Illinois Written Test for Your Permit – Road Rules & Traffic Laws
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#1. If you are 21 years or older and driving a car, you must keep an opened container of wine:
It is illegal to have alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle if the container has been opened.
#2. When driving at night, be sure that you can stop:
Make sure you can stop within the distance you can see ahead (the distance lighted by your headlights). Never overdrive your headlights.
#3. At a railroad crossing with only crossbuck signs, you should:
When approaching a controlled or uncontrolled railroad crossing and the devices are not activated, you should slow down and look in both directions on the track for oncoming trains or railroad equipment. If safe to do so, proceed with caution across the railroad crossing.
#4. Which is one factor that greatly affects your stopping distance?
The ability to stop your car depends on:
- How quickly you can react physically and mentally.
- Your speed.
- The type and condition of the roadway.
- The type and condition of your tires.
- The type, condition and adjustment of your brakes.
- The direction and speed of the wind.
- Vehicle design, weight distribution, suspension and shock absorbers.
A posted speed limit does not affect the stopping distance, only your actual speed does. Speed limits do not tell you at what speed you should drive. They only say you cannot go faster than the speed shown.
#5. Why should you always look carefully for motorcycles before changing lanes?
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.
#6. Drivers are not required to yield to pedestrians in an unmarked crosswalk.
A driver must yield to a pedestrian when the pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk on the driver’s side of the roadway and there are no traffic control signals.
#7. Unless otherwise posted, what is the legal speed limit on a highway with four lanes in an urban area?
The speed limit on highways with four lanes is 65 mph. The maximum speed limit on other highways (less than four lanes) and in rural areas is 55 mph. The maximum speed limit on Interstates and tollways is 70 mph .
#8. 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.
#9. A traffic signal with a yellow arrow means:
The constantly lit yellow arrow means the green arrow is ending or that the light is about to turn red.
#10. You are approaching a stopped emergency vehicle on a multi-lane roadway. The vehicle has its emergency lights activated. What should you do?
When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle using visual signals, Illinois law requires motorists to yield, change to a lane away from the emergency vehicle and proceed with caution. If a lane change is not possible, reduce speed and proceed with caution.
#11. When making a left from a two-lane highway, you should:
To turn left from a two-way road approach the turn with your left wheels close to the center line of the road. Do not turn wide.
#12. At a crosswalk at an intersection, parking is not allowed within the following limit:
Standing or parking a vehicle, whether occupied or not, is prohibited within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
#13. There is a large truck ahead of you. It signals a right turn. What is the main reason for you to stay back and not pass the truck?
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.
#14. 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.
#15. When driving on slippery roads, you should:
Reduce your speed on wet roads and increase your following distance.
#16. What does a solid yellow line on a two-lane road indicate?
No passing lines are solid yellow lines on roads where traffic moves in opposite directions. The lines indicate zones where passing is not allowed. When there is a solid and a broken yellow line separating two lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions, a driver may pass only when the broken yellow line is nearest the driver’s lane.
#17. After you have passed a vehicle moving in the same direction, it is safe to move back into the right-hand lane:
Do not turn back into the right-hand lane until you can see the entire vehicle you have just passed in your rear-view mirror.
#18. You must allow an extra cushion in front of your vehicle when following:
A driver should allow a greater following distance when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver in an emergency. Motorcycles react differently to traffic, weather and road conditions than cars. Riders may respond in ways a vehicle driver does not expect. Wet or icy roads impair a motorcyclist’s ability to brake and maneuver. Wind gusts, both natural and those created by large passing vehicles, can move a motorcycle across an entire lane if the rider is not prepared. Potholes or railroad tracks often require motorcyclists to change positions within their lane. Gravel roads decrease traction and may cause a rider to slow down or brake where a car would not.
#19. Every motor vehicle owner must maintain financial responsibility (liability coverage). The minimum amount your insurance must cover for the injury or death of two or more persons is:
Following are minimum liability insurance limits:
- $25,000 for injury or death of one person in a crash.
- $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in a crash.
- $20,000 for damage to property of another person.
#20. When can you pass a stopped school bus on your side of the roadway?
You must always stop if you are traveling in the same direction as the school bus. A stop signal arm will be extended after the school bus has come to a complete stop. You must then also come to a complete stop. You must remain stopped until the stop signal arm is no longer extended and the flashing lights are turned off or the driver signals you to pass.
Remember, you must obey a uniformed adult school crossing guard who is directing traffic or performing official duties.
Illinois Written Test Specifics
Key numbers for your official Illinois Written Test:
| Number of Questions: | Part I (Traffic signs): 15 Part II (Traffic laws): 20 Total: 35 |
| Correct answers needed: | 28 |
| Passing score: | 80 percent |
| Time limit: | No limit |
| Earliest retest upon failure: | 1 day |
The Test has Two Parts
The Illinois written knowledge exam consists of two parts.
The first part has 15 questions about common traffic signs described in “Rules of the Road.”
The second part has 20 multiple-choice or true-false questions about Illinois traffic laws and safe driving techniques.
This practice test addresses the second part of the written examination.
How hard is the Illinois Permit Test?
The failure rate on the Maryland permit test is about 10%, which means that only one out of ten fails the first time.
Test difficulty is graded very easy, which doesn’t mean that you should not do your best to prepare for the examination.
How to Study for the Illinois Written Test
1 Download the manual Rules of the Road .
“Rules of the road” describes all rules and traffic laws you must learn to pass your written knowledge examination. All answers to test questions are found in this manual.
You can get your copy from any service center or download a PDF version online.
The booklet is written with the knowledge examination in mind. The language is simplified and does not cover all laws or explain every possible situation you may face while driving on Illinois highways. It is intended as a tool for new drivers to help them learn the essential driving rules and help them pass the knowledge test.
Everything in the manual is there for a reason, and you should expect questions to be drawn from all parts of the manual.
2 Use practice tests as a supplement to the manual.
These practice tests are a supplement to the manual, and they don’t replace the manual.
It may be tempting to skip reading the manual and try to learn all rules from the practice tests only.
Even if practice tests and cheat sheets cover all essential items on the written examination, test questions and answers don’t always put facts in context. By reading the manual, you will better understand safety rules and why you should use them.
This practice test and the signs identification test are randomized, which means that questions are drawn from a larger bank of test questions. Every time you take the test, it will be slightly different and show you new questions.
Don’t forget to take both the sign identification test and the rules test when you prepare for your exam.
Six Reasons to Use DMV Practice Tests at LicenseRoute
Part I: Traffic Sign Identification Test
3 Give it time.
Your brain needs time to absorb all the new information whenever you learn something new.
The more you spread your study sessions over time, the better the information will stick for the exam and your future driving.
It would be best if you also tried to be active when studying for your permit test.
Quizzing yourself or having someone else ask questions helps. You can answer in your own words, which improves learning. It is also an advantage to engage in discussions about traffic laws. Again, you can put your own words to important facts about driving.
Here are some common subjects you may want to discuss in a classroom or with family and friends:
What are some major contributory factors to accidents?
Why do teen drivers have a higher accident rate?
What does the right of way mean?
What is distracted driving?
What You Should Know about the Test
You are allowed three attempts to pass.
You have three attempts to pass the knowledge test within one year from the date you paid the application fee, and a new application fee is required for additional attempts.
Don’t try to cheat.
An examiner will warn you if you bring papers or books to the testing area. They will also interfere if you pick up your cell phone while taking the exam, and taking photos of test questions is considered cheating.
If you are found cheating, the test is marked as a failure, and you will be prohibited from retaking it for 30 days.
Taking the test for another person is a criminal offense punishable by a fine and a mandatory minimum of seven days in jail.
There is no time limit.
The test is not timed, and the average test taker finishes in about 15 minutes, giving you plenty of time to read every question twice.
Test takers who fail the test often argue that they didn’t read a question all the way through and picked the wrong answer by mistake.
It is a good idea to read every question and all choices carefully. Don’t be overconfident, and pick the first answer that looks right. Check to make sure your answer makes sense.
Aim for a passing score on both parts of the test.
New drivers usually fail the second part of the test. Use practice tests until you can comfortably reach a full score on both parts.
It may not be over just because you passed.
You must take a knowledge test every eight years to renew your license unless you have a clean driving record with no traffic convictions.
Bookmark these tests, and you can return to them when it is time to retake the exam.
Illinois Sign Identification Test
