Illinois SOS Driver’s License Practice Test

Examen de Manejo Illinois en Español

Pass the written test for your Illinois driver’s license the first time! Use this free practice test to help you prepare.

Ready to test your knowledge? Take the Illinois DMV permit practice test.

IL SOS Sample Test Questions

Use these sample questions in addition to the Illinois SOS practice test above to study for your driver’s license written exam. These questions are based on information you can find in your official driver’s handbook. 

1. When approaching a railroad crossing without mechanical gates or lights, you should:

1. Cross the tracks as quickly as possible.
2. Slow down to 15 mph and be prepared to stop if necessary.
3. Stop on the tracks and look both ways.
4. Approach the railroad tracks at 25 mph.

2. A vehicle should never be parked closer to a fire hydrant than:

1. 15 feet.
2. 5 feet.
3. 30 feet.
4. 100 feet.

3. What is the purpose of rumble strips?

1. To stop runaway vehicles.
2. To help alert drivers that they are drifting out of the lane.
3. To help guide drivers with poor vision.
4. To alert drivers to road work.

4. You may continue carefully through a yellow light if:

1. You are still approaching the intersection.
2. You are in the intersection when the light changes.
3. You are running late.
4. You are turning right.

5. If you have to stop on the shoulder of a freeway because of an emergency, you should:

1. Wave down other drivers to help you.
2. Pull off the road completely and activate your hazard lights.
3. Pull slightly off the road and activate your hazard lights.
4. Pull off the road and reverse to the last exit you passed.

Please refer to the section below to find the answers to the sample questions above. 

IL SOS Written Test Answers

Check your answers below to see how you did. Click through to find an explanation for each topic. Remember to read through your driver’s handbook to gain an understanding of each topic that may show up on the official exam. 

1. When approaching a railroad crossing without mechanical gates or lights, you should: B. Slow down to 15 mph and be prepared to stop if necessary.

2. A vehicle should never be parked closer to a fire hydrant than: A. 15 feet.

3. What is the purpose of rumble strips? B. To help alert drivers that they are drifting out of the lane.

4. You may continue carefully through a yellow light if: B. You are in the intersection when the light changes.

5. If you have to stop on the shoulder of a freeway because of an emergency, you should: B. Pull off the road completely and activate your hazard lights.

Continue studying for your Illinois knowledge test with more free DMV practice tests and explanations in our DMV written test question and answers section. 

Illinois Driver’s Handbook

What you’ll find in the Illinois Driver’s Manual:

• Exams to obtain a driver’s license.
• Rules for drivers under 21 years of age.
• Traffic laws.
• Sharing the road.
• Driving under the influence (DUI).
• Traffic offenses / accidents.
• Revocation, suspension, denial and cancellation of driver’s licenses.
• Traffic signs and pavement markings.
• Suggestions for safe driving.
• Equipment needed for safe driving.
• Ownership of a vehicle.

Illinois SOS Written Test Requirements

You must pass the Illinois SOS written test to receive your Illinois driver’s license.

The Illinois written test contains a total of 35 questions. You will need to answer 28 questions correctly (80%) to pass.

The questions are based on information in the Illinois driver’s manual and will require you to:

• Identify road signs by their shape, color and symbols.
• Identify pavement markings.
• Answer multiple-choice and true / false questions about traffic laws, driving safety, crash prevention, and proper vehicle equipment.

All the information you need to pass the written test can be found in the driver’s manual and in the practice test above. If you read the manual and take a few practice tests, you will be ready to pass your written test on your first attempt.

After Passing the IL Written Test

If you are under 18 years of age, you will have to complete a driver education course and complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice with your driver’s permit before taking the driving test.

If you are between 18 and 20 years old and have never had a driver’s license, you will have to complete a 6-hour adult driver education course.

Illinois Driver’s License & Testing FAQs

Check out the FAQs below to find answers to common questions about getting your driver’s license and taking your written test.

What is the minimum age to get a permit in Illinois?

In Illinois, you need to be at least 15 years old to get a driving permit. The permit will allow you to complete the driver’s education and practice driving with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old.

How long do you have to have a learning permit for if you are under 18?

If you are under 18 years of age, you will have to have your instruction permit for at least 9 months.

After 9 months, you can schedule and take your road test with the IL SOS.

During the 9 month permit phase, you can not receive any traffic violations.

Your Illinois driver’s license is valid for 2 years.

What are the supervised driving requirements if you are under 18 in IL?

With your student’s permission, you will need to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice with 10 hours completed at night. The Illinois SOS provides a driving record that you can use to track your hours.

How many questions are there on the written test?

The written driver’s license test has 35 total questions.

There is a mixture of traffic sign identification questions, multiple choice options, and true / false questions.

How many correct questions do you need to get in order to pass the test?

You need to get an 80% score (28 correct questions) to pass the written test and receive your driver’s license or driver’s permit.

How old must you be to apply for a driver’s license in Illinois?

In Illinois, you can receive a restricted driver’s license when you are 16 years old and have a driver’s permit. You can get a full and unrestricted license when you are 18 years old.

What are the driving restrictions for a graduated driver’s license (GDL) or a provisional license?

With a restricted driver’s license in Illinois do not drive between 10 pm and 6 am from Sunday to Thursday, and do not drive between 11 pm and 6 am on Friday and Saturday.

You should not commit any violations for six months before your 18th birthday.

Passengers are limited to a person under 20 years of age unless the passenger is a sibling, step-sibling, child or step-child of the driver.