Students will need to meet the following requirements before applying for an Illinois instruction permit:

• Must be 15 years old
• Must be registered in an approved driver's education program and have proof of enrollment (provided by Excel on the second or third day of class)

Note: It is also recommended that students complete the first two sessions of their Excel course before applying for their permit, as they are prepped for the written test during those first two classes. 

When applying for a permit, students will also need to bring the following documentation: 

• Proof of name and date of birth (certified or original copy of birth certificate or passport)
• Proof of residency (something with student's name and address)
• Proof of signature (social security card, passport, etc)
• Permit application/proof of enrollment (provided by Excel via standard mail once a student has enrolled into a course)
• Permit Fee: $20.00 (also covers cost of the license)

Students who attended virtual classes sessions and need to makeup a missed session will be required to do so in person at an Excel facility. See below on how to schedule makeup sessions: 

Online scheduling has been disabled. Student will be priortized based on their eligibility date to obtain their license (eligibility is based on being 16 AND holding a permit for 9 months). We appreciate your understanding, and want to assure you that Excel will make every effort to complete your driving time before you are eligible to apply for you license, barring any additional setbacks. (Students are allowed, and encouraged, to drive with their parents once an Instruction permit is obtained). Students who have obtained their permits are encouraged to log into their student portal and select an instructor/driving coach after they have had some practice time with parents. To do so, please follow the instructions below:

1. Log into your student portal at www.exceldrivingschool.com (Note: the username is the student email address provided at registration)
2. Once logged in, select “BEHIND THE WHEEL” on the left hand side
3. Next, select the "SCHEDULE SESSION" tab
4. From there, please add your permit information and select a behind the wheel Instructor (Note: Leave the "General Availability" section blank, as it is not needed at this time)
5. Click SUBMIT. 
6. On the next page, you should see your Instructor's contact details. Information on how to schedule behind the wheel lessons will be listed in their "Biography/Interests" section. Please reach out to them or the scheduling coordinator directly via TEXT to schedule your behind the wheel sessions.
   • Note: It may take instructors up to 72 hours to respond to messages. 
   • Home pickup is complimentary and not guaranteed, and is based on zip codes and availability

As of June 11, 2021, any students who HAVE NOT completed at least one behind the wheel hour with an instructor will be be required to complete their observation time, if the selected package requires.

Student who HAVE completed at least one behind the wheel session on or before June 10, 2021 have the option to continue to forgo the observation time in their package, if they choose.

Further details can be provided by instructors when scheduling. 

Home pickup will be temporarily suspended to maximize availability. All behind the wheel sessions will originate and end at an Excel facility. Instructors will give further details when scheduling.

The following safety protocols have been instated for all behind the wheel sessions until further notice:

• All students and instructors will be required to wear cloth a face mask during the entirety of behind the wheel lessons. Students are required to bring their own face mask
• All vehicles will be wiped down with disinfectant spray before each lesson begins. Areas to be wiped down include: door frame/handles, windows, seatbelt, seatbelt buckles, steering console, steering wheel, turn signal, gearshift, dashboard, parking brake and any other vehicle parts that have been touched by the student and/or instructor
• All students will be provided with an individual sealed hand sanitizing packet to sanitize their hands before entering the vehicle
• When weather permits, behind the wheel sessions will be conducted with the windows open, to create airflow and minimize the spread of germs
• Refraining the use of the re-circulated air option for the car’s ventilation during student drives

They must turn 15 by the final day of the course. Example: If the class starts January 1st and ends February 17th, students may enroll in the course as long as they turn 15 by February 17th. 

The Illinois Secretary of State requirements are all based on what age a person is applying for their license. Students who are looking to obtain a license before they turn 18 must show proof of the following:

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Must have held a valid Instruction Permit for a minimum of 9 months.
• Must have completed 50 hours of practice driving with parents/legal guardians (or with someone who is at least 21 years old, has had their license for at least one year, and is approved by the minor's parents/legal guardians)
• Completion of an approved driver's education program that consists of a minimum of:
  • 30 Hours of classroom instruction
  • 6 Hours of behind the wheel time
  • 6 Hours of in-car observation time (student observes another student drive)
  • **Note: Students who wish to limit or forgo observation time can do so by adding addtional behind the wheel time. The Illinois Secretary of State allows students to eliminate 3 hours of observation time for every extra hour of driving time added to the above requirements. 

Teens under the age of 18 are required to drive 50 hours with a licensed driver over the age of 21 who has had their license for over a year. 40 hours should be completed during daylight and 10 hours should be completed at night.  Your driving hours with an instructor may not count towards the 50 unless you purchase extra hours after the original package hours are completed. 

Absolutely. All Instructors are certified through the Secretary of State, including extensive training and background checks. 

We accept cash, check and all major credit/debit cards.

A deposit of $100 is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance is due 14 days after the start date of the class, however, students/parents who need to pay in installments can do so without penalties. Balance must be paid in full before any behind the wheel time can be scheduled. 

Students who fail to give at least 24 hours notice to their instructor when missing a scheduled driving/behind the wheel appointment will forfeit that lesson. If that lesson is needed to meet the minimum requirement, or if the student wishes to complete that lesson, an additional lesson will need to be purchased. 

Any refunds given will be less a $25 service fee.

Students are allowed 4 absences during the duration of their class, HOWEVER, all missed classes must be made up. If a student misses more than 4 days, the state law requires that students must start the course over. 

You can sign up for a make-up session by logging into your account and clicking on the tab labeled “classes.” After the session is missed, the class will be highlighted in red with a button that says "schedule make-up." There are two ways to make up, In-Class or Independent Study. **you must miss the class before scheduling the make up session

Independent Study: Students work independently at an Excel facility and complete assigned tasks based on the session/material missed. 

In-Class Make Up: Students schedule and attend the original session they missed and join the on going class to complete necessary material. 

Forms can be printed from our website once your student logs into their profile. Select the header labeled “forms” and click on the title of each form to download a printable version.

If you do not remember the password or username for your student portal, please contact your account manager. If you need additional assistance, please call our main office at 630.983.9235.

Excel will help prepare your student for the written test by having them take a practice permit test on the second day of class. This is NOT the offical exam. The offical written exam is administered at any full service DMV. Once your student passes the written and vision exams at the DMV, they are issued a learners permit. 

Behind-the-wheel sessions can be booked directly through the student portal. To do so, please follow the instructions below:

1. Log into your student portal at www.exceldrivingschool.com (Note: the username is the student email address provided at registration)
2. Once logged in, select “BEHIND THE WHEEL” on the left hand side
3. Next, select the "SCHEDULE SESSION" tab
4. From there, please add your permit information and select a behind the wheel Instructor (Note: Leave the "General Availability" section blank, as it is not needed at this time)
5. Click SUBMIT. 
6. On the next page, you should see your Instructor's contact details listed. Please reach out to them via TEXT to schedule your behind the wheel sessions.
   • Note:
     • It may take instructors up to 72 hours to respond to messages. 
     • Home pickup has been suspended until further notice, so all behind the wheel sessions will originate and end from an Excel Driving School facility.  

Students may switch their behind the wheel instructor at anytime by calling the main office at 630.983.9235.

• Proof of name and date of birth (certified or original copy of birth certificate or passport)
• Proof of residency (something with student's name and address)
• Proof of signature (social security card, passport, ect)
• Permit application from a certified driving school
• Permit Fee: $20.00 (also covers cost of the license)

• Social Security Card
• Original or Certified copy of birth certificate
• 2 documents proving residency
• Original copy of permit
• Valid insurance and registration for vehicle
• Completed 50 hours form
• Letter from Secretary of State's office
  • This can include confirmation of completion via cyberdriveillinois.com

Once they are enrolled in our program there are two options:

1. You may pick up a permit application 30 days before class begins and take your student to the DMV. This is a good option if your student is at least 15 and 3 months.  In order to obtain the permit they must be 15 and be able to pass the written and vision tests. ** You MUST come to the main office in Naperville to receive this document.

2. On the second day of class your student will take a practice permit test. Upon passing the exam they will be given the permit application. As long as your student is 15, they can obtain their permit by passing the vision and written exams at the DMV. 

Log in to your student’s account and check their “Status” under Student Details. If their status is “Complete”, and you see the word "SENT" listed next to your student's name, everything has been sent to the State’s office and you may start checking the status at https://apps.ilsos.gov/deccheck/.

If their status is “Incomplete”, it's most likely because we are missing a form, a class needs to be made up, or there is still a balance on the account. If the status says “Active”, it is most likely because they have not completed some portion of the behind the wheel or observation requirement.

If you are unsure of why your paperwork has not been submitted to the Secretary of State for certification, please give us a call at 630.983.9235.

Scroll down to the box that says “Online Services” and click on “Drivers Education Course Completion Check.” Enter in your student Drivers License/Permit Number and click submit. 

https://www.ilsos.gov/deccheck/

We sure do. Adult behind the wheel lessons start at $75 per hour. Packages are available as well for students needing multiple lessons. 

Excel recommends initally registering for the 1 Hour Behind the Wheel Assessment to let the driving coach evaluate your skill set and determine how many lessons you may need. 

When registering for Adult Behind the Wheel lessons, please note that while we will make every effort to accomodate preferred lessons times, and to try to get your lessons started as qickly as possible, most driving coaches schedule lessons about month or so in advance, so we cannot guarantee that a driving coach will be available at the time requested. Please check with a customer service agent before registering, if your availability is limited. 

See "Refunds" regarding any purchased lessons that go unused. 

Great question. Each person is unique in their abilities to pick up a new skill. That being said, the average adult student usually completes around 6 hours with a driving coach before applying for their license. We find our adult students to be most successful when they have a friend or family member to practice with, in addition to lessons with one of our driving coaches.   

To be eligible for their license they must take a 6 hour adult course (if they did not take the 30 hours of classroom instruction before they turned 18). Once the student is 18, there is no driving requirement, but they must obtain a Permit from the DMV before they apply for their license. They will receive information about obtaining the permit during the 6 hour course.  

Absolutely. Although this class is geared toward students between the ages of 18 and 20, this class may help you learn the Rules of the Road and prepare you for the Permit test at the DMV.    

Any refunds for unused lessons will be less a $25 service fee.

No worries, we are here to help! We offer the "Graduate to Safety" 4 Hour Remedial Class once a month, typically on the second Saturday of the month, out of our Main Office in North Naperville. Once the class is completed, we will send your information to the Secretary of State’s office so you may get your license reinstated. 

Please bring the letter you received stating you must take the Graduate To Safety Remedial Course. If you can not find this letter, please bring something that contains your Driver’s License number.