• Illinois drivers cannot drive without restrictions before turning 18.driving 4 image by Andrzej Borowicz from Fotolia.com
  
  Illinois calls its licensing procedure for first-time drivers the Graduated Driver Licensing program. The state has numerous restrictions in place for drivers who are younger than 18, and a few for drivers younger than 21. One of the program's primary goals is a reduction in the number of fatal crashes for drivers between the ages of 15 and 20.
  
  

Laws for Obtaining a Learner's Permit

• At age 15, Illinois residents may obtain a permit to begin learning to drive. The driver must have the consent of a parent or guardian, and be in a state-approved driver education course. The driver also must pass written and vision exams.
  
  

Laws for Driving With a Permit

• Drivers with a permit may drive only while in the company of an adult who is 21 or older and has a valid driver's license. They may not drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. through 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The driver must keep the permit for at least nine months--up from three months before 2008--and practice driving for at least 50 hours, including 10 hours at night, under adult supervision. The driver must avoid committing any moving violations during the nine-month permit phase. Any conviction results in an additional waiting period of nine months before the driver may apply for a provisional license. (Reference 1)
  
  

Laws for Obtaining a Provisional License

• At age 16 and 17, a driver may obtain a license to drive on his own, with provisions. The driver's parent or guardian must certify that the driver has completed the requisite hours of practice driving. The driver also must have completed a driver's education course.
  
  

Laws for Driving With a Provisional License

• The same nighttime hour restrictions that apply to driving with a permit also apply to driving with a provisional license. Drivers also must avoid convictions for moving violations for at least six months before turning 18. A conviction may extend the provisional license restrictions beyond age 18. Only one passenger younger than 20 may be in the car at any time unless the additional passengers are the driver's own siblings or children. This restriction ends after the first year of licensing or when the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first.
  
  

Laws for 18- to 20-Year-Old Drivers

• Unless they have convictions on their record, drivers may obtain a full driver's license upon turning 18. Drivers younger than 19 may not use a cell phone while driving except to contact emergency personnel. For drivers younger than 21, two convictions for moving violations within a two-year period will result in a license suspension of at least one month.