Driver Education Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Behind the Wheel instruction?
Behind the Wheel is concurrent with the classroom instructional period consisting of 11 drives one-hour lessons (or 180 Minutes) and 15 Simulation sessions. There will be an instructor and up to four students in the car at all times. If one student does not show up, 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 hour requirements. Therefore, missed Simulation sessions must be made up if missed. It is important that the students are on time for their scheduled Behind the Wheel and Simulation lessons.

My student has their permit, should they start practicing?
Yes! Once a student has their permit, they are able to practice driving with a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must be over the age of 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. They  take their permit test and their vision test during class. Once these are successfully completed, they will be given their permit application. The permit application must be signed by a parent/guardian and to be returned with a $20 check (no cash) made payable to the Secretary of State (IL-SOS) to 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?
If a student loses their permit, they must go to the DMV to get a replacement. The current replacement fee is $5. A student must have their paper permit in order to take Behind the Wheel instruction.

My student is going to take Behind the Wheel at a private driving school. What do we need to do?
If a student has completed Driver Education classroom and wishes to take Behind the Wheel with a private driving school, they will need to 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 the age of 18, a student must successfully complete Driver Education and Behind the Wheel.  It is not necessary to complete Behind the Wheel if a student waits until they are 18 years old.  Once a student is 18 years old, it is only necessary to complete Driver Education classroom.

Does my student need additional documentation once they turn 18 years old?
Every student that waits until they are 18 years old to obtain their driver’s license will be required by the DMV to show proof that they completed Driver Education classroom. An official transcript can be requested from the WB Registrar, Ms. Mirka. She can be reached at [email protected] or 630-469-8600. This is only necessary if a student is 18 years old or older.