If you live in Chicago and don’t have your driver’s license yet, you probably know the drill: waiting for your friend who “swears” they’re five minutes away, refreshing your rideshare app to see surge pricing drop, or hustling to catch the Red Line before it pulls out of the station. For a lot of people in the city, cars aren’t a daily necessity—between the CTA, Divvy bikes, and the ability to walk almost anywhere, you can get around without much thought about driving.
But here’s the thing—there’s a very real moment when that balance shifts. Maybe it’s after missing one too many late-night trains or waiting in freezing wind on the platform at 11 p.m. Maybe you’ve started working farther out or want to take weekend trips that go beyond Metra lines. That’s when getting your driver’s license starts feeling less like a random milestone and more like a key—one that unlocks a different kind of independence.
When you’re used to relying on rides from others, your movement depends on someone else’s timeline. Every decision—when to leave, where to stop, how long to stay—gets filtered through another person’s plans. Taking the CTA gives you more control, but you’re still on its schedule. Once you start driving, that all changes.
Illinois requires a mandatory six hour driver education course for those in Chicago if you are ages 18, 19, or 20. After completing that course through an approved online provider or through a local driving school, you then can apply for your driving test through your local DMV office.
With a car and a license, you set the rules. You can hit the lakefront at sunrise without worrying about first-train times, drive to a new taco spot in Pilsen at midnight or take a spontaneous trip to Starved Rock just because the weather’s too perfect to waste indoors. The freedom isn’t just about distance; it’s about deciding for yourself what’s possible on any given day.
Additionally, if you are going to – or plan to go to – college then the ability to drive yourself to & from campus gives you more autonomy. You also then can look for part-time jobs further away campus instead of just those within walking distance. Having your driver license also allows you to take the wheel on any impromptu road trips or just being able to get away for a camping trip with friends.
There’s also a mental shift. Driving requires focus, awareness, and responsibility—it pulls you into the moment in a way that’s surprisingly grounding. You’re not zoning out in the backseat anymore; you’re part of the rhythm of the city. You start to notice shortcuts, street patterns, neighborhoods you’ve only ever passed on the train. Chicago starts feeling smaller, more connected, and somehow more yours.
At first, driving might sound like a financial hit—after all, cars bring expenses like insurance, gas, maintenance, and parking. But depending on how you currently get around, you might be surprised at how things balance out.
If you’re taking multiple rideshares a week—say $15 to $25 per ride—that adds up fast. Even with public transit, frequent trips paired with occasional rideshares – such as Uber or Lyft – easily can add up to a few hundred dollars a month. Owning or sharing a modest car, especially an older but reliable one, can start to rival those costs when spread out over time.
Gas prices fluctuate, of course, and Chicago parking isn’t free, but being behind the wheel gives you a kind of long-term flexibility that makes budgeting easier. You don’t have to depend on unpredictable surge pricing or late-night wait times. If you split costs with family or roommates, or even use your license for delivery gigs or part-time jobs that require driving, your license then can become more of an asset than an expense.
The practical benefits of having a license go further than being able to hit the road. It often becomes a key piece of identification, You will need it for things like securing apartments, setting up bank accounts, or going through airport security. It’s also a quiet credibility boost in adult life. When you can drive, people trust you with more responsibility.
There’s also the social side. When you have access to a car, you become the person who can make plans happen—road trips, grocery runs, concerts in the suburbs, volunteering opportunities. Driving can turn into a shared experience rather than a solo one, especially when music, friends, and late-night conversations get mixed in.
And sometimes, having your license isn’t about constant driving. It’s about having options. Want to move somewhere with fewer transit options? You can. Need to drive for an internship or job in the future? No problem. That small plastic card quietly expands what’s possible, giving you control over where your life can take you.
For many young people in Chicago, learning to drive isn’t a rejection of urban life. It’s an evolution of it. It doesn’t mean giving up your Ventra card or swearing off the L. It’s about adding another layer of freedom to your mix of mobility. Because while there’s an energy to being part of the city’s rush, there’s also something powerful about knowing that, when you want to, you can take the wheel and drive your own story—on your own terms.
Keep an eye for more latest news & updates on Chicago Heading!
