Illinois Driving Laws: Complete Guide (2025)

Minimum Driving Age & Licensing Process

Illinois employs a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program for drivers under 21:

• Instruction Permit: Available at 15 years old with enrollment in a state-approved driver education course.
  
  
• Initial Licensing Phase: At 16-17 years old, after completing driver education and 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night), teens can obtain an initial license with restrictions.
  
  
• Full Licensing Phase: At 18 years old, drivers may obtain a full license without restrictions, provided they have maintained a clean driving record.
  
  

For more details, visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s GDL page.(Illinois Secretary of State)

Learner’s Permit Rules

While holding an instruction permit:(Illinois Secretary of State)

• Must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult age 21 or older with a valid driver’s license.
  
  
• Must complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
  
  
• Permit must be held for a minimum of 9 months.
  
  

License Types

• Class D: Standard driver’s license for operating non-commercial vehicles.
  
  
• Class M: Motorcycle license.
  
  
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Required for operating commercial vehicles.
  
  

Required Documents for Driving

To obtain a driver’s license or permit, applicants must provide:

• Proof of identity.
  
  
• Proof of Social Security Number.
  
  
• Proof of Illinois residency.(IDOI)
  
  
• Proof of signature.
  
  

Detailed information can be found in the Illinois Rules of the Road 2025.(Illinois Secretary of State)

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws

• Seatbelts: All drivers and passengers aged 8 and older are required to wear seatbelts, regardless of seating position.
  
  
• Child Car Seats:
  
  
  • Children under 8 years old must be secured in an appropriate child safety restraint system.(Illinois Secretary of State)
    
    
  • Children under 2 years old must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh more than 40 pounds or are taller than 40 inches.
    
    
  • Children aged 8 to 12 can use a seatbelt without a booster seat, but it’s recommended to use a booster until the seatbelt fits properly.(Lewis Injury Law)
    
    

For more information, visit the Illinois Child Passenger Safety page.(Illinois Secretary of State)

Cell Phone and Distracted Driving Rules

• Handheld device use while driving is prohibited for all drivers.(Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law P.C.)
  
  
• Texting while driving is banned for all drivers.
  
  
• Drivers under 19 years old are prohibited from using any mobile devices, including hands-free, except in emergencies.
  
  
• As of January 1, 2024, video calls and social media use while driving are also prohibited.(Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law P.C.)
  
  

Violations are considered moving offenses and can lead to fines and points on your driving record.

DUI/DWI Thresholds and Penalties

• Legal BAC Limits:
  
  
  • Drivers 21 and over: 0.08%
    
    
  • Commercial drivers: 0.04%
    
    
  • Drivers under 21: 0.00% (Zero Tolerance)
    
    
• Penalties:
  
  
  • First Offense: Class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail, fines up to $2,500, and license suspension.(appelmanlawyers.com)
    
    
  • Second Offense: Mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail or 240 hours of community service, fines, and longer license suspension.
    
    
  • Third Offense: Class 2 felony, possible imprisonment, substantial fines, and license revocation.(IL License Reinstatement Lawyer)
    
    

For more details, refer to the Illinois DUI Laws.(NCDD)

Speed Limits

• Urban Districts: Default speed limit is 30 mph, but a proposed bill (SB2070) aims to reduce it to 20 mph starting October 1, 2025.(Illinois General Assembly)
  
  
• Alleys in Urban Districts: Default speed limit is 15 mph, with a proposed reduction to 10 mph.
  
  
• Chicago Specific: Proposals are in place to reduce citywide speed limits to 25 mph on streets and 15 mph in alleys by January 2026.(Block Club Chicago)
  
  

For more information, see the SB2070 Bill Text.(Illinois General Assembly)

Road Rage and Reckless Driving Laws

• Reckless Driving: Defined as operating a vehicle with willful disregard for safety. It’s typically a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and fines up to $2,500.
  
  
• Aggravated Reckless Driving: If the behavior causes great bodily harm or involves certain victims (e.g., children, crossing guards), it’s a Class 4 felony.(appelmanlawyers.com)
  
  

For more details, refer to Appelman Law’s overview.(appelmanlawyers.com)

Points System

Illinois assigns points for traffic violations, which can lead to license suspension:

• 10 to 34 points: 1-month suspension(IL License Reinstatement Lawyer)
  
  
• 35 to 49 points: 3-month suspension(IL License Reinstatement Lawyer)
  
  
• 50 to 64 points: 6-month suspension
  
  
• 65 to 79 points: 12-month suspension
  
  
• 80+ points: License revocation
  
  

Examples of point assignments:(NerdWallet)

• Reckless driving: 55 points(Kopp Law)
  
  
• Speeding over 25 mph: 50 points(Kopp Law)
  
  
• Using a mobile device while driving: 20-30 points(Kopp Law)
  
  

For a comprehensive list, visit Illinois Driver’s License Points.(IL License Reinstatement Lawyer)

Insurance Requirements

Illinois mandates minimum liability insurance coverage:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
  
  
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
  
  
• $20,000 for property damage per accident(The Zebra)
  
  

Proof of insurance must be carried at all times while driving.

For more information, see Illinois Car Insurance Laws.(The Zebra)

Renewal Frequency and Testing

• Standard Renewal: Every 4 years for drivers under 81.
  
  
• Ages 81-86: Renew every 2 years.(Illinois Secretary of State)
  
  
• Ages 87 and older: Renew annually.
  
  
• Vision Test: Required at each renewal.(Illinois Legal Aid)
  
  
• Written Test: Required at least once every 8 years if traffic convictions have occurred.(Illinois Secretary of State)
  
  
• Driving Test: Mandatory for drivers aged 75 and older at each renewal.(Illinois Secretary of State)
  
  

For more details, visit the Illinois Driver Services FAQ.(Illinois Secretary of State)

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