Free · 17 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Illinois Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Illinois Rules of the Road that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Illinois practice test.
17 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Chapter 2: Driver's License ExamsLaws and paperwork
Vision screening, written exam and driving exam
Every permit requires a vision screening and a written test, and the written exam covers signs, signals and pavement markings; all new drivers also take a driving exam. You need at least 20/40 vision, and every driver retakes the written exam every eight years unless they have no traffic convictions.
9 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 13 to 15
- Lesson 2Chapter 3: Drivers Under Age 21Laws and paperwork
Instruction permit and the graduated license program
Teens 15 to 17 enrolled in driver education can get an instruction permit, hold it at least nine months and log 50 hours of practice. Illinois' graduated license program has three stages, usually starting at 15 with the learner's permit.
8 key points · 16 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 18
- Lesson 3Chapter 3: Drivers Under Age 21Laws and paperwork
Teen curfews, passenger limits and phone rules
Permit holders and newly licensed teens may not drive late at night, and for the first 12 months of licensing or until 18 they may carry only one passenger under 20 apart from certain family members. Any phone use while driving, even hands-free, is banned under 19 except to report an emergency.
8 key points · 12 numbers · Handbook pp. 18 to 20
- Lesson 4Chapter 4: Traffic LawsLaws and paperwork
Phones, distracted driving and traffic stops
Illinois bans handheld phone use and texting while driving, and only drivers 19 and older may use hands-free devices. If police stop you, pull over safely onto the right shoulder and do not get out unless asked.
7 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 21 to 22
- Lesson 5Chapter 4: Traffic LawsSafe driving
Seat belts, air bags and child seats
Everyone 8 and older, front and back, must wear a seat belt, and children under 8 need a proper child restraint. The driver is responsible for making sure every passenger is buckled.
8 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 23 to 24
- Lesson 6Chapter 4: Traffic LawsSpeed limits
Speed limits, school zones and work zones
Unless posted otherwise, Illinois limits run from 70 mph on interstates down to 15 mph in alleys. School zones drop to 20 mph on school days when children are present, and work zone limits apply around the clock.
8 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 24 to 84
- Lesson 7Chapter 4: Traffic LawsRight of way
Right of way and pedestrians
At a four-way stop or an uncontrolled intersection reached at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. Stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and yield to those in unmarked crosswalks on your side of the road when there are no signals.
10 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 26 to 80
- Lesson 8Chapter 4: Traffic LawsSafe driving
Passing, turning, roundabouts and parking
Finish passing before you come within 200 feet of an oncoming car, and give bicyclists at least 3 feet. Signal at least 100 feet before a turn in business or residential areas and 200 feet elsewhere, and on a two-way street park within 12 inches of the curb.
10 key points · 11 numbers · Handbook pp. 28 to 47
- Lesson 9Chapter 4: Traffic LawsEmergencies
School buses, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings
You need not stop for a school bus stopped going the other way on a four-lane road, and passing a stopped school bus brings a suspension and a $300 fine. At railroad crossings stop within 15 to 50 feet when there is a stop sign, flashing signal or lowered gate, and pull right for emergency vehicles using lights and sirens.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 25 to 85
- Lesson 10Chapter 6: Driving Under the Influence (DUI)Alcohol and DUI
DUI, implied consent and summary suspension
It is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08% or more, and you can still be convicted of DUI below that if you are impaired. Failing a chemical test suspends your license for six months, and refusing one suspends it for a year.
10 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 48 to 51
- Lesson 11Chapter 6: Driving Under the Influence (DUI)Alcohol and DUI
Drivers under 21 and alcohol
A driver under 21 with any trace of alcohol while driving loses their license for at least three months. A DUI conviction under 21 means at least a two-year revocation.
8 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 20 to 52
- Lesson 12Chapter 7: Traffic Violations/CrashesEmergencies
Crashes, reports and insurance
After a crash, stop safely, call 911 and report it within 30 minutes, and file a crash report for deaths, injuries or damage over $1,500. Illinois requires liability insurance of at least $25,000, $50,000 and $20,000.
10 key points · 11 numbers · Handbook pp. 54 to 98
- Lesson 13Chapter 10: Traffic Signals and Pavement MarkingsSignals and markings
Traffic signals and arrows
Obey signals unless an officer directs you otherwise, and treat a dark signal as an all-way stop. You may turn right on red, and left on red between one-way streets, after a complete stop and yield.
9 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 77 to 78
- Lesson 14Chapter 10: Traffic Signals and Pavement MarkingsSignals and markings
Pavement markings
White lines separate lanes going the same way and yellow lines separate opposing traffic. Broken lines allow passing or lane changes, while solid lines discourage or prohibit crossing.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 79 to 80
- Lesson 15Chapter 9: Roadway SignsRoad signs
Sign shapes and colors
The eight-sided red sign means STOP, the three-sided sign means YIELD, a diamond means warning and a five-sided sign marks a school zone or crossing. Red signs are regulatory and must be obeyed, orange signs usually warn of construction or maintenance zones and green signs guide.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 63 to 64
- Lesson 16Chapter 11: Safe Driving TipsSafe driving
Following distance, night driving and weather
Use the three-second rule on a good road in good weather and leave more room when roads or weather are poor. Dim your high beams 500 feet before meeting oncoming cars and 300 feet before passing, and turn on headlights whenever your wipers run.
9 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 83 to 88
- Lesson 17Chapter 12: Equipment For Safe DrivingLaws and paperwork
Required vehicle equipment
Illinois spells out exact standards for brakes, lights, mirrors and windshield tint. Your foot brake must stop the car from 20 mph within 30 feet, and your rearview mirror must show at least 200 feet behind.
10 key points · 12 numbers · Handbook pp. 36 to 93
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Illinois practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Illinois cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Illinois Rules of the Road (2026). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.