The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is dedicating DMV services exclusively for teen drivers every Saturday during the summer at select facilities, Secretary Alexi Giannoulias announced earlier this month.
The Teen Summer DMV initiative, which includes opening 12 additional DMVs on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 1 to Aug. 31, will cater exclusively to helping teens get their drivers licenses or permits quickly and conveniently. The effort is part of Giannoulias’ modernization plan to create efficiencies and reduce wait times.
“Teen-only DMVs provide working parents, who can’t take time off work during the week to shuttle their child to a DMV, a convenient weekend option where they can make an appointment without waiting,” he said. “Getting your first driver’s license is an exciting milestone, and we want to ensure the experience is as easy as possible for Illinois teens and their parents.”
Teen service hours will be offered at the following locations: Addison, Aurora, Bethalto, Belvidere, Bridgeview, Chicago West; Des Plaines, Elgin, Joliet, Lake Zurich, Plano and St. Charles.
State law requires teen drivers and a parent or guardian to visit a DMV in person to complete testing and identity verification prior to receiving their first drivers license. Parents and teens can call (800) 252-8980 to schedule an appointment at any of the 12 DMV locations.
In addition to the Teen Summer DMVs, 15 other DMVs operate on Saturdays, including two of the largest facilities in the state located on the North and South sides of Chicago. Teens are welcome to make appointments at those facilities on Saturdays as well.
Teen drivers interested in obtaining their first license will be scheduled for 10-minute appointments if they have already completed the required behind-the-wheel driving tests through their high school or commercial driving facility. If they need to complete a driving test at a DMV, they will be scheduled for a 30-minute appointment. Teens who need driving permits can also schedule an appointment to take a written test.
Any unfilled appointments during teen service hours will become available to the general public at 7 a.m.
New drivers will need to bring the following to the DMV:
• their logbook for their instructional permit
• their blue and white road test waiver form from their high school if they have one
• their birth certificate
• their physical Social Security card
• two proofs of address forms, such as school transcripts or a parent’s drivers license or ID card
While teen drivers are not required to hold a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, they are encouraged to apply for one during these designated teen hours. A list of REAL ID requirements is available at http://www.realid.ilsos.gov.
