How to Find Defensive Driving Courses in Illinois
If eligible, an Illinois defensive driving course could help you avoid a traffic conviction, so long as it is approved by the sentencing court.
Written by Jason Tushinski
So long as the sentencing court grants you permission, taking an Illinois defensive driving course may help you stave off a traffic conviction. Taking a course can also help you get a discount on your
car insurance
.In Illinois, if you accrue enough points on your driving record due to traffic violations, your license could be suspended—or, in particularly egregious cases, revoked. Depending on the traffic violation and the county you were cited in, you may be able to take a defensive driving course to avoid conviction.
Taking a defensive driving course in Illinois could…
…help you avoid a traffic conviction
Depending on the traffic violation and the county issuing the violation, you may be able to take an approved defensive driving course to avoid conviction. You’ll have to check with
the county issuing the citation
whether this option is available. Ask for a list of approved schools, too.If this is an option, you’ll need to request permission from the court. Do so as early as possible, ensuring that any application forms and fees are received no later than five business days before a court date.
If you’re looking to take a defensive driving course to avoid a traffic conviction, you’ll need to ensure your eligibility. Most Illinois drivers will be eligible unless they meet any of the following disqualifying conditions:
- Your citation states “Must Appear in Court”
- You have already attended a driver safety course within the past 12 months
- You hold a commercial driver’s license
- You are a driver with two court supervisions within the last 12 months
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…earn you an insurance discount
Depending on your insurer, Illinois drivers may be able to take a defensive driving course to
get a discount on their car insurance policy
. If you’d like to take a course to snag an insurance discount, you’ll want to follow these steps:- Get in touch with your insurer and ask about your discount eligibility
- If eligible, find a defensive driving course that is approved by your insurance company
- Pass the course and send your certificate of completion to your insurer
That said, not every defensive driving course taken in Illinois will qualify you for a break on your car insurance policy. For instance, State Farm offers some of its Illinois policyholders the chance to save on car insurance via a defensive driving course through the
Illinois chapter of the National Safety Council
(NSC). These are the eligibility requirements:- Must be at least 55 years of age
- Be taking the course voluntarily (not ordered to do so by a court)
- Be a principal driver of a private passenger car
…improve your driving skills
When taking a defensive driving course, you’ll go over the basics of traffic laws, safe driving, and defensive driving strategies. If you opt for an online defensive driving course, you’ll engage with videos, quizzes, and animations to test your knowledge. An in-person course will usually involve hands-on experience, group discussions, and other activities.
You can improve your driving skills by taking any type of driver training course. This will help you avoid accidents and traffic citations while staying safe on the road.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversTaking a defensive driving course in Illinois will not
…reduce points on your record
If you’re issued a traffic citation in Illinois, that citation will carry a minimum of 5 points to a maximum of 50 points, depending on the severity of the violation. Taking a defensive driving course in Illinois will not reduce the number of points on your driving record.
Typically, points in Illinois are removed from your driving record after five years, so long as you don’t have additional violations during those five years.
Your license can be suspended in Illinois after acquiring 15 points, while a revocation can be imposed with more than 110 points on your record.
…help you get your license back
If your license is suspended in Illinois, taking a defensive driving course will not help you get your license back. You’ll have to pay a reinstatement fee of either $75, $250, or $500 depending on the length of your suspension.
How to find Illinois defensive driving courses
Finding a defensive driving course in Illinois won’t be hard—but be sure to check with your county whether you are eligible to take a course first.
If you’re looking for a discount on your insurance policy, check with your carrier first to ensure you are eligible for such a discount.
If you’re looking to improve your defensive driving skills, check with reputable sources such as the National Safety Council or organizations such as
DriveSafe Online
or iDriveSafely
. Courses usually range between one to eight hours in length, depending on whether you are looking to improve your driving or you’ve been ordered to attend traffic school by a county court.
How much is a defensive driving course in Illinois?
Depending on where the course is offered, its length, and whether it is in-person or online, course prices typically range between $25 to $100.
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