Do You Need Car Insurance With a Learner's Permit in Illinois?

What Is a Driver's Permit?

Every state has a slightly different permit process and requirements. In Illinois, a teen driver between the ages of 15 and 17 can apply for an instruction permit if they meet all of the following criteria listed below.

• Providing the required identification documents

• Surrendering any non-Illinois IDs

• Passing a vision and written exam

• Paying the fee

• Providing proof of current or immediate enrollment with an approved driver education instructor

In Illinois, a licensed adult of at least 21 years old must supervise the new driver. They may apply for a driver's license at age 16, once they've completed the required amount of practice hours.

Illinois Insurance Requirements for Permit Drivers

Illinois has no separate insurance category for instruction permits. The permit holder must be an insured driver on the vehicle the permit holder operates. Every Illinois auto policy must include the following coverage:

Liability coverage of 25/50/20: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $20,000 property damage.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage of 25/50: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Illinois requires this coverage on every policy issued in the state.

A permit driver meets these requirements when the policyholder adds the permit driver to the policy that covers the household vehicle. Illinois checks compliance electronically. The Illinois Insurance Verification System (ILIVS) verifies the liability policy on every registered vehicle at least twice a year. A second failed check triggers a suspension notice with a 30-day window to prove coverage.

How Car Insurance Applies to Drivers With a Permit

How do you apply for car insurance for a driver with a learner's permit? Thankfully, it doesn't require taking out an entirely new car insurance policy. Simply contact the insurance provider and add the teenager to the policy.

Once added, they can drive any vehicle covered by the same car insurance policy. Keep in mind the following considerations.

Adding a Learner's Permit Holder May Increase Insurance Premiums

Whether or not adding a teen driver raises car insurance premiums is a complicated question. Several factors determine the decision, including the following:

• Age: A 15-year-old driver is more likely to raise auto insurance rates than an older teen.

• Type of Vehicle: Adding a new driver to a sports car or classic vehicle may require paying a higher monthly premium.

• Location: Living in an area with high crime or heavy traffic makes it more likely the company will increase rates when you add a new driver.

Illinois drivers pay on average about $602 per year for minimum coverage and $1,189 per year for full coverage. Those figures are the adult, clean-record baseline. The insurer adds the teen surcharge on top of that baseline once the teen is licensed. The discounts in the separate-policy section below reduce that surcharge.

Adding the teen to the policy also costs less than the fines for driving without insurance in Illinois. The car insurance section above lists those fines.

They Can Drive With Other Insured Adults

Do permit drivers need insurance in Illinois? Yes, but what happens if they're driving with an adult that doesn't live in the household?

For example, imagine grandma comes to visit from Indiana and wants to see how well her favorite grandchild drives.

Depending on her insurance company, she may not need to add the teenager to her policy if she's only supervising a few driving sessions. Regardless, Grandma still needs a valid license.

The adult should add the learner's permit holder to their auto insurance policy, even if it's only for a day or two. Its better to be safe than sorry, especially with a new driver.

Consider Increasing Coverage

Even teenagers with the best intentions make impulsive decisions, especially when they're still learning to drive.

Apart from collisions and accidents, they could leave the keys in the car or park in an undesirable neighborhood. Consider increasing your coverage to help moderate the higher risk to the vehicle.

Insurance Companies May Have Different Policies

Every auto insurance company has slightly different policies when it comes to adding a new driver. Don't hesitate to obtain a new quote, shop around for better rates, and look for applicable discounts.

If you've maintained a good relationship with the insurance agent, they may go out of their way to avoid rate increases.

Can a Permit Driver Get Their Own Policy?

No, in most cases. Most insurers do not sell a standalone policy to a driver who holds only an instruction permit. A parent's insurance policy also costs less than a separate policy. Many insurance companies do not raise the premium until the teen is fully licensed.

A separate policy makes sense only when the permit holder is an adult with no insured household member. For example, a 25-year-old learning to drive who owns a car needs a separate policy. In that case, some insurers write a policy that lists a licensed co-driver.

Ask about good-student and driver's-education discounts when you add a teen to the policy. Completing an approved driver's education course and keeping a B average commonly earn discounts on the young-driver surcharge.

How a Clean Driving Record Keeps Teen Insurance Rates Down

A clean record is the fastest way to lower a young driver's premium year over year. Illinois sets a stricter point threshold for teens. A driver under 21 faces a license suspension after 2 point-carrying convictions within 24 months. An adult driver faces a suspension after 3 convictions within 12 months. The 5 tips below help a permit holder start with a clean record.

Model Good Behavior

If you want a new driver to operate a vehicle safely, they need a good role model. For example, when a parent checks their texts while driving, can they fault their teenage driver for doing it, too? Remember to exemplify the following good habits:

• Wear your seat belt.

• Use the turn signal at an appropriate distance before turning.

• Don't use the phone even when stopped at a red light.

• Drive the speed limit and prioritize staying in the right lane.

• Leave ample distance between cars, and don't stop at the last minute.

• Drive defensively rather than aggressively.

Practice More Than Required

Do permit drivers need insurance in Illinois? Yes, and during the learner's permit phase, they also must accrue at least 50 supervised driving hours, 10 of which must occur as nighttime driving. However, don't settle for the absolute minimum.

The more driving practice driving sessions a teen has, the lower the risk of accidents. Go out of your way to get more than just the 50 hours required by the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State requires drivers to fill out a log of their practice hours.

They require following information listed below.

• Date

• Practice Location

• Weather conditions

• Total time divided between day, nighttime driving, and grand totals

• The adult instructor's initials

Fill out the form accurately and never exaggerate the numbers.

Slowly Increase their Driving Privileges

When new drivers don't have much practice, parents shouldn't allow them to drive on the highway right away.

They should get the right amount of practice before getting into difficult driving situations. They're not a bird you're pushing out of the nest.

Start the driving privileges by navigating the car through an empty parking lot. Then, move to more crowded spaces and residential streets.

When the driver feels confident and capable, guide them through more difficult situations like high-traffic or high-speed streets.

Keep the Vehicle in Excellent Condition

While distracted driving remains the primary cause of teenage driving accidents, vehicle condition matters too. Tires without enough air, broken taillights, or an overheating engine can all panic a new driver.

Regular maintenance and oil changes keep the vehicle in peak condition and prevent it from breaking down on the side of the road.

Brush Up on Illinois Driving Laws and Guidelines

It's likely Illinois driving laws have changed since obtaining your license. It's also likely you've forgotten some of the more nuanced guidelines.

By staying updated on all the current laws, an adult can better guide the new driver to maintain a clean driving record.

Shop for the Best Illinois Auto Insurance Rates Today

Do permit drivers need auto insurance in Illinois? At Insurance Navy, our excellent service helps parents and new drivers find the best auto insurance policy with the lowest rates. You'll obtain accurate insurance quotes up-front. Get a free Car insurance quote for teen drivers today!

Are you ready for the lowest possible insurance premiums? We have 25 convenient locations in Illinois. You can also shop online or call 888-949-6289.