Illinois Permit Test (SOS Written Test) — All Questions

An eight-sided red sign always means:

• a.Come to a complete stop✓
• b.Yield to traffic
• c.Slow down for a curve
• d.No U-turn

A red octagon is a STOP sign; you must stop completely at the marked line or crosswalk, then proceed when it is safe.

A yellow, diamond-shaped sign with a black symbol is used to:

• a.Give a route number
• b.Mark a rest area
• c.Warn of a hazard or change in the road ahead✓
• d.State a parking rule

Yellow diamond signs are warning signs; they alert you to conditions such as curves, merges, or crossings so you can slow and prepare.

A steady yellow traffic signal means:

• a.Stop and do not proceed
• b.Yield only to pedestrians
• c.The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can safely do so✓
• d.Speed up to clear the intersection

A steady yellow warns that the signal is changing to red; stop if you can do so safely rather than trying to beat the light.

A white rectangular sign showing 'SPEED LIMIT 45' is what kind of sign?

• a.A guide sign
• b.A warning sign
• c.A construction sign
• d.A regulatory sign you must obey✓

White rectangular signs are regulatory signs that state laws you must follow, including posted speed limits and turn or lane restrictions.

A flashing yellow traffic light means:

• a.Slow down and proceed with caution✓
• b.Stop completely before proceeding
• c.The road ahead is closed
• d.Turn left only

A flashing yellow light means slow down and cross the intersection carefully, watching for other traffic; it does not require a full stop.

A pentagon (five-sided) sign in Illinois usually marks:

• a.A weigh station
• b.A hospital
• c.A no-passing zone
• d.A school zone or school crossing✓

A five-sided pentagon sign warns of a school zone or school crossing; slow down and watch for children and reduced school-zone limits when in effect.

Two solid yellow lines in the center of a road mean:

• a.You may park on the line
• b.Passing is not allowed in either direction✓
• c.The road is one-way
• d.Passing is allowed for both directions

Double solid yellow lines separate opposing traffic and prohibit passing in both directions; cross them only to turn into or out of a driveway or road.

At an intersection with no signs or signals, you should yield to:

• a.The larger vehicle
• b.A vehicle that arrived first, or the one on your right if you arrive together✓
• c.The vehicle behind you
• d.The faster vehicle

At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to any vehicle already there; if you arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

In Illinois, a right turn on red is:

• a.Allowed without stopping
• b.Allowed only outside city limits
• c.Never allowed
• d.Allowed after a full stop and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it✓

You may turn right on a red light after stopping completely and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a posted sign prohibits the turn.

You approach a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended on a two-lane road. You must:

• a.Continue because oncoming traffic need not stop
• b.Slow to 20 mph and pass
• c.Stop, whether behind or meeting the bus, until the arm is withdrawn and lights stop flashing✓
• d.Pass on the left if clear

On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus loading or unloading with red lights flashing and stop arm out, and remain stopped until it is withdrawn.

When you make a left turn at a green light, you must yield to:

• a.Only bicycles
• b.Only vehicles behind you
• c.No one, since you have a green light
• d.Oncoming traffic and pedestrians crossing your path✓

A green light allows a left turn only after yielding to oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians in the crosswalk that you would cross.

When entering a roundabout in Illinois, you should:

• a.Yield to traffic already circulating and enter when there is a safe gap✓
• b.Expect circulating traffic to yield to you
• c.Enter to the left, moving clockwise
• d.Stop fully even if it is empty

Roundabout traffic moves counterclockwise; drivers entering must yield to vehicles already in the circle and merge when a safe gap appears.

Illinois' Scott's Law (the Move Over law) requires you to do what when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?

• a.Flash your headlights and continue
• b.Speed up past the scene
• c.Slow down and change lanes away from it if you can do so safely✓
• d.Stop in your lane and wait

Scott's Law requires drivers to reduce speed, proceed with caution, and change to a lane away from a stopped emergency or maintenance vehicle displaying flashing lights when it is safe to do so.

The best way to share the road with a motorcycle is to:

• a.Allow a full lane and keep extra following distance✓
• b.Follow closely so they know you are there
• c.Treat the motorcycle's lane as available to you
• d.Pass with only a few inches of clearance

Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; give them the whole lane, increase your following distance, and check carefully for them before changing lanes or turning.

The large blind-spot areas around a semi-truck where the driver cannot see you are called:

• a.Comfort zones
• b.Safety zones
• c.Merge zones
• d.No-zones✓

Trucks have wide no-zones at the front, rear and sides; avoid lingering in them, and remember that if you cannot see the truck driver's mirrors, they cannot see you.

Illinois seat belt law requires that:

• a.Only the driver must buckle up
• b.Seat belts are optional in the back seat
• c.The driver and all passengers must wear a seat belt, with children properly restrained✓
• d.Belts are required only on highways

Illinois requires the driver and every passenger, front and back, to wear a seat belt, and young children must be secured in appropriate child-restraint or booster seats.

Before changing lanes, you should:

• a.Change quickly without signaling
• b.Signal, check mirrors, and glance over your shoulder to check the blind spot✓
• c.Rely only on your rearview mirror
• d.Assume the lane is clear if traffic is light

Signal your intention, check your mirrors, and turn your head to check the blind spot before moving over, because mirrors alone do not show everything beside you.

On rural interstate highways in Illinois, the maximum posted speed limit is generally:

• a.70 mph✓
• b.55 mph
• c.80 mph
• d.65 mph

Illinois posts a maximum of 70 mph on many rural interstate highways; limits are lower on urban interstates and other roads, so always obey the posted sign.

The basic speed law in Illinois means you must:

• a.Always drive the posted limit exactly
• b.Drive at least 40 mph on any road
• c.Never drive faster than is reasonable and proper for conditions✓
• d.Match the speed of surrounding traffic no matter what

Under the basic speed law you must never drive faster than is reasonable and proper for the conditions, which may require driving below the posted limit in rain, snow or fog.

In fog, rain or snow, a good rule for following distance is to:

• a.Keep exactly one car length
• b.Keep the same distance as on dry roads
• c.Increase your following distance because stopping takes longer✓
• d.Follow closer to see better

Reduced traction and visibility mean you need more space; increase your following distance and slow down so you can stop safely in poor conditions.

If your vehicle begins to skid on ice or snow, you should:

• a.Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go✓
• b.Pump the horn and brake firmly
• c.Brake hard and hold the wheel straight
• d.Accelerate to straighten out

To recover from a skid, take your foot off the accelerator, avoid slamming the brakes, and steer gently toward where you want the front of the vehicle to point.

When must you turn on your headlights in Illinois?

• a.Only after midnight
• b.Only on interstates
• c.Only when other cars have theirs on
• d.From sunset to sunrise and whenever weather requires wipers or you cannot see clearly✓

Illinois requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever conditions such as rain, snow or fog reduce visibility or require continuous wiper use.

A driver age 21 or older in Illinois is legally driving under the influence (DUI) at a blood alcohol concentration of:

• a.0.08% or higher✓
• b.0.05% or higher
• c.0.02% or higher
• d.0.12% or higher

For drivers 21 and older, a BAC of 0.08% or higher is DUI in Illinois; impairment from alcohol or drugs at lower levels can still bring charges.

Under Illinois' Zero Tolerance law, a driver under age 21 can lose their license for driving with a BAC of:

• a.0.05% or higher only
• b.Any amount greater than 0.00%✓
• c.0.08% or higher only
• d.0.02% or higher only

Illinois has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21; any trace of alcohol above 0.00% can result in driver's license suspension.

During the first 12 months (or until age 18), an Illinois teen with an initial license may carry how many passengers under age 20 who are not family?

• a.Only one✓
• b.Up to five
• c.No limit
• d.Up to three

For the first 12 months or until turning 18, a newly licensed teen may carry only one passenger under 20 who is not a family member; after that the limit rises.

By driving on Illinois roads, you give 'implied consent,' which means:

• a.You waive your right to a road test
• b.You may refuse any test without penalty
• c.Police may search your home
• d.You agree to chemical testing for alcohol or drugs, and refusing brings a license suspension✓

Implied consent means that by driving you agree to submit to breath, blood or urine testing when lawfully requested; refusing results in a statutory summary suspension of your license.

Illinois' Graduated Driver Licensing places a nighttime driving restriction on teen drivers that generally prohibits driving during late-night hours, such as:

• a.8 p.m. to 4 a.m. every night
• b.Only between midnight and 1 a.m.
• c.There is no nighttime restriction
• d.11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on other nights✓

Teen drivers face a nighttime curfew, generally 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday, with limited exceptions for work or emergencies.