Online driving schools in Illinois typically take 6-8 hours to complete. The exact length depends on a few factors:
Age Requirements
In Illinois, there are different driving school requirements based on your age:
- If you’re under 18, you must complete a 30-hour classroom driver’s ed course. This is only offered by in-person driving schools.
- If you’re 18-20, you can take a 6-hour online or classroom course to get your license.
- If you’re 21 and older, you’re not required to take drivers ed. But you can choose to take a 6-hour online defensive driving course.
So the length of online driving school depends on if you’re 18-20 or 21 and over. For adults 21+, it’s typically 6 hours. For teens 18-20, in-person driver’s ed is required.
6-Hour Online Defensive Driving Course
Many online driving schools in Illinois offer a 6-hour defensive driving course. This meets the requirement for adults 18-20 to get their license. It also allows drivers 21+ to get insurance discounts by taking voluntary defensive driving.
These 6-hour online courses are broken down into modules or chapters. Each module takes around 30-60 minutes to complete. There are typically 5-10 modules.
Some examples of topicks covered in the 6-hour defensive driving course include:
- Safe driving strategies
- Recognizing and preventing dangers
- Dealing with distractions
- Aggressive and impaired driving
- Vehicle safety features
- Traffic laws and regulations
Most schools allow you to complete the course at your own pace over a 90-day period. So you can work through the materials and quizzes until you pass.
8-Hour Online Traffic School
If you get a traffic ticket in Illinois, an 8-hour online traffic school course is often required. Judges may order traffic violators to complete this as part of a plea bargain agreement.
These 8-hour traffic school courses cover topics like:
- Causes of accidents
- DUI prevention
- Making safe driving decisions
- Sharing the road
- Traffic laws
Completing traffic school can prevent getting points on your license or having your insurance rates go up. Most online traffic schools divide the course into 5-10 chapters you work through at your own pace.
Shorter 3-4 Hour Courses
Some online driving schools offer shorter defensive driving courses. These are typically 3-4 hours long. They cover the basics of safe driving techniques and preventing accidents.
Shorter courses don’t meet the 6 hour requirements for teens or traffic violators in Illinois. But they can still provide a good driving refresher. Some insurance companies also offer their own 3-4 defensive driving courses.
Factors That Affect Course Length
While most Illinois online driver’s ed courses are 6-8 hours, there are some factors that can make the course longer or shorter:
- Detailed content – If the course has a lot of in-depth information, videos, and supplemental materials, it may take longer to get through.
- Quizzes – Frequent quizzes and tests may increase the time it takes to finish.
- Simulators – Some schools include optional driving simulators. These add time but provide good practice.
- Course pacing – Schools that allow you to complete lessons at your own pace give you more flexibility.
- Supplemental options – Additional lesson modules, videos, practice tests, etc. can increase the course length.
The best online driving schools tailor the curriculum to your state laws and defensive driving needs. Look for courses with 6+ hours of content, flexible pacing, and supplemental resources.
Benefits of Longer Online Driving Courses
Longer online driving school courses that take 6-8 hours have several benefits compared to shorter courses:
- Covers material more thoroughly
- Allows you to learn at your own pace
- Can access supplemental resources like videos and simulators
- Meets Illinois requirements for adults under 21
- May qualify you for insurance discounts after completion
The longer timeframe and amount of information learned in 6-8 hour driving courses better prepares you to pass your exam and drive safely.
Tips for Completing Long Online Driving Schools
Here are some tips to help you complete longer 6+ hour online driving school courses:
- Set aside uninterrupted time – Don’t try to multitask. Focus fully on the course.
- Take breaks – Break up lessons instead of doing it all in one sitting.
- Take notes – Write down main points to retain info better.
- Do supplemental resources – Take advantage of extra videos, simulators, etc.
- Ask questions – Many schools offer chat support if you need help.
- Review quizzes – See which questions you missed to identify weak areas.
Allow enough time to complete the full course. But don’t rush through it either. Absorbing the material at a steady pace leads to maximum learning.
Cost of Online Driving Schools in Illinois
Online driving school courses in Illinois typically cost $40-$75. Here are the average prices:
| Course Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 6-hour defensive driving | $50 |
| 8-hour traffic school | $75 |
| 3-4 hour defensive driving | $40 |
Some factors that affect cost include:
- Course length – Longer courses cost more
- Supplemental features – Simulators, videos, etc. raise cost
- School’s reputation – Premium schools charge more
- Discounts – Look for coupons and group discounts
- State requirements – Mandatory courses may cost more
While price varies between schools, the average is around $50 for a standard 6-hour defensive driving course in Illinois.
Choosing the Best Online Driving School
When choosing an online driving school in Illinois, look for:
- Approval by the state – Make sure they meet Illinois requirements
- Positive reviews – Check third-party sites like Trustpilot
- Length – 6+ hours is ideal
- Supplemental resources – Videos, simulators, etc.
- Mobile access – Tablet and smartphone friendly
- Discount options – Look for coupons or group rates
- Clear course structure – Organized lessons and quizzes
- Support – Email, phone, chat contact options
A few of the top-rated online driving schools in Illinois include Aceable, DriversEd.com, and Comedy Driving School.
Conclusion
In summary, most online driving schools in Illinois take 6-8 hours to complete. The course length depends on factors like your age, course content, and supplemental resources.
Longer 6-8 hour courses allow you to learn at your own pace and cover material thoroughly. This provides maximum preparation for passing your exam and becoming a safe driver.
When choosing a driving school, look for one approved by the state that offers 6+ hours of content, flexible pacing, and additional driving resources. Investing the time in quality online driver’s education is worth the effort.