The Illinois road test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can check that your test vehicle meets SOS requirements.
• You can list the documents a teen brings when applying for a license.
• You can perform each maneuver the examiner grades, including backing about 50 feet and an alley turnabout.
• You can park correctly uphill and downhill, with and without a curb.
• You can avoid the actions that cause an automatic fail.

What you need to know and understand

• The test vehicle must be properly licensed, equipped, insured, in the right weight class, and display valid front and rear plates and a registration sticker.
• You must show proof of insurance at the time of the exam.
• Only the examiner may ride with you; no children or pets.
• You and the examiner must both wear seat belts.
• Any traffic violation or dangerous action during the exam is an automatic fail.
• You have three attempts at each exam within one year of paying the application fee.
• Teens apply with their instruction permit, identification, the signed 50-hour log, and if applicable the consent affidavit and Cooperative Driver Testing Certificate.

Before test day

Check current booking options with the SOS before you go, as appointment arrangements can change. The car must be driven to the facility legally, so if you drive it there on your permit, a qualified supervising adult must sit beside you. Make sure every light, the horn, the brakes and the mirrors work, because the vehicle must have the required equipment listed in the Rules of the Road.

For a teen license, the SOS must already have the notice that you completed driver education. Bring your permit, identification documents, the signed 50-hour log, and if needed the Affidavit/Consent for Minor to Drive and your Cooperative Driver Testing Certificate. If you get your license before the permit expires, there is no extra license fee.

What the examiner grades

1. Vehicle controls: adjust your seat, belt and mirrors and check the parking brake before moving.
2. Backing: reverse about 50 feet slowly, straight and smoothly, turning your head to the right to watch through the rear.
3. Turnabout: signal left, turn into an alley on the left side of the street, back out and stay on your side of the street.
4. Uphill parking and moving off uphill.
5. Downhill parking and moving off downhill.
6. Throughout: obeying signs, signals, right of way and lane markings, and using turn signals correctly.

Getting hill parking right

Remember that any traffic violation or dangerous action, such as rolling through a stop sign or failing to yield to a pedestrian, is an automatic fail. Our deeper road test guide lists what examiners look for.

• Facing downhill with a curb: turn the front wheels toward the curb.
• Facing uphill with a curb: turn the front wheels away from the curb.
• No curb, uphill or downhill: turn the wheels toward the side of the road.
• Put the car in park and set the parking brake. To move off, release the brake, signal, check traffic and go when safe.

Common mistakes

• Adjusting mirrors after you start moving. All adjustments must be made before the car is in motion.
• Looking only in the mirror when backing. Turn your head to the right and look through the rear window.
• Turning the wheels the wrong way when parking uphill against a curb. Turn them away from the curb.
• Bringing a friend or a pet to sit in the car. Only the examiner may ride with you.

Test yourself: The Illinois road test

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Illinois License Fees and How to Book SOS Driving Tests
• Illinois Learner Permit Documents Checklist
• Illinois Road Test