Drivers stopped for minor traffic violations in Alexander, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union counties in Illinois may be eligible for the Driver Safety Program offered by Shawnee Community College as an alternative to court. Eligible drivers receive an application from the police, pay the ticket fine and a $30 administrative fee, and apply through the County Circuit Clerk’s Office. After completing the four-hour course, participants receive a certificate, which is reported to the court.
How to Apply for the Driver Safety Course
An application should be given to eligible drivers stopped by the police for certain minor traffic violations—only those for which a court appearance is not mandatory.
- If an application was not received at the time of the traffic stop, please contact the county courthouse where you received your ticket for an application.
- The application fee, which is also the administrative fee, is $30 and paid to the courthouse.
- Your email must be provided on the application to receive course information.
Steps to Apply
- Once your application is completed, please send it to the courthouse in which county you received the ticket.
- The courthouse will send the application information to the Driver Safety Department at Shawnee Community College. Please allow 4-6 weeks to receive instructions.
- Choose the course you would like to participate in.
- In-Person Course Options – Register Now with SCC
- Online Course Options – If you prefer an online course, the National Safety Council will charge an additional $54.10 for their course. This is in addition to the $30 administrative fee. The National Safety Council online course fee will not be paid until you receive the online information letter from the SCC Driver Safety Department. Please email drivesafe@shawneecc.edu to learn how to enroll in the online course.
- The in-person and online course options are 4 hours to complete. The online course is self-paced.
- If you received a ticket from:
- Alexander County allows 90 days for completion.
The countdown begins on your plea date. - Jackson County allows 120 days for completion.
The countdown begins on your plea date. - Johnson County allows 120 days for completion.
The countdown begins on your plea date. - Massac County allows 120 days for completion.
The countdown begins on your plea date. - Pulaski County allows 150 days for completion.
The countdown begins on your plea date. - Union County allows 120 days for completion.
The countdown begins on your plea date.
Directions Once the Course is Completed
- If you have completed the course in person at one of our SCC locations:
- SCC’s Driver Safety office will process a certificate of completion.
- The certificate will be sent to the email address provided on the application.
- At the end of the month, your completion will be submitted to the county where you received your ticket.
- No further action will be required upon successful completion of the course.
- If you have completed the course online through the National Safety Council:
- After you complete the course online, a certificate of completion will be emailed to you from the National Safety Council.
- You will need to send a copy of the certification to the drivesafe@shawneecc.edu
- At the end of the month, your completion will be submitted to the county where you received your ticket.
- If you did not receive the certificate from the National Safety Council, please contact them at 1-800-621-7615.
- No further action will be required upon successful completion of the course.
For additional information, please get in touch with the Driver Safety Department at:
618-634-3438
618-833-8435
drivesafe@shawneecc.edu