1. Who may enroll in your teen driver education course?

Any teenager who turns 15 before the end of the five week classroom session may enroll.

2. What size class can I expect?

The Illinois Secretary of State limits our class size to 35 students. We frequently have full classes, especially during summer months.

3. Must I start on the first day of class?

It is recommended, but if that is not possible, you can enroll up to and including the third day of class.

4. What will I need to bring to class?

Green Light Driving School supplies all materials, i.e., pencils, paper, and books. However, we suggest you print the following two forms and have them completed for the first day of class: Student Registration Form and Teen Policy Statement.

5. When can I obtain my instruction permit?

Students must attend four hours of classroom instruction before getting a permit. Therefore, on the second day of class you will be given an instruction permit application. With this application, you can visit to the Secretary of State to take the written exam and get your instruction permit.

6. How many classes can I miss?

The Secretary of State allows four (4) absences before students are automatically dropped from the course. All absences must be made up so that each student receives 30 hours of classroom.

7. How are missed classes made up?

Absences may be made up by attending a class from the next session. While it is recommended that students attend the class missed, it is not required.

8. How are Behind-The-Wheel (BTW) lessons scheduled?

BTW lessons are scheduled at the students’ convenience outside of class. We will work around all extra curricular activities, e.g., sports, dance, etc. Once students are paid in full and have a user name and password, students may schedule BTW lessons online by clicking the ‘Student Login’ button on our home page. On the first visit, students are required to update the ‘My Info’ page with a DL Permit# and FAC Number found on the student learner’s permit. Once this is complete, click on ‘Schedule My Drive’ to schedule Behind-The-Wheel lessons. Watch this video for a demonstration.

9. What is the “blue slip?”

The blue slip is a computer generated letter from the Secretary of State showing you have successfully passed Driver’s Education. Prior to December 2000, this “Proof of Completion” was printed on blue paper with blue ink. This letter is still referred to as the blue slip. You should show this blue slip letter to the Drivers License Examiner in order to take your road test and obtain your license. You can check the status of a blue slip by entering your Instruction Permit Number at https://www.ilsos.gov/deccheck/. We recommend checking the status prior to visiting the Secretary of State to take your road test to ensure you have completed the course and are eligible to obtain your driver's license.

10. How long does it take to receive the  letter of completion or “blue slip” once class is completed?

It typically takes about two weeks after classroom and Behind-The-Wheel requirements are met to receive the blue slip, but allow extra time during the summer months. 

11. What if I lose the letter of completion or “blue slip?”

A student can still take the road test without a physical copy of the letter of completion providing his or her name has been entered in the Secretary of State's database. 

12. If I took Driver’s Education in another state, do I need to retake it for Illinois?

The Illinois Secretary of State recognizes the Driver Education curriculum in some states, but not in all states. Please call 630-879-7700 for more information.

13. Is it legal to drive in other states with an Illinois learner’s permit?

You will need to contact the Secretary of State or Department of Motor Vehicles for the state in question. Some states recognize an Illinois learner’s permit, while others do not.

14. Will the legal driving age in Illinois be raised to 18?

The legal driving age in Illinois will not be raised to 18 in the foreseeable future. Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed House Bill 4768, which allows drivers age 16 to obtain an Illinois driver’s license, but increases the additional practice with a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult from 25 to 50 hours with at least 10 hours of night driving.

15. Can I lose my driving privilege for truancy?

Yes. Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed House Bill 1463, which requires minors to maintain school attendance in order to keep their driver’s license or learner’s permit. The Secretary of State may refuse to issue or renew the graduated license or learner’s permit of a minor who does not maintain school attendance, or who has been certified as a “chronic and habitual truant.” A “chronic and habitual truant” is defined as a child subject to compulsory school attendance who is absent without “valid cause” for 10 percent or more of the previous 180 school days. “Valid cause” includes illness, death in the family.

16. Why is the registration fee non-refundable?

Green Light Driving School can enroll 35 students per class and does not want to turn away students who are looking to enroll when space is available. It can be difficult for a student who has been informed the class is full to find another class that meets his or her schedule; it can be difficult for Green Light Driving School to fill the opening due to a late cancellation. A non-refundable registration fee reduces the number of late cancellations by requiring a greater commitment to a specific class prior to registering.

17. How long will it take to complete the Behind-The-Wheel instruction?

The Illinois Secretary of State requires all Behind-The-Wheel instruction to be completed in no less than two weeks and no greater than nine months. Green Light Driving School has numerous instructors and will make every effort to complete the Behind-The-Wheel instruction as soon as possible. In summer months, the demand for BTW is extremely high and schedules fill to capacity. In the remaining months, the demand for BTW is lower and it takes less time to complete the BTW instruction.