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SB 1800

VEH CD-PERMIT 15+ Y/O

104th Regular Session Introduced by Ram Villivalam

Expands 15+ permit eligibility: allows issuance of an instruction permit with school or teacher permission, not solely enrollment in an approved driver education course.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 1800

Summary — SB 1800 (Vehicle Code: instruction permits for 15‑year‑olds)

Bill number: SB 1800 (Illinois)
Primary sponsor: Sen. Ram Villivalam
Statutory citation amended: 625 ILCS 5/6‑103 (Illinois Vehicle Code)
Short title / subject: Vehicle Code — instruction permit eligibility for 15+ year olds

Purpose

SB 1800 amends Section 6‑103 of the Illinois Vehicle Code to broaden the circumstances under which the Secretary of State may issue an instruction permit to a minor aged 15 or older. The core change permits issuance based on permission from a driver education teacher or school administrator at a school that offers an approved driver education course, instead of requiring that the child be enrolled in such a course.

Key provisions

  • Replaces the current enrollment‑based requirement with a permission‑based standard: an instruction permit may be issued to a child who is at least 15 years of age if the child receives permission from a driver education teacher or an administrator from a school offering an approved driver education course (rather than only if the child is enrolled in the approved course).
  • Retains existing related exceptions and provisions elsewhere in the section (for example, provisions concerning issuance at older ages, adult driver education requirements, motorcycle training, medical and disciplinary disqualifications, and other licensing restrictions).
  • Amends only Section 6‑103 language; it does not create new fees, curricula, or certification processes in the text shown.

Who would be affected

  • Teenagers aged 15 (and their parents/guardians) who seek instruction permits.
  • Driver education teachers and school administrators (who would provide the permission required).
  • Secretary of State’s Office (administration and verification of permissions).
  • Driver training programs and commercial driving schools (possible downstream effects on enrollment).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased flexibility and potentially broader access to instruction permits for 15‑year‑olds whose schools offer driver education but who are not formally enrolled.
  • Administrative impacts for the Secretary of State in verifying teacher/administrator permission statements.
  • Possible effects on enrollment patterns for approved driver education courses; safety and training advocates may weigh whether permission‑based issuance affects the quality or oversight of early driver training.
  • The bill amends existing statutory language rather than establishing detailed procedural rules; implementation details (forms, verification, safeguards) would be determined by the Secretary of State or supporting rulemaking.

Legislative status / history (selected)

  • Introduced: early Feb 2025 (introduced 2/5/2025 per version text).
  • Referred to Assignments and Transportation committees; multiple committee actions and committee substitutes followed.
  • April 29, 2025: listed as “Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 1545 (Ch. 2025‑188)” — indicating the subject was carried / addressed by a companion House bill that became Chapter 2025‑188. (SB 1800 also shows committee activity and substitutions prior to that date.)

For exact current status (enacted, vetoed, or pending technical changes) consult the official Illinois General Assembly bill tracking pages or the enacted Public Acts (Ch. 2025‑188) referenced above.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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