Community Orientation

Driver Responsibilities

• Always carry a valid driver's license.
• Understand and obey the traffic laws and state laws regarding automobiles and driving.  See the Illinois RULES OF THE ROAD book available online or in our office or the Secretary of State offices.
• Purchase and maintain insurance for your automobile at all times.
• Carry automobile registration and insurance proof in your car.
• Wear your seatbelt at all times while driving, including all passengers.
• NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE! This is a very serious offense.

Purchasing an Automobile 
The following are a few suggestions to know before purchasing an automobile.

• You may wish to consult the guides available for purchasing cars, such as Consumer Reports: Auto Hub available online at www.consumerreports.org or www.edmunds.com for automotive information.
• Usually, you may wish to look through the local newspapers in your area for a listing of used and new cars for sale.  You must negotiate the price of a car.
• Before you purchase a used car, you may want to have a reliable mechanic inspect the car for problems. 
• When you purchase a car be sure to obtain the "title" from the previous owner, and be sure the title is signed over to you properly. The title is an official document issued by the state that signifies ownership of the car.
• There are specific fees and requirements you must complete to legally purchase a car. BE CAREFUL to do these procedures correctly.  
  You will need to 
  1) obtain and transfer the title legally through the state of Illinois; 
  2) buy license plates
  3) buy state registration sticker for the plates 
  4) buy a city window sticker depending on where you live.
• You may wish to review the benefits of membership in the "Triple A," the AAA (American Automobile Association) for convenient road assistance policies at a reasonable price and other benefits; see their online Web site at www.autoclubgroup.com/chicago.
• Local "currency exchange" facilities usually are able to provide the services necessary for purchasing plates, stickers, and transferring the title through the state of Illinois for a very small fee.

Local Driving Schools
We are not endorsing or recommending any particular school. The following is a short list of local driving schools for your general information; this is not a complete list.  

• A-Orland Driving School
  Lessons available 7 days a week. 
  Orland Park, (708) 460-6622
  Oak Lawn, (708) 425-7111 
• Scaduto Driving School
  Lessons available 7 days a week. Free home pick-up. Located in Oak Lawn. Call (708) 423-1212.

Automobile Insurance
All drivers in the state of Illinois are required by law to have insurance for their automobile.   The following information explains briefly the types of automobile insurance available. 

1. Liability Insurance is the basic insurance required by law. This is the minimal insurance protection. This type of insurance is to pay for the costs of damages to the other person if you hit them. It may be better to purchase more than the minimal insurance because liability insurance does not help pay for your car if damaged.
2. Collision Insurance is to protect your automobile. If you are in an accident, collision insurance pays for the cost of the car repairs.
3. Comprehensive Insurance also protects your automobile in the case of theft, fire, natural disasters, or vandalism.
4. "Full Coverage" includes both liability and collision. The automobile will be repaired if it is damaged, and if the automobile is stolen, it will be replaced.  This type of insurance is usually preferred if you purchase a newer car.

The cost of your auto insurance is based on risk and other factors:

• The insurance coverage you choose (liability, collision, full coverage) 
• Where you live (city vs. suburb)
• The kind of car you drive (more expensive cars cost higher insurance)
• Your age (younger drivers are more expensive to insure)
• Your gender (younger males are viewed as a higher risk)
• Who is authorized to drive the car (yourself, wife, husband, children)

Ask a lot of questions when buying your insurance and understand your benefits. You may wish to comparison shop between insurance companies for the best rate.