Driver Education Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Behind the Wheel instruction?
Behind the Wheel is concurrent with the classroom instructional period, consisting of 10 to 11 48-minute drives (180 minutes total) and 15 simulation sessions. An instructor and up to three students will be in the car at a time. If one student does not show up, the other students will drive. Students who miss drives will be expected to make up drive time. Students will not drive alone with the instructor. In addition to Behind the Wheel, simulation is essential to meet state drive time requirements. Therefore, missed simulation sessions must also be made up. Students must be on time for their scheduled Behind the Wheel and simulation lessons.

My student has their permit. Should they start practicing?
Yes! Once students have their permit, they can practice driving with a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must be over 21 and have had a valid license for at least one year. Practicing driving throughout the semester, as students work with instructors at school, will reinforce proper driving skills.

When will my student get their driver’s permit?
Students will go through the permit process during Driver Education classroom instruction. They will take their permit test and vision test during class. Once these are completed, they will be given their permit application. The permit application must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned with a $20 check (no cash) made payable to the Secretary of State (IL-SOS) to cover the permit fee to the student’s classroom instructor. The instructor will take the completed applications to the DMV and distribute the permits to the students once they are processed.

My student lost their permit. What do we do?
Students who lose their permit must go to the DMV for a replacement. The current replacement fee is $5. A student must have a paper permit to take Behind the Wheel instruction.

My student will take Behind the Wheel at a private driving school. What do we need to do?
If a student has completed Driver Education classroom instruction and wishes to take Behind the Wheel with a private driving school, they must provide the driving school with classroom completion documentation. The GW Registrar, Ms. Mirka, is the contact for any documentation requested from a private driving school. She can be reached at [email protected] or 630-469-8600.

My student is a great driver! Do they need to take Behind the Wheel?
To obtain a driver’s license before age 18, a student must complete Driver Education and Behind the Wheel. If a student waits until age 18, completing Behind the Wheel is unnecessary. Once a student is 18, completing the Driver Education classroom instruction is only required.

Does my student need additional documentation once they turn 18 years old?
The Secretary of State will require every student who waits until 18 years old to obtain their driver’s license to show proof that they completed and passed a Driver Education course. An official transcript can be requested from the WB Registrar by completing a Transcript Request Form or contacting our Registrar at [email protected] or 630-942-7484. This is only necessary if a student is 18 years old or older.