As a former Illinois driving instructor, I thought I would take the time to create these Illinois Adult Drivers Ed reviews and also explain the best way to obtain your drivers license in Illinois if you are 18 to 20 years old.
As an industry insider, I feel I need to warn you about a few things before you get started. I’ll also go over which online drivers ed course you should sign up for in Illinois. So, let’s get started!
Want The FAST Answer? This Is The Best Illinois Approved Online Drivers Ed Course
Taking Your Illinois Adult Drivers Ed Course Online
In the state of Illinois, you can take an expedited adult drivers ed course if you are between the ages of 18 to 20. But wait… there’s more!
New drivers in Illinois who are under the age of 18 must take a classroom-based online drivers ed course. However, for those of you who waited, you can actually complete your drivers education curriculum ONLINE in just 6 hours! How cool is that? With that said, you must be VERY careful about which Illinois adult drivers ed course you sign up for online.
WARNING: The below online drivers ed courses are the ONLY courses currently approved in Illinois for adult drivers ed.
Illinois Adult Drivers Ed Certified Provider Listing
Our top pick for taking Illinois adult drivers ed online is Aceable. However, you may check out a full list of every classroom and online adult drivers ed school in Illinois below:
Skiles Driving School, Inc. | https://skilesdrivingschool.com | Classroom |
Top Driver | https://www.topdriver.com/illinois-adult6hr. | Classroom Online |
iDRIVE ACADEMY, iNC | https://www.iDriveAcademy.org | Classroom |
Ride Chicago, Inc | https://Ridechicagodrivingschool.com | Classroom |
Allegretti’s Driving School | https://allegrettisdrivingacademy.com/ | Classroom |
EZ Way DBA Licencia de Conducir Illinois | https://ezwaydrivingclass.com/ | Classroom |
National Safety Council | https://www.nscdefensivedriving.com/ilade | Online |
Asia Driving School | https://www.asiadrivingschool.com/ | Classroom |
I Can Pass Driving School LLC | https://www.icanpassdrivingschool.com/ | Classroom Online |
Excel Driving School | https://www.exceldrivingschool.com | Classroom |
I Drive Safely, LLC | https://www.idrivesafely.com/drivers-ed/illinois/adult-drivers-ed/ | Online |
Online Traffic Education | https://www.onlinetrafficeducation.com/Illinois-Adult-Driver-Education.php | Online |
Warsaw Driving School | https://www.warsawdriving.com | Classroom |
Balda Driving School | https://baldadriving.com/ | Classroom |
Quincy Driving School | https://quincydrivingschool.com | Classroom |
Master Driving School | https://www.masterdrivingschoolchicago.com | Classroom |
Go Slow Driving School | https://www.goslowdrivingschool.com | Classroom |
Ruiz Driving School | Classroom | |
Classica Driving School | Classroom | |
A Responsible Driver | https://www.bearesponsibledriver.com | Classroom |
City Xpress Driving | https://www.cityxpressdriving.com | Classroom |
Drivers Education of America | https://www.driverseducationofamerica.com/illinois/english-and-spanish/ | Online |
Expert Driving School | https://www.expertdriving.com/ | Classroom |
Entourage Driving School | https://www.entouragedrivingschool.com/ | Classroom |
Drive Safe Driving School | Classroom | |
Auto Metro Driving School | https://www.metrodriving.com/ | Classroom |
Azad Driving School | https://www.azaddriving.com | Classroom |
New Concept Driving School LLC | https://www.newconceptds.com | Classroom |
Ideal Driving School | Classroom | |
Unlimited Driving School | Classroom | |
Drive Home Safe Driving School | https://www.drivehomesafe.net | Classroom |
Lockport #1 Driving School | https://lockportdrivingschool.com | Classroom |
Citizen’s Driving School | https://www.citizensdrivingschool.com | Classroom |
IllinoisAdultDriverEd.com | https://illinoisadultdriversed.com | Online |
Drivers Ed.com | https://driversed.com/illinois/adult-drivers-ed.aspx | Online |
A-Abbott Driving School, Inc | https://www.abbottdrivingschool.com/ | Classroom |
Howard Driving School | https://www.howarddrivingschool.org | Classroom |
Wolf Driving School, Inc | https://www.wolfcdl.com | Classroom |
Drive Now Driving School | https://drivenowdrivingschool.com/ | Classroom |
Viking Driving School | https://www.vikingdrivingschool.com | Classroom |
Palos Driving School Corp | https://www.palosdrivingschool.com | Classroom |
Brake-Thru Driving School | https://www.brakethrudriving.com | Classroom |
Adams School of Driving | https://www.adamsdrivingschool.com | Classroom Online |
Danville Area Community | https://www.dacc.edu | Classroom |
Advanced Driving School, Inc. | https://www.advanceddrivingschool.org/adult-online-course/ | Classroom Online |
Juarez Driving School | https://juarezcdltraining.com/ | Classroom |
American Defensive Driving School | https://www.beasafedriver.com | Classroom |
Chicago Driving School | Classroom | |
Nova Driving School | https://www.novadriving.com/ | Classroom Online |
Acapulco Driving School | Classroom | |
Aceable Drivers Ed | https://www.aceable.com/drivers-ed/illinois/ | Online |
Illinois Driving School | https://illinoisdriversed.com | Classroom |
REDD Driving School | https://www.redddrivingschool.com | Classroom |
Grand Avenue Drive | https://www.grandavenuedrive.com | Classroom |
Northwestern Driving | https://www.NWDSONLINE.COM | Classroom Online |
American Safety Council | https://www.firsttimedriver.com/Illinois-adult | Online |
Imperial Driving School | Classroom | |
Polsport Driving School | https://www.autopolsport.com/ | Classroom |
In-Person or Online Adult Drivers Ed: Which is Better?
The main difference between these two is that while in-person classes require you to physically show up to a classroom, online classes take place entirely on the internet.
With an online class, you can complete the course on your own time. This makes your schedule more flexible. Online courses are, most often than not, accessible using multiple devices, too, so you can finish your lessons wherever you are.
In in-person classes, you may find it hard to make it to set schedules, especially if you already have a job. Even if you make it, driver’s ed courses tend to be long and are too technical. If you are already tired after a day’s work, you may end up dozing off in class or not be able to take everything in.
Meanwhile, in-person classes offer more immediate access to educational material because of personal interaction. If you have a question, your instructor can easily provide the answer in real-time, or you can ask your classmate to clarify an unclear concept.
This kind of interaction will be available online as well – if you choose the Livestream classes version. There will be set schedules, but at least you can access them comfortably at home, or wherever is most comfortable for you.
Finally, online classes are more affordable. It’s a better option for families working around low-income budgets. They are also more flexible with payment options. Online driving schools often offer discount promos that are protected with a money-back guarantee (at least most reputable schools offer this).
What Are The BEST Illinois Adult Drivers Ed Courses Online?
To make things easier, the above courses are listed in order of my favorite to least favorite. Of course, everyone will have their own opinions about any drivers ed course, but as you can see, customer reviews on Yelp tend to agree with my assessments. I’ve personally gone through all of the above drivers ed programs and know each of them (including who runs them) VERY well.
Let me just give it to you straight… The Aceable Adult Drivers Ed program is hands down the best without any shred of a doubt.
What’s rather interesting is the fact that Aceable is a relative newcomer on the list. They have only been in operation for a couple of years now, but they have already proven to be far and above the rest.
For starters, Aceable isn’t some website run in a guys basement (it seems weird, but that’s the reality with some of these online driving schools). This is a legit company that has received $5 Million dollars in funding over the past 2 years from investors. What have they done with that $5,000,000? They created the single best online drivers ed program in the history of online drivers ed programs.
That’s not to say the other driving schools on the list are scams or anything like that. As long as you sign up for any of the adult drivers ed courses I listed above, you’ll be good to go as they are all certified. With that said, knowing what I know, Aceable is the clear front runner and I wouldn’t consider any of the other adult drivers ed courses in Illinois.
Click here to learn more about the process you’ll go through when you sign up for the Aceable Illinois Adult Drivers Ed course online.
What Happens After Completing An Online Illinois Adult Drivers Ed Course?
In the state of Illinois, the online adult drivers ed courses are required to be a minimum of 6 hours in duration. If you sign up for a course like Aceable, you will absolutely be able to get it done in the minimum of 6 hours, but some students do prefer to study a bit more in-depth and this can cause the course to take a bit longer.
After you complete the 6-hour course, you’re all set to go take your tests at the DMV! There are no behind-the-wheel training requirements and there are no classroom requirements. If you feel like you’re ready, you can simply go into the DMV to complete your written exam and driving exam.
Your online course will help you prepare for both, but if you feel you need some additional behind-the-wheel training before taking the driving test, you can obtain a permit so you can practice with a licensed driver for a while. The choice is really up to you.
The bottom line is, if you’re between the ages of 18 to 20 in the state of Illinois, obtaining your drivers license is pretty darn easy to do.
Taking Your Illinois Adult Drivers Ed Course In A Classroom
While the vast majority of adult drivers ed students prefer to take the course online in Illinois, this isn’t a requirement. As a driving instructor, I personally believe an online curriculum is perfect for drivers education and much more effective than a classroom.
However, I also understand that some people are not technology fans while others simply learn better when they can see/listen to a real human being. So, if you fit into that category, you can check out this list of classroom-based adult drivers ed course providers in Illinois.
Illinois Adult Drivers Ed FAQ
Here are some of the more frequently asked questions I get about taking an Illinois adult drivers ed course. The process is pretty straightforward, but hopefully this will help to answer some questions you might have.
How do I know if I’m eligible to take an “adult” drivers ed course in Illinois?
Anyone who is between the ages of 18 to 20 is eligible to sign up for the expedited adult drivers ed course in the state of Illinois. Some medical issues, criminal convictions, or other factors may prohibit you from obtaining a drivers license, but if these issues do not apply to you, a 6hr online drivers ed course in Illinois will enable you to obtain your drivers license.
How long will my Illinois adult drivers education course take?
The state of Illinois requires everyone between the ages of 18 and 20 to enroll in a minimum of 6 hours of driver education training. There are no behind-the-wheel training requirements in Illinois for drivers age 18 to 20, but a driving test will be required before you can obtain your license.
What topics are covered in an Illinois adult drivers ed course?
Topics will include current traffic laws; highway signs, signals and markings; issues commonly associated with motor vehicle crashes such as poor decision-making, risk-taking, impaired driving, driver distraction including use of cell phones and text messaging, speed, failure to use a safety belt, driving at night, and failure to yield the right-of-way.
In addition, any adult drivers ed course may provide additional information.
What are the behind-the-wheel training requirements?
This is the #1 question I always receive about adult driver training in Illinois. The short answer is that there are NO behind-the-wheel training requirements in Illinois for those above 18 years of age.
Illinois law requires the six-hour course only. However, you are encouraged to have at least 50 hours of practice behind-the-wheel training, including at least 10 hours of night driving, before obtaining your Illinois driver’s license.
As with all applicants, you must still pass the behind the wheel component of the driving test when applying for your license at the Secretary of State drivers facility.
How much will all of this cost me?
Every course is free to charge whatever price they want, so prices will vary based on the provider. Most online and classroom-based courses are under $100.
How are online drivers ed courses approved in Illinois?
In order to be certified, they must submit specific information to the office, including a course curriculum, for approval.
Can I get approved to take a course that is not listed above?
NO! The only online drivers ed courses you can sign up for are listed above. If you wish to take your adult drivers ed course in a classroom setting, please refer to this list of approved providers. Do NOT sign up for a course that has not specifically been approved in the state of Illinois for adult driver education.
Does it make a difference whether I take the course in a classroom or online?
No. While I recommend taking the course online, some people simply learn better in a classroom environment. All other requirements, regardless of whether you take your course online or in a classroom, will be identical.
What type of testing do I need to go through?
At the end of your adult drivers ed course, you will be required to pass a “final exam”. You must then go to the DMV and take a written as well as a driving exam before you are eligible to obtain your license.
What should I expect once I’ve completed the course?
You will receive an e-mail from the Secretary of State at the e-mail address you provided to your course provider. This e-mail will include a link where you can download your Certificate of Completion.
Once you have printed the certificate, bring your certificate to the nearest Secretary of State facility with your other required identification documents and complete the remaining requirements.
What documents do I need to bring to the DMV?
For a list of all the documentation you’ll need to bring, check out this page.