Illinois DMV Driver’s License Tests & Permit Practice
#1. How can you avoid letting your cell phone distract you while driving?
Minimize distractions. Focus on safe driving practices. If your cell phone rings, do not answer it. Let the call go to voicemail, if you have this feature. If you must answer or make a call, pull safely off the road and stop. Do not use your cell phone during hazardous conditions or engage in distracting conversations.
#2. Assuming you are traveling 35 mph and suddenly need to stop. How far will your car approximately go during 1 second?
If your speed is 35 mph, your car will travel 52 feet in one second.
#3. Using an unpaved shoulder to pass another vehicle on the right is:
Driving off the pavement or main traveled part of the road is not allowed when passing another vehicle on the right or the left.
#4. A law enforcement officer believes you have been driving under the influence and asks for a blood or breath test. If you are over 21 and refuse, your driver's license will be suspended for:
When driving on Illinois roadways, you automatically consent to submit to certain tests. If you refuse to submit to testing, your driving privileges will be suspended for one year. If you are a second offender within a five-year period, your privileges will be suspended for three years if you refuse to test.
#5. A person can park and leave a car:
Never park or leave your vehicle in front of a driveway, on a bridge or on a crosswalk. Vehicles displaying license plates or parking placards for persons with disabilities may park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities. The authorized holder of the parking placard or plates must be present and must enter or exit the vehicle at the time the parking privileges are being used.
#6. True or false? A driver who becomes stranded in blizzard conditions should remain in their vehicle.
If drivers become stranded, they should remain with the vehicle running the engine only for brief times and opening the window to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If possible, the driver should make sure the vehicle’s tailpipe is free of snow and debris.
#7. When driving on slippery roads, you should:
Reduce your speed on wet roads and increase your following distance.
#8. If driving during foggy weather, a driver should turn on the vehicle's high-beam headlights to increase the field of vision.
Turn on your low beam lights when you encounter fog, dust, heavy rain or snow. Do not use your high beam because the light will be reflected into your eyes.
#9. You approach a stopped school bus on your side of a divided highway. Red lights are flashing. In this situation, you must:
You must always stop if you are traveling in the same direction as the school bus. A stop signal arm will be extended after the school bus has come to a complete stop. You must then also come to a complete stop. You must remain stopped until the stop signal arm is no longer extended and the flashing lights are turned off or the driver signals you to pass.
#10. Which of the following must you obey over the other two?
It is important to obey the orders of a police officer, firefighter, highway authority official or uniformed adult school crossing guard who is directing traffic or performing his or her official duties .
Also, obey special signs or instructions from workers (flaggers) in work zones.
#11. At a railroad crossing, you must give trains the right-of-way:
Trains cannot stop at railroad crossings. They must always be given the right-of-way.
#12. What does a solid yellow line on a two-lane road indicate?
No passing lines are solid yellow lines on roads where traffic moves in opposite directions. The lines indicate zones where passing is not allowed. When there is a solid and a broken yellow line separating two lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions, a driver may pass only when the broken yellow line is nearest the driver’s lane.
#13. When drinking alcohol, what is a primary factor affecting your blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?
The concentration of alcohol in the blood primarily changes with body weight or size, time spent drinking, and the amount of alcohol that is consumed.
It does not depend on what kind of alcoholic beverage you drink, how physically fit you are, or how well you can hold your liquor.
Food in the stomach causes alcohol to be absorbed more slowly, slowing down the rate and the amount of intoxication. It will not prevent the alcohol to get into your blood.
#14. A flashing red traffic signal at an intersection has the same meaning as a stop sign.
A flashing red signal light means stop. After stopping, you may proceed when it is safe. Observe the right-of-way rules.
A flashing red signal is used at intersections when a stop sign alone is hard to see or where additional emphasis on the stop sign is needed. They also are used at railroad crossings to warn of approaching trains. Stop. Never try to beat a train to a crossing.
#15. Vehicles in a roundabout always travel in one direction.
All vehicles in the roundabout travel in one direction (counterclockwise).
#16. More than 50 percent of all motorcycle crashes occur on freeways.
More than 50 percent of all motorcycle crashes occur at intersections. The most common situation occurs when an oncoming automobile makes a left turn in front of a motorcycle. A vehicle driver should watch for motorcycles before turning and yield the right of way. A driver should be particularly careful when turning left across lanes of oncoming traffic and should wait to be sure of the motorcycle operator’s intent before proceeding to make a left turn.
Drivers involved in crashes often report not seeing the motorcycle or seeing it too late to avoid a collision.
#17. What is true about signaling before making a sudden stop?
Always signal to other drivers when you plan to turn left, right, slow down, or stop. Signals may be given by hand-and-arm positions or by using the vehicles electric turn signals or brake lights.
#18. Under ideal conditions, you should allow how many seconds between your vehicle and the car in front of you?
The three-second rule also applies to your speed when you are on a good road and during good weather conditions. If the road or weather conditions are not good, increase your following distance even more.
#19. When a large vehicle appears to be turning left ahead, you should:
Pay close attention to turn signals, and give large vehicles plenty of room to maneuver and make turns. Large vehicles make wide right turns and sometimes leave an open space to the right just before the turn.
If a large vehicle appears to be turning in one direction, it may actually be turning in the other but first swinging wide.
#20. Which car or cars have the position for a left turn on this one-way street?
To turn left from a one-way street, begin the turn from the left lane.
Do not turn from another lane, unless signs or lane markings indicate two or more turning lanes.
Facts about the Illinois Permit Knowledge Test
| What You Should Know | |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on exam: | Traffic signs: 15 Traffic laws and safe driving: 20 Total: 35 |
| Passing score: | 80 percent |
| Correct answers to pass: | 28 |
| Allotted time to complete test: | No limit |
| Wait time before retest: | 1 day |
| This Practice Test | |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on each practice test: | Traffic rules: 20 |
| Question pool: | 500+ |
| Each test is random | |
About this Illinois Practice Test
This practice test is a learning tool. Each test has 20 questions about Illinois safety rules and traffic laws. You will find all answers in the Illinois handbook “Rules of the Road.” Many questions are from the official written examination.
After each practice question, the test will show you whether your answer is correct. If you miss a question, there is also a brief explanation.
Read the feedback and focus on why you missed the question. Did you misunderstand, or didn’t you know the answer? Always compare the answer with the information in the handbook; it is a simple way of learning faster.
The Illinois knowledge examination consists of two parts. This is the second part.
The first part of the test addresses common road signs. You can find a random practice test with all signs here: Illinois Road Signs Recognition Test – 15 Questions
Study for the Knowledge Examination
Before you start, you should have the following:
- The latest version of “Rules of the Road.” Get it from a licensing office or online .
- The Parent-Teen Guide if you are applying for a permit.
- A parent or other licensed driver to discuss rules and safe driving with.
If you follow these steps, you will learn more efficiently. Read more about the best way to study here: Best Way to Study .
When you understand the contents of “Rules of the Road,” take several sample tests to check how much you have learned. The test score also tells you whether you are ready for the examination.
The official passing score in Illinois is 80 percent, but you should aim higher on a practice test. Try to complete all of the questions on each sample test. Go back to the study guide for each question you miss. Compare answers with the information in the booklet.
Who Must Take the Illinois Written Test?
All new drivers.
All new drivers applying for an original Illinois Driver’s License or Instruction Permit must pass the written knowledge exam.
Drivers with a license from a foreign country.
If you have an out-of-country driver’s license, you must pass the vision exam, the written knowledge exam, and usually also the road skills test.
Drivers with an out-of-state license.
Unlike the rules in many other states, you must also take the knowledge test if you have a valid license from another state. The road skills test is, however, waived in most cases.
When you renew your license and have traffic convictions on your record. .
Drivers must also take a written exam every eight years unless they have a clean driving record with no traffic convictions.
If you have a traffic crash or other moving violation on your driving record, the Secretary of State can also ask you to take the written exam again.
When you let your Illinois license expire more than one year.
Should you let your Illinois driver’s license expire more than a year, you must retake all tests. You must also retake all tests if the state has revoked your license.
What You Should Know about Illinois Written Test
During the written test, you must identify traffic signs by shape, color, or symbol, identify signals and pavement markings, and answer questions about traffic laws and safety rules. You should expect questions from all parts of the handbook.
You cannot use books, papers, cell phones, or other wireless devices during the test.
If DMV staff observe a suspicious situation during the test, they will warn the applicant. If the applicant is cheating, they will fail that portion of the exam. The applicant must wait 30 days before they can retake the test.
Taking the exam for another person is a criminal offense. It may result in a fine and a minimum of seven days in jail.
What Happens if I Fail the Test?
Should you fail the test, you can generally retake it the next day.
If you have more than eight errors, you should wait and study both the “Rules of the Road” and the practice tests again.
The more you study, the more likely you are to pass.
You have three attempts to pass the knowledge test, counting from the day you applied for the permit and paid the application fee.
What Happens after I Passed the Test?
After passing the vision and knowledge tests as a new applicant, the examiner issues a temporary instruction permit.
A temporary instruction permit is the first step in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program for teenagers.
The GDL Program aims to let drivers between 15 – 20 years pass three progressive stages toward full-driving privileges.
Teen drivers must earn the right to move from one phase to the next based on experience and driving behavior.
Phase I: Instruction Permit Phase – Restrictions
With an instruction permit, you may start driving together with a parent or any adult who is 21 years or older, holds a valid driver’s license, and has at least one year of driving experience.
The permit is valid for two years if you are under 18 (one year if you are 18 or older).
The instruction permit comes with the following restrictions:
General night curfew.
A permit holder cannot drive Sunday-Thursday between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and Friday-Saturday between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. (local ordinances can set different curfews).
Number of passengers is limited.
The number of passengers in the vehicle is limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
No wireless/cellphone use while driving.
Permit holders under 19 years cannot use any wireless/cellphone use while driving, including hands-free devices.
An exemption exists to contact a law enforcement agency, health care provider, or emergency services agency in the case of an emergency.
Phase I: Instruction Permit Phase – Before You Can Move On
Before you can move on to phase II, you must:
Hold your permit for a minimum of nine months.
Before moving on to the next step, you must hold the instruction permit for at least nine months.
Practice driving a minimum of 50 hours, including 10 hours at night.
During the permit phase, you must practice driving with a supervising driver for at least 50 hours, of which 10 hours must be at night.
The 50 hours are in addition to any time spent behind the wheel with a driving instructor.
It is a good idea to keep a log of your driving practice, even if you don’t have to show this log when applying for your provisional license. However, a parent or legal guardian must certify that you have completed a minimum of 50 hours of practice driving.
Not have any driving infractions, underage alcohol convictions or court supervisions during the previous nine-month permit phase.
To obtain court supervision for a traffic violation, a driver must appear in court with a parent/legal guardian and attend a traffic safety school. Limit one court supervision for serious driving offenses.
After a moving violation, there is an additional nine-month waiting period before you can apply for a driver’s license. If you violated the law and did not have a permit, you must wait until you are 18 before applying for a license.
If you violate the night curfew, the Department will suspend your permit.
Phase II: Initial Licensing Phase (Provisional License) 16 – 17 years
To be eligible for phase II in the GDL program, a driver under 18 must have completed a state-approved driver education course. Applicants between 18 and 20 years may complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education course instead.
A parent or legal guardian must certify that you have completed at least 50 hours of practice driving, including 10 hours at night.
You must have held your permit for at least nine months.
Phase II: Initial Licensing Phase – Restrictions
With a provisional license, you may drive without a supervising driver, but the license still has some restrictions.
No driving at night.
You cannot drive Sunday-Thursday between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and Friday-Saturday between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Exemptions in the law allow you to drive to and from employment or school-sanctioned activities during curfew hours. You may also drive if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
No more than one passenger under 20 years for the first 12 months.
For the first 12 months or until you turn 18, whichever occurs first, the number of passengers is limited to one person under 20 years. A sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild of the driver does not count towards this limit.
After 12 months, or when you turn 18, the number of passengers is limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
No use of cellphones.
All cellphone/wireless use while driving, including a hands-free device, is prohibited if you are under 19 years and not in an emergency.
Phase II: Initial Licensing Phase – Sanctions
Suppose you are guilty of a moving violation within the first year of licensing. In that case, the passenger limitation extends for six months.
Two moving violation convictions within 24 months will result in a minimum one-month license suspension.
If the Secretary of State suspends your license, you may be retested and must pay a $70 reinstatement fee.
If you violate the nighttime driving restriction, the DMV can suspend your driving privileges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Illinois permit test?
The failure rate on the Illinois written test is less than 10 %. The first part with traffic sign identification (15 questions) is considered very easy and the second part about road rules is graded easy.
At what age can I apply for an Illinois learner's permit?
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a learner's permit or instruction permit in Illinois.
Video: Illinois Road Signs Test
Illinois Road Sign Identification Test
