International Students: Getting A Driver's License In Chicago

Chicago is a transportation hub, with many options for getting around the city that don't require owning a car. However, if you're an international student in Chicago and are interested in driving, you have a few options. You may be able to drive on a valid foreign driver's license while legally a student in the US, or you could apply for a Temporary Visitor's Driver's License (TVDL). If you have a social security number, you may apply for a regular driver's license.

International students can drive in Illinois with a valid foreign driver's license

If you're an international student in Chicago, Illinois, and you want to drive, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, Chicago is a large city with a well-developed transportation system, so many residents, including students, choose not to own a car. However, if you do need to drive, here are your options:

International Students and Driving in Illinois:

International students in Illinois have three options for driving:

• Valid Foreign Driver's License: You can drive in Illinois with a valid driver's license from your own country while you are a student in the U.S. It is recommended that you carry your passport and a certified translation of your license with you when driving, to demonstrate your legal status and provide proof of your license in English.
• Regular Driver's License: If you have a Social Security Number (SSN), you can apply for a standard Illinois driver's license. You must be at least 16 years old and have completed an approved driver's education course or be at least 18 years old. You will need to present proper identification at a Secretary of State facility to verify your full name, date of birth, SSN, Illinois residency, and written signature.
• Temporary Visitor's Driver's License (TVDL): If you do not have an SSN, you can apply for a TVDL. To apply, you will need a letter from the Social Security Administration (Form L-676) stating that you are not eligible for an SSN.

Additional Requirements for Illinois Driver's Licenses:

Regardless of whether you apply for a standard Illinois driver's license or a TVDL, you will need to meet additional requirements, including:

• Completing a vision screening, written test, and road test.
• Providing acceptable identification documents, such as a bank statement, canceled check, letter on official school letterhead, tuition invoice, or official mail from a college or university.
• Providing proof of your address of residence.

It is important to note that an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an international driver's license is not valid in the State of Illinois.

For more information, you can refer to the Illinois Secretary of State website or contact the relevant authorities.

To get an Illinois driver's license, you must be at least 16 years old and have completed a driver's education course

If you're an international student in Chicago, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to getting a driver's license. Firstly, according to Illinois law, to get a driver's license, you must be at least 16 years old and have completed a driver's education course. If you're 18 to 20 years old and applying for your first Illinois driver's license, you must complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course through a Secretary of State-certified provider. This requirement is waived if you've previously completed a high school or commercial school driver education program.

International students in Illinois have a few options for driving legally. Firstly, if you have a valid foreign driver's license, you can use it to drive in Illinois while you're a student. This is also valid for your spouse and children living with you while attending an Illinois college or university. However, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is not considered valid in the state of Illinois. If you plan to drive using your foreign license, it is recommended to carry your passport and a certified translation of your license to ensure smooth communication with law enforcement.

If you wish to obtain an Illinois driver's license, there are a few options available. If you have a Social Security Number (SSN), you can apply for a regular Illinois driver's license. If you don't have an SSN, you can apply for a Temporary Visitor's Driver's License (TVDL). To obtain a TVDL, you must first visit the Social Security Administration to request a letter (Form L-676) stating that you are not eligible for an SSN.

It's worth noting that, as an international student, you may not need a car in Chicago. The city has an extensive public transportation system, and many residents, including students, do not own a car. Chicago is also quite walkable, and there are plenty of options for biking. However, if you do decide to drive, make sure you understand the local driving laws and regulations to ensure a safe and pleasant experience on Illinois roads.

If you are over 18 and a first-time driver, you must complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course

If you are an international student in Chicago and are looking to obtain a driver's license, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, as a large city, Chicago offers many alternative modes of transportation, such as buses, trains, taxis, bicycles, and rideshare services, so owning a car is not necessary for getting around. However, if you do wish to drive, there are a few requirements you must meet.

In addition to the driver education course, you must also complete a vision screening, a written test, and a road test to obtain your license. For the road test, you will need to bring a car driven by someone else, and the car must have up-to-date insurance and registration and meet all legal requirements, such as functioning signals. Before taking the road test, you may obtain an instruction permit, which will allow you to practice driving. To obtain the permit, you must visit one of the designated Driver Services facilities in Illinois, such as Bloomington, Carbondale, or Chicago North.

As an international student, you have a few options for driving in Illinois. Firstly, you can drive using a valid foreign driver's license while you are legally a student in the U.S. Alternatively, if you have a Social Security Number, you can apply for a regular Illinois driver's license. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you can apply for a Temporary Visitor's Driver's License (TVDL). To apply for a TVDL, you will need to visit the Social Security Administration and request a letter stating that you are not eligible for an SSN (Form L-676). Keep in mind that an International Driving License is not valid in the State of Illinois.

You can apply for a Temporary Visitor's Driver's License (TVDL) if you don't have a social security number

International students have multiple options for driving in Chicago, Illinois. If you do not have a social security number, you can apply for a Temporary Visitor's Driver's License (TVDL). The process for obtaining a TVDL is outlined on the Illinois Secretary of State website.

Firstly, you must be at least 16 years old and have completed an approved driver education course. If you are 18, 19, or 20 years old and have never been licensed, you must complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course through a Secretary of State-certified provider.

Secondly, you must present proper identification at a Secretary of State facility. This includes verifying your full name, date of birth, Illinois residency, and written signature. Acceptable forms of identification include a bank statement, cancelled check, letter on official school letterhead, tuition invoice, or official mail from a college or university. Your address of residence must be included in these documents.

Thirdly, you must successfully complete a vision screening, written test, and road test. To obtain an instruction permit and practice driving before the road exam, you must visit one of the designated Driver Services facilities in Bloomington, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago North, Chicago West, Macomb, Rockford, or Springfield.

It is important to note that a social security number is not required to obtain an Illinois driver's license. However, if you are eligible for an SSN, you must apply for and receive it before applying for a state driver's license. Additionally, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is not valid in the State of Illinois, but you may drive in Illinois with a valid foreign driver's license during your stay as a student.

You must pass a vision screening, written test, and road test to get your license

International students have a few options for driving in Illinois. If you are a first-time driver, you must be at least 16 years old and have completed a driver's education course. If you are 18 or older, you do not need to have completed a driver's education course. In addition, you must present proper identification at a Secretary of State facility to verify your full name, date of birth, social security number, Illinois residency, and written signature.

If you are an international student, you have three options for driving in Illinois. First, you may drive on a valid foreign driver's license while you are a student in the US. Second, if you have a social security number, you may apply for a regular driver's license. Third, if you do not have a social security number, you may apply for a Temporary Visitor's Driver's License (TVDL). To apply for a TVDL, you will need to visit the Social Security Administration to request a letter stating that you are not eligible for an SSN, which is known as Form L-676.

Regardless of which option you choose, you must pass a vision screening, written test, and road test to get your license. The vision screening will ensure that you meet the minimum visual acuity standards required to drive. The written test will assess your knowledge of the rules of the road, traffic signs, and driving safety. The road test will evaluate your driving skills and ability to operate a vehicle safely.

If you are a first-time Illinois driver's license applicant and are between the ages of 18 and 20, you must complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course through a Secretary of State-certified provider before obtaining a license. This course will teach you the rules of the road and help you develop the skills necessary to pass the written and road tests.

Frequently asked questions