Frequently asked questions

Illinois law (Public Act 96-167) requires anyone age 18, 19, or 20 who is applying for their first Illinois driver’s license—and who has not previously held a license or completed an approved driver education course—to complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education course before applying for a license.

Teen driver's ed (for drivers under 18) requires a longer program that combines classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training. Illinois Adult Driver Education, for first-time applicants ages 18–20, requires only the 6-hour classroom-equivalent course — behind-the-wheel training is not required by law for this age group, though it's still recommended before taking the road test.

No — the adult driver education course itself does not require a permit to enroll. It's an educational requirement you complete to become eligible to apply for your first Illinois driver's license.

No. Illinois law does not require behind-the-wheel instruction for adults ages 18–20 — only the 6-hour classroom-equivalent Adult Driver Education course. You will still need to pass the state's behind-the-wheel road test when you apply for your license, so practice is strongly recommended even though formal training isn't mandatory.

The Illinois Secretary of State requires a minimum of 6 hours of course time. This is a hard minimum — you must spend the required time on each lesson page before advancing, so the course cannot be completed faster regardless of how quickly you read.

You have 30 days from your registration date to complete the course. If you don't finish within that window, your account is disabled and marked as failed, and you'd need to re-register.

Yes. The course uses mobile-responsive design, so it automatically adjusts to whatever device you're using — phone, tablet, or computer.

Yes — your progress saves automatically, so you can start on your phone and pick up later on a laptop or tablet without losing your place.

Yes. Illinois requires identity verification throughout online adult driver's ed courses. During registration, you'll set up 10 personal security challenge questions that are used to confirm your identity at points throughout the course. Answering two of these incorrectly will result in a failed course.

The final exam has 20 questions, and you need a 75% score — 15 correct answers — to pass.

You're allowed one retake. If you don't pass on your second attempt, your account is disabled and marked as failed.

After you complete the course and pass the final exam, IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com submits your completion information electronically to the Illinois Secretary of State within 3 business days, unless you upgrade to Same Day Processing. The Illinois Secretary of State processes and issues the certificate, then emails instructions so you can download it.

The Illinois Secretary of State sends an email once your certificate has been processed and issued, letting you know it is ready to download.

No. IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com submits your completion information electronically to the Illinois Secretary of State. The Illinois Secretary of State processes and issues the certificate, and you bring that certificate with you when you apply for your Illinois driver’s license in person.

Once you complete the course and pass the final exam, IllinoisAdultDriversEd.com submits your completion information electronically. The Illinois Secretary of State processes and issues the certificate. You then present the certificate at an Illinois Driver Services facility when applying for your Illinois driver’s license, including the required vision screening, written exam, and road test.

No — if you're 18, 19, or 20 and applying for your first Illinois license, state law requires you to complete an approved Adult Driver Education course first, with limited exceptions (e.g., a valid out-of-state license) — contact the Illinois Secretary of State directly to confirm your specific eligibility.

You can pay online through a secure server using a credit or debit card, or by mailing a check or money order. If paying by mail, payment must be received before your completion information can be submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State.

You can request a full refund before you complete the final exam. Once the final exam is submitted, the course is considered complete and the enrollment is non-refundable. Students who fail identity verification by answering two security questions incorrectly are also not eligible for a refund.

Use the Login link, usually located at the top of the provider's homepage, then enter your username and password to access your course materials.

Most providers offer a password/username recovery option that emails your login information to the address on file — look for a “forgot password” or “retrieve login” link on the login page.

Yes. You can reach a real person by phone or live chat Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–10 p.m. PT; Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. PT. You can also email anytime and receive a response within 24 hours. No bots — every channel is human-staffed.

Your account will be disabled and marked as failed. You would need to re-register and pay again to restart the course, so it's worth budgeting time to finish within the window once you begin.