Photo: Asher Heimermann, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Illinois Secretary of State’s workbook describes the permit written test as 35 questions, 15 of them on traffic signs, in multiple-choice and true-or-false form. This free practice test copies that split in multiple-choice form: 15 sign questions, then 20 on Illinois traffic laws and safe driving. Every question is original and unofficial, written from the Illinois Rules of the Road topics and Illinois law; none are the SOS’s own questions.
Illinois written test format
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 35 questions, 15 on sign identification (SOS workbook) |
| Question types | Multiple choice and true or false |
| Pass mark | 80% correct, so 28 of 35 (Illinois Administrative Code, title 92, section 1030.80(b)) |
| Also required | Vision screening: 20/40 or better with or without glasses or contacts, and 140 degrees of side vision |
| Study source | 2026 Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112) and its workbook |
Illinois Administrative Code section 1030.80(b) requires 80% correct on a Class D written test of at least 35 questions. That means 28 correct on a 35-question test. The 30-of-35 practice target below is our study suggestion, not an official booking requirement or a pass prediction. What to bring, the $20 permit fee and retake rules are in the Illinois permit test guide.
Section A: traffic signs (questions 1 to 15)
1. A red octagon always means:
- A. Stop
- B. Yield
- C. Do not enter
- D. No left turn
Answer: A. STOP signs are the only eight-sided signs. Rules of the Road topic: traffic control devices, signs.
2. A red and white downward triangle means:
- A. Yield the right of way
- B. Stop, then go
- C. Merge left
- D. Lane closed
Answer: A. Slow down, give way to traffic and pedestrians, and stop if needed. Rules of the Road topic: signs.
3. Yellow diamond-shaped signs:
- A. Warn of road conditions or hazards ahead
- B. Mark speed limits
- C. Show tourist sites
- D. Give directions
Answer: A. Diamonds are warning signs. Rules of the Road topic: warning signs.
4. A five-sided sign warns of:
- A. A deer crossing
- B. A school zone or school crossing
- C. A hospital
- D. A railroad crossing
Answer: B. The pentagon shape is used for school signs. Rules of the Road topic: signs.
5. A round yellow sign with an X and RR means:
- A. Right turn required
- B. Road repair ahead
- C. Rest area ahead
- D. Railroad crossing ahead
Answer: D. This is the railroad advance warning sign. Rules of the Road topic: signs.
6. A yellow pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road means:
- A. Narrow bridge
- B. No passing zone
- C. Two-way traffic
- D. Merging traffic
Answer: B. The pennant marks the beginning of a no passing zone. Rules of the Road topic: signs.
7. Orange signs warn you of:
- A. Truck routes
- B. Evacuation routes
- C. Snow routes
- D. Road construction or maintenance work
Answer: D. Orange is the work zone color. Slow down and watch for workers. Rules of the Road topic: work zones.
8. A white rectangular sign with black letters is usually a:
- A. Guide sign
- B. Recreation sign
- C. Regulatory sign
- D. Warning sign
Answer: C. White rectangles set rules such as speed limits and lane use. Rules of the Road topic: regulatory signs.
9. A blue sign on an expressway shows:
- A. Hazards
- B. Exit numbers only
- C. Motorist services such as gas, food and lodging
- D. Speed limits
Answer: C. Blue signs point to services. Green signs show directions and brown signs show recreation. Rules of the Road topic: guide signs.
10. A red circle with a diagonal slash over a symbol means:
- A. The action shown is allowed at night only
- B. The action shown is prohibited
- C. The action shown is recommended
- D. The road ahead ends
Answer: B. The slashed circle means the action shown is prohibited. Rules of the Road topic: regulatory signs.
11. A steady yellow signal means:
- A. Speed up to get through
- B. The signal is about to turn red; stop if you safely can
- C. Yield to pedestrians only
- D. Turn left freely
Answer: B. Stop for a yellow if you can do so safely. If you are already in the intersection, continue. Rules of the Road topic: signals.
12. A flashing red signal means:
- A. Pedestrians only
- B. Slow down
- C. Come to a full stop, then go when safe
- D. The signal is off; ignore it
Answer: C. Treat a flashing red light as a STOP sign. Rules of the Road topic: signals.
13. A flashing yellow left-turn arrow means:
- A. Stop, then turn without yielding
- B. Left turn is protected
- C. No left turn
- D. Turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
Answer: D. The turn is permitted but not protected. Rules of the Road topic: signals.
14. Yellow center lines separate:
- A. Parking from traffic
- B. Lanes going the same direction
- C. Bike lanes from car lanes
- D. Traffic moving in opposite directions
Answer: D. Yellow lines divide opposite flows. White lines divide same-direction lanes. Rules of the Road topic: pavement markings.
15. A white diamond painted in a lane means the lane is:
- A. A passing lane only
- B. Reserved for special use, such as high-occupancy vehicles
- C. A school zone
- D. Closed
Answer: B. Diamond markings show a reserved lane, such as an HOV or bus lane. Read the signs for who may use it. Rules of the Road topic: pavement markings.
Section B: Illinois laws and safe driving (questions 16 to 35)
16. Two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop at the same time. Who yields?
- A. The faster vehicle yields
- B. The vehicle on the left yields to the right
- C. The vehicle on the right yields to the left
- D. Nobody yields
Answer: B. First to stop goes first; if two arrive together, the driver on the left yields. Rules of the Road topic: right of way.
17. You are turning left on a green light with no arrow. You must yield to:
- A. Oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- B. Vehicles behind you
- C. Nobody
- D. Parked cars
Answer: A. A left turn on a plain green light is permitted, not protected. Rules of the Road topic: right of way, turns.
18. When may you turn right on a red light in Illinois?
- A. Never
- B. Only with a green arrow
- C. After a complete stop and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it
- D. Without stopping, if the road is clear
Answer: C. Stop fully and yield to pedestrians and traffic first. Rules of the Road topic: turns.
19. An emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches. You should:
- A. Pull to the right edge and stop until it passes
- B. Keep going if it is behind you
- C. Speed up
- D. Stop in an intersection
Answer: A. Yield by pulling over to the right, out of intersections, and stopping. Rules of the Road topic: emergency vehicles.
20. Illinois’s Scott’s Law requires you, when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights, to:
- A. Flash your high beams
- B. Reduce speed and change lanes away from it if safe; if you cannot, slow down further and proceed with caution
- C. Keep your speed and lane
- D. Stop completely behind it
Answer: B. “If it’s flashing, move over.” Since January 1, 2026, you must also yield to authorized emergency vehicles working on the highway with lights flashing, stationary or moving. See Scott’s Law explained. Rules of the Road topic: emergency vehicles.
21. The fine for a first Scott’s Law violation in Illinois is:
- A. $50 to $100
- B. $100 to $500
- C. $250 to $10,000
- D. A warning only
Answer: C. First violations carry $250 to $10,000; a second or later violation $750 to $10,000, with suspension if property damage, injury or death results. Rules of the Road topic: emergency vehicles.
22. A school bus stopped ahead has its red lights flashing and stop arm out. You are behind it. You must:
- A. Honk and pass
- B. Pass on the left slowly
- C. Stop only if children are crossing
- D. Stop and remain stopped until the arm is withdrawn and the lights are off, or the driver signals you on
Answer: D. Traffic behind a stopped school bus always stops. Oncoming traffic stops too, except on a four-lane road when the bus is stopped in the opposite direction. Rules of the Road topic: school buses.
23. The road is posted at 55 mph, but rain is heavy and visibility is poor. You should:
- A. Drive faster to get through it
- B. Drive 55 mph
- C. Drive slower, at a speed safe for conditions
- D. Stop on the shoulder until it ends
Answer: C. The speed limit is a maximum. Adjust for weather, traffic and visibility. Rules of the Road topic: safe driving.
24. Before changing lanes on an expressway, you should:
- A. Signal and move right away
- B. Check the rearview mirror only
- C. Signal, check mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot
- D. Brake first
Answer: C. A quick look over your shoulder catches vehicles your mirrors miss. Rules of the Road topic: expressway driving.
25. A driver under 21 is stopped for a traffic violation and found to have any trace of alcohol. Under Illinois’s zero tolerance law, a first offense brings:
- A. A $25 fine only
- B. A 3-month suspension of driving privileges
- C. A warning letter
- D. No penalty below 0.08
Answer: B. The Secretary of State lists 3 months for a first offense and 1 year for a second. Refusing the test brings 6 months for a first violation. Rules of the Road topic: alcohol and other drugs.
26. Under Illinois zero tolerance, what happens to a driver under 21 who refuses a chemical test for the first time?
- A. A 6-month suspension, longer than the 3 months for a first offense
- B. A warning letter
- C. Nothing; refusal avoids a penalty
- D. A 30-day suspension
Answer: A. A first refusal brings a 6-month suspension, compared with 3 months for a first offense. Rules of the Road topic: alcohol and other drugs.
27. What lowers your blood alcohol level?
- A. Only time
- B. A cold shower
- C. Exercise
- D. Coffee
Answer: A. Only time lowers it, and nothing speeds it up. Rules of the Road topic: alcohol and other drugs.
28. What is the earliest age for an Illinois instruction permit?
- A. 14
- B. 15, if enrolled in approved driver education (or starting within 30 days)
- C. 16
- D. 15 and a half
Answer: B. The permit is available from 15 with driver education enrollment and parent or guardian consent. Rules of the Road topic: Illinois driver’s license.
29. How long must a 15 to 17 year old hold an Illinois permit before the road test?
- A. 3 months
- B. 6 months
- C. 9 months
- D. 12 months
Answer: C. At least 9 months, while logging 50 hours, 10 of them at night. Rules of the Road topic: graduated driver licensing.
30. During the permit and initial licensing phases, Illinois teens may not drive on a Tuesday night between:
- A. 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- B. 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- C. 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- D. Midnight and 5 a.m.
Answer: B. Sunday through Thursday the limit is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; Friday and Saturday it is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Exceptions include driving with an adult, for work, school or church events, and emergencies. Rules of the Road topic: graduated driver licensing.
31. On a Saturday night, the Illinois teen night limit begins at:
- A. 10 p.m.
- B. 11 p.m.
- C. Midnight
- D. 1 a.m.
Answer: B. Friday and Saturday nights, the limit runs from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Local curfews can be stricter. See Illinois GDL rules. Rules of the Road topic: graduated driver licensing.
32. For the first 12 months of the initial licensing phase (or until 18), how many passengers under 20 may a new Illinois driver carry, not counting siblings, stepsiblings, children or stepchildren?
- A. Two
- B. One
- C. Three
- D. None
Answer: B. One passenger under 20. Family members listed are exempt, and a moving violation in the first 12 months extends the limit by 6 months. Rules of the Road topic: graduated driver licensing.
33. An 18-year-old Illinois driver wants to take a hands-free call while driving. Is it legal?
- A. Yes, but only on expressways
- B. Yes
- C. Yes, if on speaker in their hand
- D. No. Drivers under 19 may not use a cellphone at all while driving, except for emergency calls
Answer: D. The under-19 ban covers hands-free and Bluetooth calls. From 19, the all-driver rule applies: hands-free only, no holding the phone. See the Illinois teen phone ban. Rules of the Road topic: safe driving, distractions.
34. For adult Illinois drivers, which phone use is legal while driving?
- A. Watching a video
- B. Holding the phone on speaker
- C. Texting at a red light
- D. Hands-free or Bluetooth use
Answer: D. Hand-held use, texting and other electronic communication are banned for all drivers. Holding the phone on speaker does not count as hands-free. Rules of the Road topic: safe driving, distractions.
35. Your car starts to skid on a slick road. You should:
- A. Brake hard
- B. Ease off the gas and steer gently where you want the car to go
- C. Accelerate
- D. Turn sharply the opposite way
Answer: B. The handbook says to ease off the gas or brakes and steer into the direction of the skid until the tires grip, then straighten. Rules of the Road topic: safe driving, adverse conditions.
Scoring
| Section | Questions | Target |
|---|---|---|
| A: signs | 15 | 14 or 15. Signs are the easiest marks in the test. |
| B: laws and safe driving | 20 | 16 or more |
| Total | 35 | 30 or more before you book |
The SOS workbook (DSD DS 9) has its own sample questions and a summary of every sign. Use it with US road signs by shape and color to lock in Section A.
Common questions
Are these real Illinois SOS test questions?
No. They are original, unofficial practice questions. The real test is drawn from the Illinois Rules of the Road.
What score do I need on the Illinois permit test?
The official administrative code requires 80% correct. On a 35-question test, that is 28 correct. Our higher practice target is advice only.
Is there a separate Illinois sign test?
The workbook describes the 15 sign questions as part of the 35-question written exam, not a separate test.
What happens if I fail?
You get three attempts at each exam within one year of paying your application fee. If you are caught cheating, you fail and cannot retake the exam for 30 days.
Can I take the test in another language?
The SOS says the Class D test is offered in 23 languages, including English.
Where do I go next?
See learning to drive in Illinois, or practice tests for other states.
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State, “2026 Illinois Rules of the Road” (DSD A 112, July 2026), Chapters 2 to 6, 9, 10 and 11 (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Illinois Rules of the Road Workbook” DSD DS 9 (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Graduated Driver Licensing” (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois Secretary of State, “Zero Tolerance/Underage Drinking” (ilsos.gov)
- Illinois State Police, “Move Over Law” and leaflet ISP 1-163 (isp.illinois.gov)
- Illinois General Assembly, “625 ILCS 5/11-907 and 5/12-610.2” (ilga.gov)
- Illinois Administrative Code, title 92, section 1030.80(b) (ilga.gov)