Illinois DMV Driver’s License Tests & Permit Practice
#1. Driving over an unprotected fire hose on the road is allowed:
A driver is prohibited from driving over fire hoses, unless permitted by a fire official in command of the scene.
#2. If an officer arrests you for driving under the influence and you refuse to submit to testing, the state will suspend your driving privileges for three months.
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.
#3. What is the leading cause of car skids?
Unsafe speed is the most common cause of skidding accidents.
#4. 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.
#5. A truck's blind spots:
Trucks have bigger blind spots than most passenger vehicles. The blind spots are not eliminated by outside mirrors or the size of the mirrors.
#6. When should you use the three-second rule?
Following a vehicle too closely or tailgating is the cause of most rear-end collisions. Use the three-second rule to determine a safe following distance. 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.
Remember, a three-second rule does not mean that you are able to stop within three seconds.
#7. When driving in fog and the fog is too dense, you should:
If the fog is too dense, pull off the roadway and stop. Do not drive at 5-10 mph.
#8. The basic speed law allows you to drive over the speed limit when it is reasonable and prudent:
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.
#9. What should you do when you see this sign?
There is a work area ahead. Drive with extra caution.
Arrow boards warn the motorist of an upcoming lane closure, or caution when construction is ahead.
#10. On this road with yellow lines, traffic flows only in one direction.
Yellow lines mark the center of a road used for traffic going in opposite directions.
#11. When passing a bicyclist:
When passing a bicyclist or pedestrian who is riding or walking on the road or shoulder of the roadway, you must keep a minimum of three feet between your vehicle and the bicyclist or pedestrian.
#12. When is driving around or under a lowered gate at a railroad crossing legal?
It is never allowed to drive around or under a lowered gate at a railroad crossing
#13. Wearing earplugs in both ears while driving:
Illinois law states that you may not wear a headset while driving. Headsets are defined as any device, other than a hearing aid, that allows the wearer to hear or receive electronic communications. (The use of a single-sided headset or earpiece with a wireless/cellphone device is permitted while driving.) Motorcycle, motor-driven cycle and moped operators may use intercom helmets that permit drivers and/or passengers to speak to one another.
#14. What does a lane control sign with a steady yellow X mean?
Special lights sometimes are used over each lane on highways and expressways. They are used most often to change the flow of traffic during certain hours of the day.
A green arrow means the lane may be used, but all other signs and signals must be obeyed.
A steady yellow X means the signal is going to change to red. Leave this lane safely before the red X appears.
A red X means the lane is closed. Never drive in this lane.
A flashing yellow arrow or flashing X means that the lane may be used for approaching and making a left turn. Such a lane may also display white two-way left-turn arrows or a white one-way left-turn arrow.
#15. You must have the following brake system in proper working order:
Vehicles must have two brake systems and brakes on all wheels. The foot brake must be strong enough to stop a vehicle traveling at a speed of 20 mph in 30 feet. The emergency or parking brake must be strong enough to stop the vehicle in 55 feet at the same speed. The emergency brake also must be able to hold the vehicle on a grade or hill. Motor-driven cycles need only one brake.
#16. You are driving on a four-lane highway. From which lane should you make a right turn?
When approaching an intersection to make a right turn, stay as far to the right as possible. Make the turn close to the right curb.
If there are double turning lanes on a road with multiple lanes, they are indicated by regulatory signs and lane markings.
#17. You park legally at a railroad crossing if you keep this distance from the nearest rail:
Parking a vehicle, whether occupied or not, is prohibited within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.
#18. After a conviction of causing personal injury or death as a result of a DUI, your driving privilege will be:
Offenses for which your driver’s license may be revoked include aggravated DUI.
#19. 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.
#20. Drivers entering a roundabout:
You must yield to any drivers already in the roundabout.
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
