Illinois: Cheat Sheet

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Road signs

A temporary STOP sign put up by highway authorities should be treated as if it were a permanent STOP sign.
With a handheld STOP sign, you stop until an authorized person, such as a school guard or construction zone flagger, signals that it is safe to proceed.
If the sign shows two children walking with a downward pointing arrow, you are at a school crossing.
At a YIELD sign, when stopping, do so at a marked crosswalk or before entering the intersection.
The DO NOT ENTER sign is posted on one-way streets and other roadways where you are not allowed to enter, such as an expressway ramp from the wrong direction.
The sign tells you that a right turn on a red light, or a left turn on a red light at intersecting one-way streets, is prohibited.
The Do Not Pass sign is posted on some two-lane roads where traffic goes in both directions, and there will also be yellow "no passing" lines on the road.

Right of way & turning

A driver must yield the right of way to other drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians when making a right turn on a red light after a complete stop.
When more than one driver reaches a four-way stop, the first driver to stop should be the first to go.
At an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right.
A driver must yield the right of way when emerging from an alley, building, private road, or driveway after coming to a complete stop.
A driver on the terminating highway of a "T" intersection with no traffic control signs or signals must yield to cross traffic.
A rotary or roundabout is an intersection where traffic travels around a central island in a circular, counter-clockwise direction.
The manual says vehicles entering or exiting a roundabout must yield to all traffic, including pedestrians and bicycles.

Alcohol & drugs

It is illegal to drive if your BAC is .08% or more.
It is illegal to drive with a THC concentration of 5 nanograms or more per milliliter of whole blood, or 10 nanograms or more per milliliter of other bodily substance.
When operating on Illinois roadways, you automatically consent to submit to certain tests, such as breath, blood, urine, or other bodily substance tests.
If a chemical test discloses a BAC of .08% or more (or the THC levels stated in the manual), your driving privileges will be suspended for six months.
If you refuse to submit to chemical testing, your driving privileges will be suspended for one year.
A first DUI conviction results in a minimum one-year revocation of driving privileges.
If you are under age 21 and found to have any trace of alcohol in your system while driving, your driving privileges will be suspended for a minimum of three months.

Traffic signals

When signals are not working, you must treat the intersection as an all-way stop, stop completely, then yield before entering, unless law enforcement directs otherwise.
At a red light, stop at the marked stop line; if there is none, stop before entering the crosswalk.
You may turn right at a red light unless a sign prohibits it, after a complete stop and yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
A steady yellow light warns that the signal is changing from green to red.
At a flashing red light you must stop, yield the right of way to traffic within the intersection or crosswalk, and proceed when safe.
A flashing yellow light means proceed into the intersection with caution.

Speed & following distance

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on interstates and tollways is 70 mph.
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on other highways and rural areas is 55 mph.
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in city/town areas is 30 mph.
The school zone speed limit is 20 mph on school days between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. when children are present and signs are posted.
The manual says to use the three-second rule to determine a safe following distance.
The manual states that doubling your speed quadruples your vehicle's stopping distance.

Sign shapes and colors

The manual states that the eight-sided red sign means STOP, and you must make a complete stop.
The round sign indicates a RAILROAD CROSSING ahead and is an advance warning sign.
A diamond-shaped sign means WARNING; it warns about hazards or possible hazards on or near the roadway.
The five-sided sign means either SCHOOL ZONE or SCHOOL CROSSING.
Signs with a red circle and red slash mean a particular action is not allowed; the picture within the circle shows what is not allowed.

Sharing the road

When passing a bicyclist on any road, including on the shoulder or in a dedicated bicycle lane, keep a minimum distance of 3 feet.
The motorcyclist needs room to maneuver safely and is entitled to the entire lane, so do not share the lane.
Allow at least three to four seconds following distance behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has time to maneuver in an emergency.
Illinois law requires drivers approaching a disabled vehicle using hazard lights on a four-lane highway to change lanes away from it if it is safe to do so.

Pavement markings

Yellow center lines separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions.
Double solid white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction, and crossing them is prohibited.
Solid double yellow lines may be crossed to make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway, or street.
With a solid and a broken yellow line, you may pass only when the broken yellow line is nearest your lane.

Emergency vehicles & work zones

Illinois law requires motorists to immediately pull to the right side of the road and allow the emergency vehicle to pass; sometimes a complete stop may be necessary.
When approaching a stationary emergency/maintenance vehicle with its lights on, motorists must yield, change to a lane away from the emergency workers when possible, and proceed with caution.
Motorists must obey the posted construction zone speed limit 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of the presence of workers.
You must stay stopped until the stop signal arm is no longer extended and the flashing lights are off, or the school bus driver signals vehicles to pass.

Licensing basics

Illinois law requires drivers under 18 to have at least 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving in addition to driver education.
From Sunday through Thursday, the nighttime restriction runs from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (local curfews may differ).
For the first 12 months of licensing or until age 18, passengers are limited to one person under age 20, unless they are siblings, stepsiblings, children or stepchildren of the driver.

Railroad crossings

The manual says you must yield the right of way to any approaching train or railroad equipment.
You must stop within 15-50 feet if there is a posted stop sign, the electric signal is flashing, or the crossing gate is lowered.
If your vehicle is stuck or stalls on the tracks, everyone should get out immediately, call 911, and move away from the tracks.

Pedestrian rights

A driver must come to a complete stop and yield when a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk.
When approaching a pedestrian with a disability using a guide dog, white cane, wheelchair, or other assistive device, the person with a disability has the right of way.
A driver must yield when a pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk on the driver's side of the roadway and there are no traffic control signals.

Seat belts & child safety

Illinois law requires all drivers and passengers (front and back seats) age 8 and older to wear safety belts, even if the vehicle has air bags.
The Child Passenger Protection Act requires all children under age 8 to be properly secured in an appropriate child safety restraint system.
Because an air bag can seriously injure or kill a child in the front seat, it is recommended that children ages 12 and younger be secured in the back seat.

Distracted driving

Illinois law prohibits the use of handheld cellphones, texting, or using other electronic communications while operating a motor vehicle.
Any wireless/cellphone use while driving, including hands-free, is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except to contact police, a health care provider or emergency services in an emergency.
Using a cellphone while holding the device and using the speaker phone is not considered hands-free and is a violation of Illinois law.

Emergencies and special situations

The crash checklist tells drivers to call 911 immediately.
In a skid, ease off the gas pedal or brakes, steer into the direction of the skid until you regain traction, then straighten the vehicle.
If a tire blows out, ease your foot off the gas pedal and keep a firm grasp on the steering wheel, then pull safely off the road.

Parking rules

Facing downhill with a curb, turn the front wheels toward the curb so the vehicle will roll toward the curb.
Standing or parking, whether the vehicle is occupied or not, is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Standing or parking is prohibited within 20 feet of a fire station driveway or crosswalk at an intersection.

Freeway driving

On an interstate or full access controlled freeway, you may not drive in the left lane(s) except when passing another vehicle, with listed exceptions.
During congestion, use both lanes to advance to the lane reduction point and merge there, alternating turns; this is the "zipper merge."

Signals & vehicle controls

In business or residential areas, a continuous turn signal must be given for at least 100 feet before turning.
For a right turn, the hand and arm are extended straight up.

Financial responsibility & insurance

The manual lists $25,000 as the minimum for injury or death of one person in a crash.
The manual lists $50,000 as the minimum for injury or death of more than one person in a crash.

Driving record & suspensions

Three traffic violation convictions during a 12-month period is a suspension offense (two within 24 months if under 21 at arrest).
For drivers under 21 at the time of arrest, two traffic violations within any 24-month period may lead to suspension.

Seniors and driving

Drivers ages 87 and older must renew their license annually.