SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A new state law designed to encourage students to remain in school will revoke driving privileges for teenagers who cut classes or dropout from school altogether.

“It’s another motivator. And as long as students learn about this ahead of time so it becomes another factor in their decision, (it’s) an incentive we can provide for a student if they are on the fence,” said Jesse Ruiz, chairman of the State Board of Education.

Under the measure, students who have more than 18 unexcused absences, are expelled or drop out, can have their licenses revoked until they turn 18. The licenses and learner’s permits can be reinstated if the students return to school. Students in Illinois must attend school until they are 17.

The law took effect July 1.

More than 24,000 students dropped out of school in Illinois last year. The figure is down from five years ago when there were 36,000 dropouts, but officials hope the new law can help bring those numbers down even further.

Morton West High School Assistant Principal Charlie Pall was skeptical about the law’s impact. Students who really want to get a driver’s license will be in school anyway, he said.

“I don’t know that getting a driver’s license will encourage students who might be truant to stay in school, but it might,” Pall said.

Michael Colasanti, a researcher with the Colorado-based Education Commission of the States, said Indiana is the only other state that will revoke or withhold permits or licenses from students who miss school or get expelled.

Seventeen other states have less restrictive laws linking driving privileges with school attendance, he said.