Illinois DMV Driver’s License Tests & Permit Practice
#1. Which is true about alcohol?
Alcohol is the number one killer on American roadways.
#2. On a country road at night, a vehicle with one light comes toward you. What should you do?
Drive as far to the right as possible, when a vehicle with one light drives toward you. It could be a bicyclist or motorcyclist, but it could also be a vehicle with a missing headlight.
#3. You meet a school bus traveling in the opposite direction on a divided roadway with two lanes. The bus displays flashing red lights. What should you do?
When a school bus is traveling on a two-lane roadway and is stopped to pick up or drop off pupils, the vehicles in all lanes of traffic must stop. Vehicles should stop at least 20 feet before reaching the school bus to allow pupils to cross the roadway safely.
#4. If you fail to submit a medical or vision report when required, your driving privilege will be:
Your driver’s license may be canceled for being medically or visually unfit to safely operate a motor vehicle and for failure to submit a medical or vision report when required.
Cancellation is the termination by formal action of the Secretary of State’s office. Cancellation of a person’s driver’s license or permit will occur because of some error or defect in the license or because the licensee is no longer entitled to such license.
#5. You approach an intersection with a stop sign and a stop line painted across the pavement. You must:
You must make a complete stop at the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.
#6. When moving a vehicle from the right-hand lane to the left-hand lane, drivers should give the left-turn signal:
When moving a vehicle from the right-hand lane to the left-hand lane, drivers should check for traffic behind the vehicle and to the left by turning their head and visually assessing the area. If the area is clear, the driver should give the left-turn signal and carefully move into the left lane.
#7. You want to overtake the vehicle ahead of you. Which pavement marking tells you that you can pass?
A normal broken yellow line tells you that passing with care is allowed.
Remember, broken lines are permissive in character. Solid lines are restrictive in character.
#8. Why should you pay close attention to a truck's turn signals when it turns?
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.
#9. When passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway, you must:
Look ahead and behind to determine when it is safe to pass. Give a left-turn signal so the driver behind you will know that you are about to pull out and pass.
#10. What is the best advice if you encounter an aggressive driver?
Avoid aggressive drivers and potentially dangerous situations. If you encounter an angry or aggressive motorist:
- Do not retaliate or in any way engage the other driver. Get out of the way.
- Do not make eye contact.
- Keep your doors locked and your windows up.
- Keep enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you to pull out from behind.
- Do not underestimate a driver’s potential for aggression.
#11. When a traffic signal is showing a steady red light:
You must make a full stop. Stop at the marked stop line. If there is not a marked stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. Do not go until the light is green and the intersection is clear.
You may make a right turn at a red light. You also may make a left turn at a red light when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street that has traffic moving to the left. In both instances, drivers must come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning.
#12. If you are crossing the tracks at a railroad crossing and the warning lights begin flashing, or gates come down, you should:
If you happen to be crossing the tracks and the warning lights begin flashing, or gates come down, do not stop, keep moving. The warning signals will allow enough time for you to finish driving through the crossing before the train arrives.
#13. 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.
#14. Fatigue is a significant factor in highway crashes.
Lack of sleep, fatigue or inattentiveness affects your ability to safely drive your vehicle. Drowsiness is a real hazard and a significant factor in highway crashes.
#15. You must never park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
Standing or parking a vehicle, whether occupied or not, is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
#16. Under certain conditions, you may receive a ticket for speeding even if you drive at or less than the posted speed limit:
Remember that speed limits show the fastest speed you may drive under good conditions. You are responsible for adjusting your driving speed to the road conditions. For example, if the weather is bad or there is a lot of traffic, you must drive more slowly than the posted speed. This is known as the general or basic speed law.
No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.
#17. If an advisory speed sign isn't posted before a curve:
If a speed limit is not posted before a curve, you must judge how sharp the curve is and change your speed. Slow down before you enter the curve. Braking and turning at the same time may cause your car to skid.
#18. Because motorcycles are smaller than cars:
Because of their size and vulnerability in a crash, it is important for a driver to pay special attention to motorcycles. The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the most common cause of motorcycle crashes. Due to their small size, motorcycles may be difficult to see and motorists tend to underestimate their speed. A driver should expect to see motorcycles in traffic at any time, not just in the spring and summer. Drivers involved in crashes often report not seeing the motorcycle or seeing it too late to avoid a collision.
#19. How do you check your blind spots while driving?
Turn your head briefly. Mirrors should be adjusted before you start driving and will always have blind spots. These blind spots can hide a motorcyclist or a bicyclist. Do not drive in another driver’s blind spot.
#20. What is true about seat belts?
Safety belts must be worn by all drivers and passengers age 8 and over. It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure ALL passengers obey the safety belt law.
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
