Anyone under the age of 18 years old MUST TAKE A CERTIFIED DRIVER’S EDUCATION COURSE in order to obtain a license and be able to drive in the State of Illinois.

A driver’s license is issued to anyone who is at least 16 years old and who has successfully completed a professional drivers education course.

This requirement can be met by completing the first phase of this course offered here at Saint Patrick High School when the student is a sophomore and is 15 years old at the time the course begins. There are two phases to the driver’s education course:

Phase 1: Classroom Instruction

Students must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction, taught here at Saint Patrick over the course of a four week class.

Registration information will be emailed to families prior to each session.

1. There is a tuition charge for Saint Patrick students for the course. To register and pay for the class, please go to https://store.5starstudents.com/STPATRICKHS. ($20 Permit Fee & $50 CPS Lab Fee are separate & will be explained in depth from the instructor)
2. All rules and regulations will be explained to the student once he begins the course.
3. Only ONE absence is allowed during the course as more than one absence will not fulfill the contact hours that are required by the State of Illinois.  This cannot be waived for vacation plans.

Phase 2: Driving Range (At Taft High School)

1. There is a charge for this course payable to Chicago Public Schools. ($50 Chicago Public Schools behind the wheel lab fee)
2. Upon successful completion of the classroom portion, students will obtain their permit and after completing 10-12 hours of practice with a parent/guardian they will call the Taft High School driver ed center to schedule their 1st traffic.
3. Supervised behind the wheel training outside of the driver’s education course is also required.  A parent/guardian or adult over the age of 21 who has a valid license for at least one year must supervise the student and sign off on their 50 hours of practice. 
4. A permit is valid for two years and must be held for at least NINE months before a driver’s license is issued.

Other Requirements

Any student who is a sophomore at least 15 years old at the time of the course is eligible to take driver’s education. 

Classes will be limited to 30 students. Enrollment will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis. 

2024-2025 Drivers Education Dates

Class will be Monday-Thursday from 4:45pm – 6:45pm in room 102.

Fall 2024

October 28-31
November 4-6
November 12-14
November 18-21
December 2-3

Winter 2025

February 3-6
February 10-12
February 18-20
February 24-27
March 3-4

Spring 2025

April 14-16
April 22-24
April 28 – May 1
May 5-8
May 12-13