Teen Driving Resouce Center
Teen Driving Resource Center > The Law

The Law
Illinois driving laws have changed much in the past few years. To help keep you current on the latest in teen driving, here is a quick run-down of the basics. For more specific information, visit http://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/driver-education.php for information on Illinois state-sponsored drivers' education programs and current laws and guidelines pertaining to teen driving.

1. Driving permits are available to teens starting at age 15, provided they have parental permission, pass a written road test and a vision test, and are enrolled in a driver's education course at the time of application.
   
   
2. Parental consent is required for a 16-year old to obtain a driver's license.
   
   
3. To obtain a license, parents must verify their teen has had a minimum of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice with at least 10 hours being driven at night.
   
   
4. For the first six months of a person's license or until the driver is 18, whichever occurs first, the number of passengers in the vehicle is limited to one under the age of 20, unless the person is a sibling, step-sibling, child, step-child, etc.
   
   
5. Effective July 15, 2005, drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to use a cell phone while driving unless it is for emergency purposes.
   
   
6. Effective January 1, 2006 each driver under the age of 18 and each of the driver's passengers under the age of 19 (changed from 18) must wear a safety belt.
   

* Please note, this information is only a brief summary of current driving laws in effect in the State of Illinois and may not reflect the most recent updates/changes to the law. Please see the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles for the most up-to-date information.