CHAPTER 6 - THE ILLINOIS DRIVER LICENSING LAW

625 ILCS 5/6-401

Sec. 6-401. Driver training schools-license required.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/6-401
Offense Description
Unlicensed commercial driver training school Class A misdemeanor
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/6-401 (Unlicensed commercial driver training school Class A misdemeanor) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8155

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Unlicensed commercial driver training school Class A misdemeanor Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/6-401 -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8155 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 6-401. Driver training schools-license required.

(a)

(a) No person, firm, association, partnership or corporation shall operate a driver training school or engage in the business of giving instruction for hire or for a fee in (1) the driving of motor vehicles; or (2) the preparation of an applicant for examination given by the Secretary of State for a drivers license or permit, unless a license therefor has been issued by the Secretary. No public schools or educational institutions shall contract with entities engaged in the business of giving instruction for hire or for a fee in the driving of motor vehicles for the preparation of an applicant for examination given by the Secretary of State for a driver's license or permit, unless a license therefor has been issued by the Secretary.

This subsection (a) shall not apply to (i) public schools or to educational institutions in which driving instruction is part of the curriculum, (ii) employers giving instruction to their employees, (iii) schools that teach enhanced driving skills to licensed drivers as set forth in Article X of Chapter 6 of this Code, or (iv) driver rehabilitation specialists or programs in which the clients of the rehabilitation specialists or programs have previously held driver's licenses.

(b)

(b) Any person, firm, association, partnership, or corporation that violates subsection (a) of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense.

(Source: P.A. 102-749, eff. 1-1-23.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/6-401 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/6-401 (Unlicensed commercial driver training school Class A misdemeanor) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/6-401 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/6-401 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 5/6-401?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 625 ILCS 5/6-401 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/6-401 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-6-401
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes