Illinois Permit Test (SOS Written Test) — All Questions
27 questions
An eight-sided red sign always means:
- a.Yield to traffic
- b.Come to a complete stop✓
- c.No U-turn
- d.Slow down for a curve
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.State a parking rule
- c.Warn of a hazard or change in the road ahead✓
- d.Mark a rest area
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.The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can safely do so✓
- b.Speed up to clear the intersection
- c.Stop and do not proceed
- d.Yield only to pedestrians
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 warning sign
- b.A guide 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.Stop completely before proceeding
- b.Slow down and proceed with caution✓
- 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 no-passing zone
- b.A hospital
- c.A school zone or school crossing✓
- d.A weigh station
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.Passing is not allowed in either direction✓
- b.Passing is allowed for both directions
- c.The road is one-way
- d.You may park on the line
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.The vehicle behind you
- c.A vehicle that arrived first, or the one on your right if you arrive together✓
- 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.Never allowed
- b.Allowed after a full stop and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it✓
- c.Allowed without stopping
- d.Allowed only outside city limits
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.Stop, whether behind or meeting the bus, until the arm is withdrawn and lights stop flashing✓
- b.Slow to 20 mph and pass
- c.Pass on the left if clear
- d.Continue because oncoming traffic need not stop
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.No one, since you have a green light
- b.Only vehicles behind you
- c.Only bicycles
- 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.Stop fully even if it is empty
- b.Yield to traffic already circulating and enter when there is a safe gap✓
- c.Enter to the left, moving clockwise
- d.Expect circulating traffic to yield to you
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.Slow down and change lanes away from it if you can do so safely✓
- b.Stop in your lane and wait
- c.Speed up past the scene
- d.Flash your headlights and continue
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.Follow closely so they know you are there
- b.Treat the motorcycle's lane as available to you
- c.Allow a full lane and keep extra following distance✓
- 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.Merge zones
- b.Comfort zones
- c.Safety 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.The driver and all passengers must wear a seat belt, with children properly restrained✓
- c.Seat belts are optional in the back seat
- 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.Signal, check mirrors, and glance over your shoulder to check the blind spot✓
- b.Rely only on your rearview mirror
- c.Change quickly without signaling
- 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.55 mph
- b.65 mph
- c.70 mph✓
- d.80 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.Never drive faster than is reasonable and proper for conditions✓
- b.Always drive the posted limit exactly
- c.Drive at least 40 mph on any road
- 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.Follow closer to see better
- b.Keep exactly one car length
- c.Keep the same distance as on dry roads
- d.Increase your following distance because stopping takes longer✓
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.Brake hard and hold the wheel straight
- b.Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go✓
- c.Accelerate to straighten out
- d.Pump the horn and brake firmly
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.From sunset to sunrise and whenever weather requires wipers or you cannot see clearly✓
- d.Only when other cars have theirs on
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.0.02% or higher
- c.0.05% 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.0.08% or higher only
- b.0.05% or higher only
- c.0.02% or higher only
- d.Any amount greater than 0.00%✓
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.No limit
- b.Only one✓
- c.Up to three
- d.Up to five
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 may refuse any test without penalty
- b.Police may search your home
- c.You agree to chemical testing for alcohol or drugs, and refusing brings a license suspension✓
- d.You waive your right to a road test
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.11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on other nights✓
- b.8 p.m. to 4 a.m. every night
- c.There is no nighttime restriction
- d.Only between midnight and 1 a.m.
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.