Welcome to Illinois' Driving University!

Auto Insurance

Driving may see m like a safe activity, but it's actually rather risky. Most people manage to get through the driving they need to do each day without incident. However, every year millions of Americans are involved in auto accidents. Since driving is an inherently dangerous activity, the state of Illinois requires that drivers protect themselves and others by purchasing auto insurance. Read more...

Defensive Driving

Illinois defensive driving classes promote road safety by educating drivers about safe driving skills and techniques. By promoting awareness of the importance of driving defensively and then giving drivers the skills to make it happen, these classes provide a valuable public service. For example, a court-ordered study of Lake County's defensive driving program found that over the span of a decade, drivers that took a defensive driving class were 8 times less likely to be involved in an accident compared to drivers that did not take the course. They were also 10 times less likely to be arrested for a moving violation than drivers who had taken the course were. Read more...

Drivers Ed

As we grow up, there are many life lessons we pick up on our own. However, driving is not one of them. To assist teens in gaining the knowledge they need to become safe, responsible drivers, Illinois requires that they take a driver's ed class before they can become licensed. Read more...

Driving Record

Your Illinois driving record is an extremely important document. The information that shows up on your driving record can influence your insurance rates, affect your current or future employment, and even determine whether or not you get to maintain your driving privileges! Also, Illinois driving records are public records. Anyone can order a copy of yours, and although they would not be able to get personal information such as your home address, they can still see your driving history, including any accidents or violations. Read more...

Driving Safety

Driving in Illinois can be an enchanting experience. From the quiet river valleys to the bustling big cities, a drive through the heartland is an incredible experience. However, driving in Illinois also presents its own unique set of challenges. In order to combat these challenges, you need to practice defensive driving techniques. Simply knowing how to operate your vehicle is not enough-you have to know how to drive defensively. Read more...

DMV

Every state has a specific department that handles issues related to driving, such as licensing drivers and registering vehicles. Without this regulation and oversight, the nation's roads would be in chaos. In many states, these functions are handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Motor Vehicle Commission, but in Illinois, they are handled by the Secretary of State's office. Read more...

DWI/DUI

Unless you've been living in a cave for the past decade or so, you are probably aware that drunken driving is both dangerous and illegal. Over the past several years, laws regarding drinking and driving have tightened and penalties have increased nationwide. Illinois is no different. Of course, there's a reason the laws against driving under the influence (DUI) are so strict. Drinking and driving can have deadly consequences, and all too often it's innocent bystanders who suffer them, rather than the drunk driver. Here is what you need to be aware of in order to stay safe and legal behind the wheel of a vehicle in Illinois. Read more...

Red Light Cameras

We tend to think of traffic control as a modern-day problem, but it's actually quite ancient. According to the book Ancient Transportation by Michael and Mary Woods, traffic was such a major problem in the city of Imperial Rome that complete gridlock was a fairly common occurrence. Imagine a modern-day traffic jam, only instead of cars, picture chariots, ox-drawn carts, men on horseback...you get the idea. To make matters worse, the Romans did not have traffic signals. They invented stop signs and one way streets, but of course they did not have the technology to set up traffic lights. Read more...

Speeding Tickets

The government of Illinois has been setting speed limits since before automobiles became the preferred method of transportation. In fact, the earliest Illinois speed limits were actually for livestock crossing over bridges-riders and drivers were required to slow the animals down to a walk for safety's sake. The first speed limit law relating to automobiles became effective in 1903. Read more...

Traffic Court

Nobody likes going to court. It's time-consuming, a little intimidating, and it can be expensive. However, if you get a traffic ticket in Illinois, you will have to get the issue resolved with an Illinois traffic court. If you do have to go to traffic court in Illinois, it's a good idea to know a little bit about how the court system operates. Read more...