Homeschool students and graduates who have never had a driver’s license have a few options to obtain an IL driver’s license:
- ages 15-17 years must enroll in a state-approved driver’s education course to be eligible
- ages 18-20 years must complete a six hour Adult Driver’s Education Course to be eligible
- ages 21+ years may go directly to your local Secretary of State’s office and successfully complete mandatory tests
High School Driver’s Education
A state-approved driver’s education course can either be at your local public high school or a commercial driver training school.
Illinois school law requires that school districts teaching Grades 9 through 12 shall provide the classroom course and driving portion of driver’s education to eligible homeschooled students in the district. A student is eligible under the following conditions set forth in the School Code (Sections 27- 24.2 and 27-24.4):
• The parent or guardian of the homeschooled student must notify the local public district by April 1 of the name of the homeschooled student who wishes to take the driver’s education course during the next school year.
• The parent or guardian of the homeschooled student must provide evidence to the public school that the student has received a passing grade in at least eight courses during the previous two semesters.
Adult Driver’s Education
Effective July 1, 2014 Public Act 98-167 requires Illinois driver’s license applicants ages 18, 19, or 20, who have never previously been licensed or completed an approved driver education course, to complete a six hour Adult Driver Education Course.
The Adult Driver Education Course can only be taught by providers certified by the Secretary of State. Courses may be taught in a classroom setting or online, depending on the certification of a provider. Completion of an Adult Driver Education Course from a provider NOT LISTED, will not be accepted.
Upon successful completion of this course a certificate of completion will be provided to you and then you may visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility to complete your vision, written and road test.