Driver training rules in Illinois

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Illinois for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Yes, under 18: approved driver education course; school courses are at least 30 clock hours classroom + 6 clock hours practice driving.source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	50 hours behind-the-wheel practice, 10 at night, certified by parent; hold instruction permit at least 9 months.source 1
New adult drivers	Yes, ages 18-20: Secretary of State-approved adult driver education course of at least 6 hours (may be offered online if SOS approves; statute sets no behind-the-wheel hours).source 3 · source 4
Who licenses driving schools	Illinois Secretary of State licenses driver training schools (625 ILCS 5/6-401).source 5
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	Yes, at SOS-accredited CDL schools: 160 hours over at least 4 weeks (40 classroom, 20 range, 20 road, 20 observation, 60 remedial).source 6
CDL schools: state license	Yes: Secretary of State driver training school license plus CDL accreditation and TPR listing before offering CDL instruction (625 ILCS 5/6-401; 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1060).source 6 · source 5
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	Yes: at least 160 hours over at least 4 weeks, finished within 9 months of starting.source 6
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes: SOS CDL instructor license: a valid CDL, and a CDL of the same or higher class held for any 2-year period before applying.source 6
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Exempt: the driver training school license law does not apply to employers instructing their own employees. Federal TPR listing still applies.source 5
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No: the 160-hour rule binds CDL-accredited schools, and employers training their own employees are exempt from school licensing. Federal ELDT applies.source 6 · source 5
Carriers: instructor rules	No: CDL instructor licensing is tied to accredited schools, and employers training their own employees are exempt. Federal 380.713 applies.source 6 · source 5
New school bus drivers	Initial course in school bus safety incl. first aid, administered by ISBE through Regional Offices of Education, SOS-approved, ISBE-certified instructor, minimum 2 hours by rule, with sufficient practical behind-the-wheel instruction.source 7 · source 8
School bus refresher	Annual refresher course, at least 2 hours incl. first aid, taught by an ISBE-certified instructor; permit cancelled if missed.source 8 · source 7

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Illinois, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Illinois

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K6-107
2. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=010500050K27-825
3. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K6-103
4. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K6-107.5
5. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K6-401
6. https://www.ilga.gov/agencies/JCAR/EntirePart?titlepart=09201060
7. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K6-106.1
8. https://www.ilga.gov/agencies/JCAR/EntirePart?titlepart=09201035

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