Printable IL Permit Practice Test

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

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

2. When may a driver return to the right-hand lane after passing another vehicle?

1. As soon as the front bumper clears the other vehicle
2. Before the passed vehicle disappears from the driver’s side mirror
3. After the entire passed vehicle is visible in the rearview mirror
4. Only after the passed driver flashes a courtesy signal

3. What should an Illinois driver do when light rain begins to make the roadway slippery?

1. Keep cruise control on and follow more closely
2. Turn off cruise control and increase following distance
3. Brake hard repeatedly to dry the tires
4. Accelerate to pass through the wet area quickly

4. How long should a driver maintain reduced speed after passing a stationary emergency vehicle?

1. Until safely past any stationary emergency vehicles
2. Only until the front bumper reaches the vehicle
3. Until the driver sees a green traffic signal
4. Only while the emergency vehicle’s siren is audible

5. What does a steady yellow traffic light warn an Illinois driver?

1. The driver may enter without checking the intersection
2. The signal will remain green for another full cycle
3. Cross traffic must stop immediately
4. The signal is changing from green to red

6. What should an Illinois driver do when an emergency vehicle approaches using audible and visual signals?

1. Continue at the same speed in the current lane
2. Turn left at the next intersection to get ahead of it
3. Immediately pull to the right side and allow it to pass
4. Stop only if the emergency vehicle is directly beside the car

7. For how long must motorists obey a posted Illinois construction-zone speed limit?

1. Only while workers are visible beside the roadway
2. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
3. Only during weekday daylight hours
4. Only after a construction vehicle enters the lane

8. Where does the Illinois manual specifically tell drivers to slow down?

1. Only on straight roads with a clear view
2. At intersections, curves, hilltops, and narrow winding roadways
3. Only after passing the top of a hill
4. Only when a police officer is present

9. What minimum revocation follows an Illinois driver's first DUI conviction while under age 21?

1. A three-month alcohol-trace suspension
2. A six-month chemical-test suspension
3. Two years
4. A one-year refusal suspension

10. For an Illinois second offender, what happens after refusing chemical testing?

1. Driving privileges are suspended for three years
2. Driving privileges are suspended for 45 days
3. Driving privileges are suspended for six months
4. Driving privileges are revoked for five years

11. Which cellphone use does Illinois prohibit while operating a motor vehicle?

1. Reporting an emergency
2. Using a cellphone while parked on the shoulder
3. Using a cellphone while stopped because normal traffic is obstructed, with the vehicle in park
4. Using a handheld cellphone

12. How should a driver follow an Illinois ONE-WAY sign?

1. Use the street in either direction until another sign appears
2. Turn against the arrow when the intersection is empty
3. Drive there only during daylight hours
4. Travel only in the direction shown by the arrow

13. Where should a driver go when an Illinois KEEP RIGHT sign points around an obstruction?

1. To the side indicated by the arrow, around the traffic island, median, or obstruction
2. Into the opposing lane whenever that lane is empty
3. To the left of the obstruction regardless of the arrow
4. Only onto the shoulder, even when a lane is open

14. Why should an Illinois driver begin slowing after seeing a SIGNAL AHEAD sign?

1. It means the next streetlight is permanently out of service
2. It marks a police checkpoint where every vehicle must stop
3. It warns that a traffic signal is approaching, even if it is not yet visible
4. It permits the driver to ignore the upcoming signal

15. What does the first Illinois DIVIDED HIGHWAY sign warn a driver about?

1. A divided highway is ending and opposing traffic will share one lane
2. A divided highway is beginning and a center strip will separate opposing traffic
3. A three-way intersection is ahead with traffic entering from the left
4. A U-turn opening is available through the median

16. What hazard is shown by the yellow crossroad warning sign?

1. A hospital entrance ahead
2. An intersection ahead where traffic may cross
3. A divided highway begins
4. A school bus stop with a reduced speed zone

17. What does a small speed panel below a curve warning sign show?

1. The maximum safe speed for the curve or turn
2. The minimum legal speed for the roadway
3. The distance to the next service area
4. The number of lanes after the curve

18. What do solid yellow no-passing lines indicate on a two-way roadway?

1. A zone where passing is not allowed
2. A lane reserved for bicycles
3. A place where all vehicles must turn left
4. A roadway edge for traffic moving in the same direction

19. How should a driver approach a slow-moving vehicle from the rear?

1. Follow closely until the operator notices
2. Prepare to slow down and pass only when it is safe
3. Pass immediately because the vehicle cannot turn
4. Use the shoulder to avoid waiting

20. What should occupants do after a vehicle fire begins?

1. Stay inside until the flames are visible through the windows
2. Move away from the vehicle and call 911
3. Open the fuel door and pour water on the engine
4. Drive farther before turning off the engine

21. When is the Illinois school-zone speed limit 20 mph in effect?

1. Every day from sunrise to sunset near any school
2. Only when a crossing guard is directing traffic
3. On school days from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. when children are present and signs are posted
4. From 4 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. on school days

22. How long is the temporary paper license Illinois issues at the facility valid?

1. 10 days
2. One year
3. 90 days
4. 30 days

23. What is an Illinois Occupational Driving Permit?

1. A permit for farm equipment
2. A permit for drivers under 16
3. A permit to drive after a DUI without an interlock
4. A permit letting a professional driver suspended for three moving violations drive for work

24. What is the proper first action when law enforcement stops your vehicle?

1. Stop immediately in the traffic lane without signaling
2. Exit the vehicle before the officer reaches it
3. Continue driving until the officer uses a second signal
4. Slow down, signal, and pull safely onto the right shoulder

25. What do red roadway signs indicate?

1. Regulatory instructions that must be obeyed
2. Optional directions to recreation areas
3. Warnings about construction equipment only
4. Services such as fuel or food

26. How should a driver use Illinois' three-second rule on a good road in good weather?

1. Choose a fixed object and ensure the vehicle reaches it no sooner than three seconds after the vehicle ahead
2. Count one second from the time the vehicle ahead passes any object
3. Keep one car length between vehicles at every speed
4. Use the rule only when following a motorcycle

27. When must an Illinois driver use headlights because of windshield wiper operation?

1. Only when wipers have been running for ten minutes
2. Whenever the driver is operating the windshield wipers
3. Only after sunset, even if the wipers are on during daylight
4. Only when another vehicle flashes its headlights

28. What should a driver do if a vehicle enters a flooded roadway or viaduct?

1. Enter slowly after checking only the near edge
2. Avoid driving through it, turn around, and find another route
3. Follow the vehicle ahead because its tires show the water depth
4. Stop in the deepest section and wait for the water to recede

29. When may an Illinois driver drive over a fire hose at an emergency scene?

1. Whenever the hose is flat against the pavement
2. Whenever no firefighter is standing directly on it
3. Only when permitted by the fire official in command
4. Only after turning on the vehicle's hazard flashers

30. What should a driver do when the vehicle's wheels drift onto the shoulder?

1. Jerk the wheel left immediately to return to the lane
2. Accelerate on the shoulder and merge without checking traffic
3. Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, brake gently, check behind, and steer back gradually
4. Brake hard while keeping both wheels on the pavement edge

31. Unless directed otherwise by an officer, what must a driver obey?

1. Only signs posted on expressways
2. A nearby driver's hand gesture instead of signals
3. Traffic signals and pavement markings
4. Lane markings only when traffic is light

32. How far before a rural Illinois railroad crossing may the round advance warning sign be placed?

1. 50 feet
2. Up to 750 feet
3. One mile
4. Directly at the crossing

33. Why are special lights sometimes displayed above individual highway lanes?

1. To identify a lane reserved for parked vehicles
2. To replace every other traffic control
3. To show that the road has no speed limit
4. To change the flow of traffic during certain hours

34. Which vehicles may not be sold or operated in Illinois without safety belts?

1. Vehicles manufactured in 1965 or after
2. Only vehicles built after 1990
3. All vehicles regardless of year
4. Only commercial vehicles

35. What do double solid yellow center lines permit a driver to do?

1. Cross for a permitted left turn into or from an alley, driveway, or street
2. Pass whenever the opposing lane looks empty
3. Cross to make any U-turn on a divided highway
4. Use the lines as a regular travel lane