Embarking on the journey to obtain your driver’s license in Illinois may seem like a daunting task, but with the guidance of a trusted driving school like MyDrive Academy, the process becomes surprisingly simple and straightforward.

logo white

How Long Does it Take to Finish Driving School in Illinois?
A Simple Guide

Embarking on the journey to obtain your driver’s license in Illinois may seem like a daunting task, but with the guidance of a trusted driving school like MyDrive Academy, the process becomes surprisingly simple and straightforward. In this article, we will break down the essential steps and timeframes involved in completing driving school in Illinois, whether you’re a teenager or an adult looking to secure your license.

Teenagers (15-17 Years Old)

  • Instruction Permit Eligibility: If you are 15 years of age or older, you are eligible for an instruction permit. To obtain your permit, you must enroll in an approved driver education course, which is where MyDrive Academy comes into play. As part of the process, you’ll need to pass a vision and written test.
  • Nine-Month Permit Phase: Once you receive your instruction permit, you’ll enter the nine-month permit phase. During this time, it’s crucial to avoid acquiring any driving convictions. The instruction permit is valid for up to two years.
  • Behind-the-Wheel Lessons: Your instruction permit allows you to start your behind-the-wheel driving lessons, which are an integral part of the Driver’s Ed course you’ve enrolled in. This course includes 30 hours of in-classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training.
  • Driving Practice Hours: In addition to the six hours of driving lessons, teenagers are required to complete 50 hours of driving practice outside of the lessons. These practice hours must be supervised by a parent or an adult aged 21 or older with a valid driver’s license. Of those 50 hours, 10 must be completed at night.

Total Hours Needed: Combining the six hours of driving lessons with the 50 hours of supervised practice, you’ll need at least 56 hours of driving experience as a teen before you can take the road test to move on to the Initial Licensing Phase in Illinois. However, remember that practice makes perfect, so feel free to exceed these minimum requirements. The amount of time an applicant will take to comply with the mandatory state requirements mainly depends on the amount of free time they have and their availability to practice.

Adult Education Classroom (Ages 18-20)

 If you didn’t complete the classroom portion of Drivers Ed in high school and you’re between the ages of 18-20, the State of Illinois requires you to complete a 6 Hour Adult Education Classroom course.

Hour Requirements Summary

  • Teenagers: 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of driving lessons, 50 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night).
  • Adults (18-20): 2 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a certified instructor, 6 Hour Adult Education Classroom course if not completed in high school.

Adults (21+):

  • Professional Driving School: All adult drivers above the age of 18 must complete at least 2 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a certified instructor, in addition to the other requirements mentioned above.
  • Adult Education Classroom (Ages 18-20): Similar to teenagers, adults between the ages of 18-20 who didn’t complete the classroom portion of Drivers Ed in high school must also complete a 6 Hour Adult Education Classroom course.
  • Permit Requirement: A permit is required for adults as well to start the process.

 

In summary, MyDrive Academy simplifies the process of obtaining your driver’s license in Illinois. Teenagers must complete a minimum of 56 hours of driving practice before moving on to the Initial Licensing Phase, while adults can choose to enhance their skills through professional driving lessons. With our guidance, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the road and enjoy the freedom of having a driver’s license. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to begin your journey towards becoming a responsible and confident driver. Remember, the time it takes to fulfill these requirements depends on your availability and dedication to practice.

why choose us?

Parent and Student Testimonials

This place is really really good. The package is worth it I highly recommend getting it. Ismail was my instructor and I really appreciate how patient, compassionate and helpful he has been. I give this place a 10/10!!
ava4
Adam Sendler
Student
Professional and made learning to drive enjoyable.The best driving instructor in town! Tailored lessons, clear instructions, and a friendly approach.Thank you for helping my son become a confident driver.
y10
Cathy Adams
Parent
I was trained and easily passed the written test for C licence, I do not understand English well and Ismael asked me everything again so that I would understand exactly how to answer the written test correctly.
ava2
Paul Dalton
Adult Student

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Our courses have been designed to meet each student where they are in the process of learning to drive, and our test-prep courses have ensured that students can pass their permit and road tests with confidence and ease.

MyDA’s highly trained, state-licensed instructors are used to accommodating students who have apprehensions about driving a car. Lessons are conducted at a pace that best fits a student’s needs, and will only move forward to more advanced skills when the student feels comfortable.

Our permit-test preparation course has helped thousands of driving students pass the permit exam. At the end of the two-hour course, students take practice tests similar to the real exam to reinforce the knowledge gained during the class. 

Permit Prep class in English

Clase de preparación para obtener el Permiso en español

MyDA has a variety of lesson packages available to fit the needs and capabilities of every beginning and intermediate driver. You can look over our available classes here or call our operators at (630) 760-2255 for specific advice. 

No one can guarantee how quickly or slowly things will move at the SOS, but in general Fridays are more crowded than other days, and afternoons are more crowded than mornings. 

It is strongly recommended that anyone who needs to visit a Secretary of State facility should make an appointment in advance at the SOS’s scheduling site. Permit-test or road-test appointments should be scheduled with time to spare. 

The Secretary of State’s Facility Finder lists all SOS-location addresses in Illinois, along with their hours of operation, phone numbers, and other useful information.

96% of Our Students Pass the Driving Test on

Their First Try!

Play Video

Contact Us

If you have any questions or comments, please fill in all the fields below.

Location & Info

Phone: (630) 760-2255

Email: support@mydriveacademy.com

Naperville Office (Main)

Address: 320 N Route 59 #120, Naperville, IL 60563

Worth/Bridgeview Office

Address: 11015 S. Harlem Ave., Unit G, Worth, IL 60482

MyDriveAcademyCOM 02

Chicago

Naperville

West Loop

Holstein Park

Lakeview

West Suburbs

Bridgeview

West Loop

Holstein Park

Lakeview

Pickup Locations

Naperville

West Loop

Holstein Park

Lakeview

follow us

Screenshot 2023 08 17 at 10.55.12 AM

  *all rights reserved