Permits & licensing

What should I bring to the DMV for my instruction permit?

Teen students ages 15–17: Bring the school-issued permit application (the “white form”) with the required instructor signature, parent or legal guardian consent, and acceptable identification. You generally must be enrolled in an approved driver education course or begin within 30 days. Illinois allows applicants age 17 years and 3 months or older to apply for a permit without enrolling in driver education.

Students ages 18 and older: Bring the required application and acceptable identification. All applicants must pay the applicable fee and pass the vision screening and written exam. See the Illinois instruction permit requirements.

Prepare your documents before you go. Use the Secretary of State’s acceptable-document checklists for your application. Common examples include:

• Date of birth: an original or certified birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or another accepted document.
• Illinois address: an accepted school report card or certified transcript, recent bank statement, lease, or utility bill showing your name and address.
• Social Security number, when required: a Social Security card or another accepted document showing your full number, such as a W-2.
• Written signature: an accepted signed document, such as a valid passport or Social Security card.

One document may satisfy more than one category. Bring the required originals or certified copies and follow the checklist’s rules for printed statements. If you need to use a parent’s residency documents or have questions about Social Security documentation, confirm the requirements with the DMV before your visit. A first-time standard Illinois license generally requires one residency document. For a REAL ID license, use the separate REAL ID checklist, which requires two residency documents.

What should I bring to the DMV for my driver’s license?

All first-time applicants: Bring your instruction permit, the identification documents required for your application, and any applicable fee. Complete the required exams. If taking a road test, bring a safe, properly registered vehicle and valid proof of insurance. The vehicle does not have to be registered in your name, but you must have permission to use it and appropriate insurance coverage.

Teens ages 16–17 also need:

• At least nine consecutive months with an instruction permit and completion of an approved driver education course.
• Driver education completion posted to their driving record. Check this before your visit using the instructions below.
• A signed 50-hour practice driving log, including at least 10 nighttime hours.
• A parent or legal guardian to provide written consent, or the required notarized Affidavit/Consent for Minor to Drive.
• A Cooperative Driver Testing Certificate, if one was issued.

Review the Illinois teen licensing requirements for full eligibility rules and restrictions.

First-time drivers ages 18–20: If you have not completed an approved driver education course, you must complete a six-hour adult driver education course through a state-certified provider and obtain your completion certificate. See Illinois adult driver education requirements or visit our six-hour adult online course.

How do I check my driver education completion status?

Check at least seven days before your planned DMV visit. Enter your permit number in the Illinois Driver’s Education Course Completion Check. Your completion must be posted to your driving record before the DMV can issue your license.

If the result confirms completion, including a “Congratulations” message, your course completion is on file even if you do not have a paper completion notice. You still need to meet all other licensing requirements and bring any separately issued road-test certificate.

If your completion is missing, call us or email a photo of your permit to northwesterndriving@hotmail.com with the subject line Completion Certificate.

What will I be tested on during the DMV road test?

The Illinois Rules of the Road lists skills including:

• Checking vehicle controls and adjusting your seat, mirrors, and seat belt before moving.
• Backing approximately 50 feet slowly, smoothly, and in a straight line while looking behind you.
• Completing an alley turnabout.
• Parking and starting on uphill and downhill grades.
• Obeying signs, signals, lane markings, and right-of-way rules, and using turn signals correctly.

Practice smooth stops, safe turns, and safe passing where permitted. Signal continuously for at least 100 feet before turning in business or residential areas, and at least 200 feet elsewhere. The state’s published test list does not specify parallel parking or expressway driving; follow the examiner’s directions and prepare for safe driving beyond the listed maneuvers.

I lost my permit. Can I drive with a photo or photocopy?

No. Bring your valid, original instruction permit to every driving lesson. If it is lost, visit the DMV for a replacement before driving again. Keeping a photo for your records can be helpful, but it does not replace the permit you need when driving.

Teen program

How many classroom days may I miss?

You may miss up to four days of the teen classroom program. Missed classes must be made up. Call us to arrange makeup classes on another date.

How do I schedule my teen behind-the-wheel lessons?

After classroom instruction ends, we email students and parents a driving signup link. Once you sign up, the student is added to our scheduling queue, and an instructor contacts the parent directly to arrange lessons.

Start dates depend on instructor availability and scheduling. Lessons may not begin immediately after the classroom portion ends. Students have nine months from the end of class to complete their driving lessons with us. Illinois also requires teens to hold their permit for at least nine months before licensing; that state waiting period begins when the permit is issued.

For current scheduling availability, call 773-465-3430 or email northwesterndriving@hotmail.com.

Should I practice driving while waiting for lessons?

Yes. Once you have your permit, we encourage regular supervised practice. Drivers under 18 must complete at least 50 hours of practice, including 10 hours at night, in addition to driver education training.

Practice with a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult who is at least 21, holds the appropriate valid driver’s license, and has at least one year of driving experience. The supervising adult must sit beside you in the front passenger seat. Follow your permit restrictions and track your hours using the resources in the Illinois Parent-Teen Driving Guide.

Can I take behind-the-wheel lessons separately?

Yes. We offer behind-the-wheel-only training for teens who are currently taking classroom driver education through their high school or have completed classroom instruction elsewhere. We need a copy of the student’s permit and, before processing completion certification, a report card showing that classroom driver education is complete. We process completion certification after the classroom and required behind-the-wheel training are finished.

For required behind-the-wheel training or additional driving practice, register for behind-the-wheel driving only.

Driving appointments

When are lessons available, and do you offer pickup and drop-off?

Driving appointments can be scheduled seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., subject to availability. Pickup and drop-off from home, school, or work are available depending on your location. Confirm the meeting location with your instructor when scheduling.

How do I cancel or reschedule a driving appointment?

Contact your instructor as soon as possible. We require at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule. Less than 24 hours’ notice results in a $25 fee, payable before your next lesson.

Exceptions apply for last-minute emergencies, including illness, with supporting documentation.

Our instructors

Are your instructors qualified?

Our instructors must pass extensive background checks administered by the Illinois Secretary of State and pass a certified instructor training course.

Are you hiring?

We’re always looking for new instructors, and we offer paid training. Call 773-465-3430 for details.