Top Free Review Course for Seniors and Disabled Drivers

Illinois offers a free Rules of the Road Review Course throughout the state aimed at helping seniors safely keep their driving privileges. This course can also help people with disabilities get a driver's license―or get it back.

The course is held regularly in every county. It provides a detailed explanation of what the road test covers. It also gives participants the chance to take a practice written test. Click on your county to see when the course is scheduled in your area.

Top Restricted Local License

This is a limited license designed primarily for older drivers who want to have the ability to legally continue driving under certain circumstances, but who may not have or feel that they have the necessary skills for more demanding driving. It allows drivers in small communities (3,500 people or less) to be licensed to drive along certain necessary routes, such as to grocery stores or medical facilities. Full details are available at the Secretary of State Web site.

Top Deadbeats Don't Drive

This cheerfully named program refers to the strict policies of the State of Illinois regarding the payment of child support and court judgments. Skipping out on either of these can result in the loss of your driving privilege. If child support payments are 90 days late, your license can be pulled. For more information, call the Secretary of State's Information Line at (217) 782-3720.

Top Child Safety Seats

All children need to be properly seated and restrained in the vehicle when you're driving. In the eyes of the law, a child is anyone 18 or younger (before January 1, 2006, a child was anyone 17 or younger).

For the driver of the car, this means that you must wear a lap belt and shoulder belt if both are available, or the lap belt alone in the back seat if no shoulder belt is provided. Younger children are subject to detailed restrictions, as described in these illustrated instructions. To list a few:

• Children younger than 8 years old must ride in an appropriate child restraint system. This includes rear-facing safety seats for infants, forward-facing convertible seats for toddlers, and booster seats.

• Children between 8 and 17 years of age must stay secured in properly adjusted seat belts no matter where they sit in the vehicle.

• Faliure to comply with these requirements may result in a $50 fine for a first offense, and $100 for subsequent violations.

Top Additional Information

The Illinois Secretary of State answers more commonly asked questions about getting and keeping your Illinois driver license.

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