State-Approved Courses

In some cases, you may be eligible to attend online or classroom-based traffic school courses to improve your driving record and thus prevent your license from being suspended. However, traffic school eligibility requirements vary based on the nature of your offense and how many previous convictions you have had.

To learn more about attending traffic school, and the schools approved by Illinois, call the Illinois Driver Services Department at (800) 252-8980 or (312) 793-1010.

Traffic Tickets

If you're like many Illinois motorists, you may be concerned how traffic tickets will affect your driving record.

Typically, tickets for infractions such as speeding or improper lane usage will remain on your record for up to five years after the date of conviction, regardless of traffic school. However, the offense will remain for seven years if it forms the basis of a license suspension.

Insurance Discounts

Contact your insurance provider to find out if attending traffic school will make you eligible for a discount on auto insurance rates.

Traffic School for Teen Drivers

Illinois, like many other states, has a graduated licensing system for teen drivers. As part of this system, drivers under the age of 21 must attend traffic school if they are ticketed for a moving violation.

Attending traffic school is very important because Illinois graduated licensing law also states that the drivers' licenses of those under age 21 will be suspended for each additional conviction for two moving violations in a 24-month period following the initial suspension.

Traffic School for Older Drivers

While young drivers need to compensate for a lack of experience, the physical changes associated with aging place older drivers at risk as well. However, completing an 8-hour course in defensive driving and traffic safety can help drivers older than 55 get the skills they need while qualifying for a reduction in auto insurance rates. Visit the AARP website to locate a course in your area.

Additional Traffic Safety Presentations

The Driver Services Department believes that education is the key to helping Illinois residents stay safe while driving. As part of its commitment to traffic safety, the department offers a number of educational presentations. For example:

• Youth traffic safety presentations for students in kindergarten through third grade stress bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as the proper behavior for riding on a school bus.

• Middle school traffic safety classes build on the basic foundation of safe behavior, plus add a discussion of the consequences of drinking and driving.

• Teen drinking and driving presentations discuss the Illinois graduated licensing law and the consequences for teens who drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.

• Adult drinking and driving presentations stress awareness of this public health hazard, plus tips for preventing a loved one from getting behind the wheel after drinking.

To request a traffic safety program for your school or community organization, complete the Secretary of State Traffic Safety Program Request Form.

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