How old do you have to be to get a learners permit in Illinois?

You must be at least 15 years old to apply for an Illinois instruction permit.

How much does an Illinois learners permit cost?

The Illinois instruction permit fee is $20.

How long is an Illinois learners permit valid?

An Illinois instruction permit is valid for 24 months (2 years) from the date of issue.

How long do you have to hold a permit in Illinois before getting a license?

If you're under 18, you must hold the permit for at least 9 consecutive months and complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice before getting a license.

How to Get Your Illinois Learners Permit

A complete step-by-step guide for 2026. Whether you're a teen getting your first permit or an adult new to Illinois, here's exactly what to do.

🎂 Minimum Age

Must be 15 to apply for an instruction permit in Illinois

💰 Permit Fee

$20

One-time fee for the instruction permit

📋 Test Questions

Multiple choice. Need 28 correct (80%) to pass

📅 Permit Valid For

2 yrs

24 months from date of issue

📋 Step-by-Step Process

Check the Age Requirement

You must be at least 15 years old to get an Illinois instruction permit. If you're under 18, you'll also need to be enrolled in or have completed an approved driver's education course.

Complete Driver's Education (Under 18)

If you're under 18, Illinois requires you to complete driver's education before getting a permit.

Classroom: 30 hours of instruction
Behind-the-wheel: 6 hours with a certified instructor
Where: Most high schools offer driver's ed. Private driving schools are also approved.

⚠️ Adults age 18–20 who have never been licensed and never completed driver's education must complete a 6-hour Adult Driver Education Course from a Secretary of State certified provider before obtaining a license. Adults 21+ do not need driver's education.

Gather Your Documents

You'll need to prove your identity, Social Security number, and Illinois residency. If under 18, a parent or guardian must sign a consent form at the facility.

Study for the Written Test

The written test has 35 questions from the Illinois Rules of the Road handbook. You need 28 correct (80%) to pass. Focus on road signs, right-of-way, DUI laws, speed limits, and parking distances.

📖 Read the Rules of the Road once, then use our free practice test until you're consistently scoring 90%+. Also check our cheat sheet for a one-page summary of every key fact.

Visit a Secretary of State Facility

Go to any Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility. Scheduling an appointment online at ilsos.gov is recommended to avoid long waits.

Bring: All documents, payment ($20), and a parent/guardian if under 18.
At the facility: You'll complete paperwork, take a vision screening, and then take the written test.

Pass the Vision Screening

A basic eye test checks that you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail, you'll need to visit an eye doctor and bring a completed vision report.

Take and Pass the Written Test

35 multiple-choice questions, usually on a touchscreen computer. You have about 25 minutes. Score 80% or higher to pass. If you don't pass, you can retake it.

✓

Receive Your Instruction Permit!

Once you pass, you'll receive your permit. It's valid for 24 months. Now you can practice driving with a licensed adult (21+) in the front passenger seat.

📄 Required Documents

Document Type	Accepted Examples
Proof of Identity (1 needed)	U.S. passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card
Social Security (1 needed)	SS card, W-2, pay stub with full SSN
Illinois Residency (2 needed)	Utility bill, bank statement, lease, mortgage statement, insurance policy
Proof of Signature (1 needed)	Credit/debit card, canceled check
Parental Consent (if under 18)	Parent/guardian must appear in person and sign

🎓 After You Get Your Permit (Under 18)

⏳ Hold Permit

9 months minimum before you can get a license

🚗 Practice Hours

50 hours supervised driving (10 at night)

🌙 Curfew

10 PM Sun–Thu, 11 PM Fri–Sat

📵 Phone

Zero phone use while driving (under 19)

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