located at an East Alton mailing address.
Highland
Highland serves eastern Madison County near I-70 and U.S. Route 40. Drivers traveling toward Edwardsville or St. Louis should prepare for the transition from local streets and rural roads to interstate traffic.
Illinois Secretary of State Facilities Serving Madison County
All three facilities below currently require appointments for Driver Services transactions.
Edwardsville Driver Services Facility
1502A Troy Road Edwardsville, IL 62025 Phone: 618-656-8956
Verified services include:
First-time driver’s license issuance
First-time instruction permits
Vision screening
Non-CDL written testing
Non-CDL road testing
REAL ID services
Bethalto Driver Services Facility
20 Terminal Drive, Suite 103 East Alton, IL 62024 Phone: 618-258-0600
Although named the Bethalto facility, its official street address uses East Alton.
Verified services include:
First-time driver’s license issuance
First-time instruction permits
Vision screening
Non-CDL written testing
Non-CDL road testing
REAL ID services
Granite City Driver Services Facility
1810 Edison Avenue Granite City, IL 62040 Phone: 618-877-2451
Verified services include:
First-time driver’s license issuance
First-time instruction permits
Vision screening
Non-CDL written testing
Non-CDL road testing
REAL ID services
Road tests are generally available until 60 minutes before closing but can end earlier because of customer volume. They are not conducted after dark and may be postponed because of unsafe weather, road, or vehicle conditions.
Bring a valid insurance card for the vehicle used during testing.
Facility services, road-testing availability, appointments, and hours can change. Confirm current information with the Illinois Secretary of State before visiting.
Madison County Adult Driver Education FAQ
Who must take the Illinois six-hour Adult Driver Education course?
You must take it if you are 18, 19, or 20, applying for your first Illinois driver’s license, and have never completed an approved high-school or commercial-school driver education course.
Can I complete the course online in Madison County?
Yes. Eligible residents may complete it through a provider certified by the Illinois Secretary of State for online delivery.
Does the course serve applicants under age 18?
No. Applicants under 18 follow Illinois’s separate teen driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing process.
Do I need the course if I completed high-school driver education?
Generally, no. You must provide acceptable proof, such as a certified transcript showing a passing grade.
Does the course include behind-the-wheel instruction?
No. Behind-the-wheel instruction is not included or legally required as part of the six-hour course.
Does Illinois recommend driving practice?
Yes. The Secretary of State encourages at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including 10 hours at night. This is a recommendation.
Is there a final course test?
Yes. You must pass the provider’s final written test. It does not replace the Secretary of State written test.
How do I receive my Certificate of Completion?
After successful completion and reporting, the Illinois Secretary of State emails you a link to download the certificate.
Which Madison County facilities handle first-time applicants?
The Edwardsville, Bethalto, and Granite City facilities offer first-time license issuance, vision screening, written testing, and non-CDL road testing.
Do Madison County facilities require appointments?
Yes. The Secretary of State currently identifies all three facilities as appointment-required for Driver Services transactions.
Do I still take the vision, written, and road tests?
Yes. The online course does not replace any of these licensing tests.
Do I need the certificate for an instruction permit?
The Secretary of State states that the certificate is required when applying for the driver’s license, not when applying for an instruction permit.
Which facility should an Alton-area applicant use?
The Bethalto facility is generally the closest in-county option for many Alton, Godfrey, Bethalto, East Alton, and Wood River residents. Confirm travel distance, appointments, and services before selecting it.
Which facility is practical for southern Madison County?
The Granite City or Edwardsville facility may be practical, depending on the applicant’s exact location and available appointment times.
What local roads should a Madison County applicant practice on?
Practice should reflect expected travel. Applicants benefit from experience on city streets, suburban intersections, railroad crossings, Illinois highways, and interstates when ready for supervised high-speed driving.
Start Your Madison County Illinois Adult Driver Education Course Online
Eligible first-time license applicants ages 18 through 20 throughout Madison County may complete the certified six-hour Adult Driver Education course online.
The course does not include behind-the-wheel instruction. After completing it, print your Certificate of Completion and take it with your required documents to an Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility. You must still complete the vision, written, and road tests.
Cities and Towns in Madison County, Illinois
Alton, city
Collinsville, city
Edwardsville, city and county seat
Granite City, city
Highland, city
Madison, city
Troy, city
Venice, city
Wood River, city
Sources & Verification
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education
- Illinois Secretary of State Adult Driver Education FAQs
- Illinois Secretary of State Certified Providers
- Edwardsville Driver Services Facility
- Bethalto Driver Services Facility
- Granite City Driver Services Facility
- Illinois Secretary of State Facility List
- Illinois Secretary of State Acceptable Identification Checklist
- Illinois Rules of the Road
- IDOT I-270 and Illinois 111 Interchange Project
- IDOT I-270 Mississippi River Bridge Project
- IDOT I-270 Corridor Study
- Madison County Transit