Illinois’ Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program requires drivers ages 15-20 to work
their way to full driving privileges. There are three progressive stages beginning at
age 15 when a young driver obtains his/her learner’s permit. Young drivers must earn
the right to move from one phase to the next based on their driving behavior. Each
phase of the GDL process sets forth specific guidelines for teen drivers operating a
motor vehicle.
Permit Phase — Drivers Age 15
During the permit phase, the applicant must be at least 15 years old to be eligible to begin the process. He or she should also be enrolled in an approved driver education course, and have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Once the applicant passes the vision and written exam, the permit must be held for a minimum of nine months and a maximum of two years.
The following restrictions apply:
- Nighttime driving restrictions — Sun.-Thurs., 10 p.m.-6 a.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.-6
a.m. (local curfews may differ). - Permit must be held for a minimum of nine months.
- Must practice driving a minimum of 50 hours, including 10 hours at night, supervised by a parent or adult age 21 or older with a valid driver’s license.
- Must not acquire any driving or underage alcohol convictions or court supervisions during the nine-month permit phase.
- Number of passengers limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety
belts in the back seat. - All occupants must wear safety belts.
- Wireless/cellphone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except
in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, healthcare
provider or emergency services agency. - Texting while driving is prohibited.
Sanctions
- To obtain court supervision for a traffic violation, a driver must appear in court with a parent/legal guardian and also must attend traffic safety school. Limit one court supervision for serious driving offenses.
- A moving violation conviction results in a nine-month waiting period before applying for a driver’s license.
- Not eligible for any hardship permit.
- Anyone caught driving without a permit is ineligible to obtain a driver’s license until age 18.
- Any person under age 18 who has unresolved traffic citations will be denied the issuance of a driver’s license.
Initial Licensing Phase — Drivers Ages 16-17
After a parent or guardian has certified the completion of the minimum practice hours with 9 months passed, permit holders will become eligible to apply for the Initial Licensing Phase.
This phase requires the completion of a state-approved driver education course. Check my list of recommended online driver’s education courses here.
Note that when applying, a parent or guardian must accompany the driver to provide written consent to obtain a license or complete and notarize an Affidavit for Minor to Drive form.
- Nighttime driving restrictions — Sun.-Thurs., 10 p.m.-6 a.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.-6
a.m. (local curfews may differ). - Must maintain a conviction-free driving record for six months prior to turning 18. A
traffic conviction during the Initial Licensing Phase may extend restrictions beyond
age 18. - All occupants must wear safety belts.
- For the first 12 months of licensing, or until the driver turns 18, whichever occurs
first, the number of passengers is limited to one person under age 20, unless the
passenger(s) is a sibling, stepsibling, child or stepchild of the driver. After this period, the number of passengers is limited to one in the front seat and the number of
safety belts in the back seat. - Wireless/cellphone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except
in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, healthcare
provider or emergency services agency. - Texting while driving is prohibited.
Sanctions
- To obtain court supervision for a traffic violation, a driver must appear in court with a parent/legal guardian and also must attend traffic safety school. Limit one court supervision for serious driving offenses.
- A moving violation conviction before age 18 generates a Secretary of State warning letter to the parent and teenager.
- A moving violation conviction that occurs within the first year of licensing will result in a six-month extension of the passenger limitation, which allows only one unrelated passenger under age 20.
- Two moving violation convictions occurring within 24 months result in a minimum one-month driver’s license suspension. Suspension length is determined by the seriousness of the offenses and the driver’s prior driving history. An additional driver’s license suspension will result in each subsequent moving violation following the initial suspension.
- Suspended drivers must attend a remedial education course, may be retested, and must pay a $70 reinstatement fee.
Full Licensing Phase — Drivers Ages 18-20
- No age-related restrictions apply except in cases where a driver fails to move from
the Initial Licensing Phase to the Full Licensing Phase. - Wireless/cellphone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except
in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, healthcare
provider or emergency services agency. - Texting while driving is prohibited.
For more information about the GDL program, please refer to the Illinois Graduated
Driver Licensing Program brochure at www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Brochures also are
available at your local Driver Services facility, high school driver education program or
a commercial driving school program.
Parental Responsibility
- Parental Consent —Drivers ages 16-17 must have the written consent of a parent/legal guardian to obtain a driver’s license. The parent/legal guardian who gave
initial consent may cancel the minor’s license at any time, for any reason, until the
driver turns 18 by contacting the Secretary of State’s office. Driving privileges will not
be reinstated until the parent/legal guardian who withdrew consent, once again provides consent or until the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first. The teen driver must
reapply for a driver’s license, take all applicable exams and pay the appropriate fees. - Parent-Teen Driving Guide — In partnership with the Illinois Department of
Transportation, the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association,
and the Illinois Parent Teacher Association, the Secretary of State’s office developed a Parent-Teen Driving Guide to assist parents in teaching their teen drivers the
skills they need to know before they start driving on their own. The guide is available at www.cyberdriveillinois.com. - Parent-Teen Driving Contract — The Secretary of State’s office has created a
voluntary Parent-Teen Driving Contract that establishes parameters and boundaries
between parents and teens to enable young drivers to acquire safe driving habits
and skills. The contract is available in the Parent-Teen Driving Guide or at www.
cyberdriveillinois.com. - Parental Access to Teen’s Driving Record. The parent/legal guardian of a person under age 18 who holds an instruction permit or graduated driver’s license may access the minor’s driving record at no cost at www.cyberdriveillinois.com, using the PIN provided by the Secretary of State’s office.