Cooperative Driver Testing Program
The Cooperative Driver Testing Program allows state-certified driver education instructors to administer the behind-the-wheel road exams to their driver education students. Instructor administered tests are regulated and approved by the Office of the Secretary of State. Students must:
-
Complete a minimum of 30 hours of classroom study and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training;
-
Receive a combined grade of A or B;
-
Receive approval from parent/legal guardian;
-
Pass an instructor-administered behind-the-wheel exam.
After the student has successfully completed an approved driver education course, the driving school will send the information to the Secretary of State's office. To apply for a driver's license at age 16, a student who has held an instruction permit for nine months must visit a Driver Services facility and provide the following: 50 hour certificate verifying practice driving time; written parental consent; acceptable identification verifying full legal name, written signature, date of birth, Social Security number and Illinois residency and the required fee. The road exam is generally waived, however, to ensure the quality and integrity of the program, some students may be required to take the road exam.
Each September, a CDTP update packet is sent to participating school districts in order to obtain any new information from the districts and to meet the recertification requirements of the program.
Parental Consent
Drivers ages 16 and 17 must have parent/legal guardian consent in order to obtain a driver's license. The parent/legal guardian must provide written consent at the time of the minor's application at a Driver Services facility. The parent/legal guardian also must show proof that the applicant has had at least 50 hours of practice driving, including 10 hours at night, during the Permit Phase. A parent/legal guardian may revoke consent for the minor to hold a driver's license at any time, for any reason, until the driver turns 18 by contacting the Secretary of State's office. Driving privileges will not be reinstated until the parent/legal guardian who withdrew consent once again provides consent or until the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first. The teen driver must reapply for a driver's license and pay the appropriate fees in order for the license to be reinstated.