Vision screening, written exam and driving exam

Key points

1. A vision screening and a written test are required for every permit.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “A vision screening and a written test are required for the issuance or renewal of all permits.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 13

2. You need at least 20/40 vision with or without glasses. Between 20/41 and 20/70 you may drive only in daylight.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Minimum visual acuity of 20/40 with or without corrective lenses. A driver with acuity between 20/41 and 20/70 is limited to daylight driving only.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 13

3. You also need at least 140 degrees of side vision.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “At least 140 degree peripheral vision (the ability to see to the side) with or without corrective lenses.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 13

4. Every driver must take the written exam every eight years, unless they have no traffic convictions.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Every driver must take a written exam every eight years, except for a driver who has no traffic convictions.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 14

5. The written exam asks you to identify signs by shape, color or symbol and to identify signals and pavement markings.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Identify traffic signs by shape, color, or symbol. • Identify signals and pavement markings.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 14

6. Anyone caught cheating fails and cannot retake the exam for 30 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Any applicant found cheating will fail the exam and be prohibited from retaking it for 30 days.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 13

7. All new drivers take a driving exam, and so do drivers 87 and older.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Drivers ages 87 and older, as well as those turning 87 or older when renewing their license, must also take a driving exam.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 14

8. On the driving exam you back up about 50 feet slowly, straight and smoothly.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Backing the vehicle approximately 50 feet at a slow speed, straight and smoothly.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 15

9. Proof of insurance is required at the time of the driving exam.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Proof of insurance must be provided at the time of the exam.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 14

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Illinois practice test

1. 1. What subjects are covered by the basic Illinois written driver examination?

   1. Vehicle repairs, insurance pricing, and county registration procedures
   2. Traffic signs, signals, pavement markings, traffic laws, safety, crash prevention, and equipment
   3. Only road signs and the names of Illinois highways
   4. Parking fees, fuel economy, and commercial vehicle loading rules
   Show answer

   Traffic signs, signals, pavement markings, traffic laws, safety, crash prevention, and equipment. The basic written examination covers visual controls and practical driving knowledge. You may need to identify signs, signals, and pavement markings, then answer questions about traffic laws, safety rules, crash prevention, and vehicle equipment. The signs-only choice leaves out the rule and safety portions, while repair costs and registration procedures are not listed as exam subjects. A useful study cue is to review both what drivers see on the road and what they must do in response. Motorcycle, truck, and bus examinations have different requirements, so this description applies to the basic driver exam.

2. 2. How often must an Illinois driver take the written exam?

   1. Every renewal
   2. Every two years
   3. Every eight years, unless the driver has no traffic convictions
   4. Only once
   Show answer

   Every eight years, unless the driver has no traffic convictions. Every driver must take a written exam every eight years, except a driver who has no traffic convictions. Drivers 87 and older, and those turning 87 at renewal, must also take a driving exam. The driving exam vehicle must be properly licensed and carry the required equipment, and the test includes backing about 50 feet straight and smoothly, plus uphill and downhill parking.

3. 3. What Illinois vision result limits a driver to daylight only?

   1. Acuity of 20/40
   2. Acuity between 20/41 and 20/70
   3. Peripheral vision over 140 degrees
   4. Any use of corrective lenses
   Show answer

   Acuity between 20/41 and 20/70. Illinois requires minimum visual acuity of 20/40 with or without corrective lenses and at least 140 degrees of peripheral vision. A driver with acuity between 20/41 and 20/70 is limited to daylight driving only, and worse acuity requires an eye specialist's report. Peripheral vision matters because it is how you notice a car entering from the side, so the screening checks both.

Source: the Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 2: Driver's License Exams. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.