PassEveryTest

Driving

Illinois Permit Practice Test 2026

In Illinois, the Secretary of State's Driver Services Department gives the written exam for an instruction permit. These practice questions cover Illinois's own rules first, from its graduated licensing law to phone and DUI rules, then general US rules and road signs.

Read before you practiseStart with the Illinois Rules of the Road Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    What is the minimum age for an Illinois instruction permit?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 15

    Illinois issues instruction permits from age 15 to teens enrolled in driver education.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What must an Illinois teen be enrolled in to get an instruction permit?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An approved driver education course

    Illinois requires teen permit applicants to be enrolled in driver education.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    How long must an Illinois teen hold an instruction permit before getting a license?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 9 months

    The learner stage in Illinois lasts at least 9 months.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    How many hours of supervised driving must an Illinois teen complete in the permit phase?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 50 hours, including 10 at night

    Illinois requires 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    What is the minimum age for an Illinois driver's license in the initial licensing phase?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 16

    Teens can enter the initial licensing phase at 16 after completing the permit phase.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    On Sunday through Thursday nights, when may an Illinois driver under 18 NOT drive?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

    Illinois night limits for young drivers are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    On Friday and Saturday nights, when may an Illinois driver under 18 NOT drive?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

    On Friday and Saturday nights the limit is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    During the first 12 months with an Illinois license, how many passengers under 20 may a teen driver carry, not counting family?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One

    For the first 12 months, no more than one passenger under 20 is allowed, except family members.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    At what age do Illinois night driving limits for young drivers end?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 18

    Full nighttime driving privileges begin at age 18.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    What is the earliest age an Illinois teen driver can carry passengers without the GDL passenger limit?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 17

    The passenger limit applies for the first 12 months of licensing, so it can end at 17 at the earliest.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    Illinois new drivers aged 18 to 20 who did not take school driver education must complete what?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A 6-hour adult driver education course

    Applicants aged 18 to 20 without school driver education must finish a 6-hour adult driver education course.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Under Illinois law, drivers under what age may not use a cell phone at all while driving?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 19

    Illinois bans all cell phone use by novice drivers under 19, with primary enforcement.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    What does Illinois law say about adult drivers holding a phone while driving?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Handheld phone use is banned, and police can stop you for it

    Illinois has a primary handheld phone ban for all drivers. Hands-free use is allowed for adults.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Which Illinois drivers are banned from texting while driving?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. All drivers

    Texting while driving is banned for all drivers in Illinois.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    In Illinois, a child under 2 who weighs less than 40 pounds and is under 40 inches tall must ride how?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In a rear-facing child restraint

    Illinois requires a rear-facing child restraint for children under 2 who are under 40 pounds and under 40 inches.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    Under Illinois law, children under what age must use a child restraint system?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 8

    Illinois requires a child restraint for children under 8.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    How long is the administrative license suspension for a first DUI offense in Illinois?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 6 months

    A first offense brings a 6-month administrative license suspension.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    After how long can an Illinois driver with a first-offense DUI suspension ask for limited driving privileges?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 30 days

    Limited driving privileges are available after 30 days of the suspension.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    What does Illinois require for drivers convicted of DUI?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. An ignition interlock device

    Ignition interlocks are mandatory for all DUI convictions in Illinois.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    At what BAC do Illinois DUI penalties increase for a high blood alcohol level?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 0.16%

    Illinois raises DUI penalties when the BAC is 0.16% or higher.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    What is the maximum speed limit for cars on Illinois rural interstates?
    SPEEDLIMIT55
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 70 mph

    Cars and trucks may travel up to 70 mph on Illinois rural interstates.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    What is the maximum speed limit on Illinois urban interstates?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 55 mph

    The maximum on urban interstates is 55 mph.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    What is the maximum speed limit for cars on other Illinois limited-access highways (not interstates)?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 65 mph

    Other limited-access roads allow cars up to 65 mph and trucks up to 55 mph.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    Where does Illinois law allow speed cameras in safety zones?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Within 1/8 mile of a school or park district

    Speed cameras may be used in safety zones within 1/8 mile of a school or recreational park district, and in work zones when workers are present.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    At what age must Illinois drivers take a road test to renew their license?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 75 and older

    Illinois requires a road test for license renewal at ages 75 and older.

What to know before the test

  • Teens can get an instruction permit at 15 while enrolled in driver education, and must hold it at least 9 months.
  • Teens must log 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night.
  • Drivers under 18 may not drive 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, or 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
  • In the first 12 months of licensing, teens may carry only one passenger under 20, not counting family.
  • Drivers under 19 may not use a cell phone at all while driving, and all drivers are banned from handheld use and texting.
  • New drivers aged 18 to 20 who skipped school driver education must take a 6-hour adult course.

Frequently asked questions

How old do you have to be to get a permit in Illinois?

15, and you must be enrolled in an approved driver education course.

How long do you need a permit in Illinois?

At least 9 months, with 50 hours of supervised driving including 10 at night.

What is the curfew for Illinois teen drivers?

Drivers under 18 may not drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, or from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Can Illinois teens use a phone while driving?

No. Drivers under 19 may not use a cell phone at all while driving, even hands-free.

Who gives the permit test in Illinois?

The Illinois Secretary of State's Driver Services facilities. Study the Illinois Rules of the Road booklet before you go.

Sources

Related tests