Driver Education
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New Laws Relating to Teen Driving
Graduated Driver Licensing Program
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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.
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.
Permit Phase — Drivers Age 15
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• Nighttime driving restrictions — Sun.-Thurs., 10 p.m.-6 a.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.-6a.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 backseat.
• All occupants must wear safety belts.
• Wireless/cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health-care provider or emergency services agency.
• Texting while driving is prohibited.
Initial Licensing Phase — Drivers Ages 16-17
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• Night time 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, step-sibling, 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/cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health-care provider or emergency services agency.
• Texting while driving is prohibited.
Full Licensing Phase — Drivers Ages 18-20
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•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/cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health-care provider or emergency services agency.
•Texting while driving is prohibited.
Parental Responsibility
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• Parental Consent — Drivers ages 16-17 must have the written consent of a parent/legal guardian to obtain adriver’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.