How many practice hours do you need in Illinois?
In Illinois, a learner driver must log 50 hours of supervised driving practice—including 10 at night—before applying for a license.
Illinois learner permit requirements
- Minimum permit age: 15
- Supervised practice required: 50 hours total, 10 at night (what counts as night driving)
- Permit hold period: 9 months
- License eligibility age: 16
- How hours are certified: 50-hour practice log signed by a parent or guardian. DriveMint fills in the DSD X 152 50-Hour Practice Driving Log from your logged drives (see every state form).
Applicants under 18 must complete an approved driver-education course, hold the instruction permit for 9 months, and log 50 hours of practice (10 at night).
When can you drive with a permit in Illinois?
Illinois permit holders under 18 can't drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, or from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, even with a supervisor, unless that supervisor is a parent or guardian or another exception applies. The same curfew stays on the license until 18.
With a parent, guardian, family member or person acting as a parent who is 21+ and licensed at least a year, beside you, or a driver ed instructor.
Only with a parent or guardian, or on a straight trip to or from work, a parent's errand, or an adult-supervised school, religious or recreational activity, or in an emergency.
Alone. For the first 12 months, no more than one passenger under 20, not counting siblings or your own children.
Same exceptions as the permit: with a parent or guardian, straight to or from work or a supervised activity, a parent's errand, or an emergency.
- The curfew also doesn't apply during interstate travel, while exercising First Amendment rights such as attending religious services, or to minors who are married or emancipated.
- You must hold the permit for at least 9 months, without traffic convictions, and a parent or guardian certifies your 50 hours (10 at night).
With curfew at 10 p.m. on school nights, night practice means evenings. In December, sunset is before 4:45 p.m. across Illinois, so the 10 night hours fit easily before curfew.
Checked against 625 ILCS 5/6-107.1 and 5/6-110 in October 2026. Limits after the road test are under restrictions for new drivers.
Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the Illinois Secretary of State before applying.
Illinois's graduated licensing stages
Enroll in driver ed; drive with a parent, guardian, family member or person acting as a parent who is 21+; log 50 hours (10 at night) over 9 months.
Passenger limits for the first 12 months; the night curfew lasts until 18.
Graduated restrictions are removed.
Driving restrictions for new Illinois drivers
Drivers under 18 can't drive Sunday–Thursday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or Friday–Saturday from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., unless a parent or guardian is with them, or they're driving straight to or from work, a parent's errand, or an adult-supervised school, religious or recreational activity, or in an emergency.
For the first 12 months (or until 18), no more than one passenger under 20, not counting siblings, step-siblings, children or stepchildren. Under 18, only one passenger may ride in the front seat.
Drivers under 19 may not use a cell phone while driving.
Log every Illinois practice hour automatically
DriveMint tracks each supervised drive, separates day and night hours, and generates a PDF you can print or show at the DMV. Prove all 50 hours without a paper logbook falling apart in the glove box.
New to DriveMint? Watch the one-minute video guides, from setup to a signed log.
Illinois driving practice FAQs
How many driving hours do you need in Illinois?+
Illinois requires 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.
What time can you drive with a permit in Illinois?+
Illinois instruction permits for drivers under 18 are invalid from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights, and from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Exceptions include driving with a parent or guardian, running an errand for a parent without detours, driving straight to or from work or an adult-supervised school, religious or recreational activity, and emergencies. At other times, the supervisor must be a driver education instructor, or a parent, legal guardian, family member or person acting as a parent who is 21 or older, licensed for at least a year, and sitting beside the learner. The same curfew and exceptions apply to licensed drivers until they turn 18.
How long is the night-driving restriction in Illinois?+
It runs 10 p.m.–6 a.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m.–6 a.m. on weekends until you turn 18.
Does Illinois require driver education?+
Yes — all applicants under 18 must complete a state-approved driver-education program that includes classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.
Requirements in other states
Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.