Your Guide to Arlington Heights Illinois Licensing Procedures and Online Driver Education
On behalf of the State of Arlington Heights Illinois, we welcome you to the world of driving! The process of applying for your Arlington Heights Illinois learner's permit or first Arlington Heights Illinois driver license can be as daunting as it is exciting, and so we have put together this short guide to help you through the process
Arlington Heights Illinois has a Graduated Driver License Program for Arlington Heights Illinois teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your Arlington Heights Illinois driving license goes as smoothly as possible. So let's not waste anymore time!
Arlington Heights Illinois Instructional Permit or Arlington Heights Illinois Learner Permit
When you turn 15, you can finally apply for an Arlington Heights Illinois learner's permit, otherwise known as an Arlington Heights Illinois supervised instruction permit. You must have your Arlington Heights Illinois learner's license on your person at all times and a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age must be sitting in the front passenger seat at all times. In order to apply for your Arlington Heights Illinois learner's permit, you'll need to meet the following requirements:
- Be 15-17 years old
- Enroll in a State of Arlington Heights Illinois approved Driver Education Program
- Study the Arlington Heights Illinois driver handbook thoroughly
- Take the required personal information to your local Arlington Heights Illinois Driver Service Center
Once you arrive at the Arlington Heights Illinois Driver Service Center, you'll have to:
- pay a $20 processing fee
- take a vision test
- pass a written exam
If you survived, then give yourself a pat on the back: you just earned your Arlington Heights Illinois learner's permit, which is valid for 2 years. After you've had your Arlington Heights Illinois learner's permit for 9 months, you can apply for your Arlington Heights Illinois driver's license.
Your First Arlington Heights Illinois Driver's License or Arlington Heights Illinois Provisional License
If you've gotten this far, you're well on your way to becoming a full-fledged Arlington Heights Illinois driver. In order to apply for your first Arlington Heights Illinois provisional driver license, you'll need to meet the following requirements:
- keep your Arlington Heights Illinois learner's permit for 9 months in good standing
- complete the mandatory Arlington Heights Illinois driver education program
- maintain 8 passing grades in the two most recent school semesters
- written certification from your parent that you completed the required 50 driving hours
- these 50 hours must include 10 hours at night
At the Arlington Heights Illinois Driver Service Center, you'll present your Arlington Heights Illinois learner's license and the required personal information. Then comes a three-part driver license exam, which includes the dreaded road test (which should be no problem if you've done well up to this point). If you survive, then a second pat on the back is in order: you've just earned your Arlington Heights Illinois driver license!
Once you turn 17 and have held your Arlington Heights Illinois provisional without any traffic violations, you will earn your Arlington Heights Illinois full license. Congratulations!
Arlington Heights Illinois Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
Driving is a privilege, not a right. The Graduated Driver License Program gives you a chance to "earn" your way to full driving privileges. Until then, there are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Arlington Heights Illinois learner's license or Arlington Heights Illinois driver's license.
Arlington Heights Illinois Learner's Permit Restrictions: With an Arlington Heights Illinois learner's permit, you must always be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 and in the front passenger seat. Furthermore:
- Always keep your Arlington Heights Illinois provisional license on hand
- All passengers must wear seat belts
- Observe all of the alcohol and intoxicating substance laws
- You are allowed to drive with your permit until 10 p.m. on weeknights, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Arlington Heights Illinois Provisional License Restrictions:
- Always have your Arlington Heights Illinois provisional license on hand
- All occupants must wear seat belts
- Observe all of the alcohol and intoxicating substance laws
- Also, no driving between 10PM to 6 AM Sunday through Thursday or 11PM to 6AM Friday through Saturday unless you're accompanied by your parent or guardian is present
If you're caught driving outside the restricted hours, your Arlington Heights Illinois driver license could be suspended. Drivers under 18 should also be aware that you may face Arlington Heights Illinois driver's license suspension for insufficient high school attendance.But cheer up: as soon as you turn 18, these restrictions are lifted!
Arlington Heights Illinois Auto Insurance Arlington Heights Illinois Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Arlington Heights Illinois driver's license, you're ready to drive, right? Not quite: traffic accidents--minor and major--can happen to even the most seasoned drivers. Thus, any vehicle registered in Arlington Heights Illinois must be covered by liability insurance. The minimum coverage is:
- $20,000 for personal injury
- $40,000 per person
- $15,000 for property damage.
If you are ever caught driving without Arlington Heights Illinois mandatory liability insurance, you could be fined $500 for a first time offense. For subsequent offenses, you will receive a four month vehicle registration suspension. And, if you're involved in an accident and cannot provide proof of insurance, your Arlington Heights Illinois learner's permit or Arlington Heights Illinois provisional license could be suspended. Do NOT get on Arlington Heights Illinois roads in an uninsured vehicle!
Arlington Heights Illinois Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
As you're probably aware, a drunk and/or distracted driver is a dangerous driver. As a new Arlington Heights Illinois driver, it's vital that you learn the Arlington Heights Illinois drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws.
Upon your first conviction of a Arlington Heights Illinois DUI (0.08 blood alcohol level), you will face the following penalties:
- Jail sentence of up to 1 year
- Arlington Heights Illinois license suspension of at least 1 year
- Breath alcohol ignition interlock device installation
- Up to a $2500 fine
- Community service--100 hour minimum (if BAC above 0.16)
Clearly, getting behind the wheel drunk is not a game you want to play. And of course, further Arlington Heights Illinois DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Arlington Heights Illinois license suspension or even Arlington Heights Illinois license revocation.
Currently, Arlington Heights Illinois prohibits texting while driving, and fines begin at $75. You are also prohibited from using cell phones while driving through school zones. In all other instances, be VERY careful while using your cell phone, even if it's within the rules.
Arlington Heights Illinois Online Driver Education
Anyone applying for a Arlington Heights Illinois provisional license must take an Arlington Heights Illinois approved driver education course. The Arlington Heights Illinois State Board of Education website has complete information on approved Arlington Heights Illinois online driver education programs.