Got young drivers? DMVs offer designated teen hours Saturdays in summer

Teen drivers get priority treatment every Saturday this summer at select DMVs across Illinois.

The Teen Summer DMV initiative runs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Aug. 31 and is intended to help teenagers obtain driver’s licenses and permits expeditiously.

The weekend hours also help working parents who can’t fit weekday trips to the DMV into their schedules.

“We think it will be hugely helpful for parents and family members,” Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said. “But also from our perspective, it will help relieve weekday traffic at our facilities because driving tests take the longest.

“Getting that first driver’s license is a hugely exciting milestone. It comes with a tremendous responsibility, but also freedom for teens and anxiety for parents, so we’re trying to make this process as enjoyable and efficient as possible.”

Participating locations include Addison, Aurora, Bethalto, Belvidere, Bridgeview, Chicago West, Des Plaines, Elgin, Joliet, Lake Zurich, Plano and St. Charles.

Services for teens include dispensing licenses, behind-the-wheel tests and written tests.

“We think it will be hugely helpful for parents and family members. But also from our perspective, it will help relieve weekday traffic at our facilities because driving tests take the longest.”

—  Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias

Teen Summer DMV is appointment only. It can be scheduled at 800-252-8980.

Offices will have a selfie station for new drivers and provide tips on identity protection.

Teens must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

“I think this is going to be a huge deal,” Giannoulias said, citing early appointment registrations and anecdotal comments from constituents.

If statistics bear that out, “I can see us expanding this to even more facilities next summer,” he said. “But we’ll see what the results are in September and October.”

Illinois DMVs typically see a surge over the summer in young drivers who are upgrading from an instruction permit to a driver’s license, officials said. Almost 9,000 instruction permit holders were expected to be eligible for a license this summer.

Officials selected DMVs with heavy customer volumes and a high percentage of teenage drivers. Opening up the 12 locations on weekends provide an extra 1,000 appointments a week.

Young drivers should bring a birth certificate, Social Security card, two proofs of address such as school transcripts or a parent’s license and when applicable their instructional permit logbook and high school blue and white road test waiver.

https://www.dailyherald.com/20240531/transportation/got-young-drivers-dmvs-offer-designated-teen-hours-saturdays-in-summer/