Illinois: Distracted driving Practice Test
Cellphone and texting laws, drowsy driving and other distractions.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Illinois Rules of the Road" (2026), Illinois Secretary of State.
All 20 questions in this practice test
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Drivers under what age are prohibited from any cellphone use while driving, including hands-free devices, except in an emergency?
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
Show answer
Correct answer: 19
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.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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When may a driver under age 19 use a cellphone while driving?
- Only to call police or emergency help in an emergency
- Only with a hands-free device and a parent in the car
- Only to call a parent or guardian about a ride home
- Only on a rural road with no other traffic nearby
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Correct answer: Only to call police or emergency help in an emergency
The only exception is an emergency, to contact a law enforcement agency, health care provider or emergency services agency.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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For a driver age 19 or older, what does Illinois law prohibit while operating a motor vehicle?
- Listening to the car radio at low volume
- Using a handheld cellphone or texting
- Using a single-sided earpiece with a phone
- Talking with passengers in the vehicle
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Correct answer: Using a handheld cellphone or texting
Illinois law prohibits the use of handheld cellphones, texting, or using other electronic communications while operating a motor vehicle.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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From what age may Illinois drivers use hands-free devices or Bluetooth technology?
- 16 and older
- 18 and older
- 21 and older
- 19 and older
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Correct answer: 19 and older
Hands-free devices or Bluetooth technology is allowed for persons age 19 and older.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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Under Illinois law, which device is NOT counted as a prohibited headset while driving?
- A hearing aid
- Two-sided earbuds
- Over-the-ear headphones
- A headset covering both ears
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Correct answer: A hearing aid
Headsets are defined as any device, other than a hearing aid, that allows a person to hear or receive electronic communications.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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For a driver age 19 or older, which kind of headset is permitted with a cellphone while driving in Illinois?
- A headset covering both ears
- Noise-cancelling headphones on both ears
- A single-sided headset or earpiece
- Earbuds in both ears
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Correct answer: A single-sided headset or earpiece
Using a single-sided headset or earpiece with a wireless/cellphone device is permitted while driving.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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Who may use intercom helmets that let the driver and passengers speak to one another?
- Motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, and moped operators
- Truck drivers on interstates and tollways only
- Drivers of cars with a sunroof or convertible top
- No one; all headsets are banned while driving
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Correct answer: Motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, and moped operators
Motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, and moped operators may use intercom helmets that permit the driver and/or passengers to speak to one another.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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If you are age 19 or older and must make a phone call while driving, even with hands-free technology, what does the manual recommend?
- Use the speaker phone while holding it
- Keep the call short and drive faster
- Pull off to the side of the road first
- Wait until you are on an interstate
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Correct answer: Pull off to the side of the road first
Hands-free use is still a distraction, so it is recommended that you pull off to the side of the road before making the call.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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Holding your cellphone while using its speaker phone as you drive is:
- Hands-free and allowed for drivers 19 and older
- Not hands-free and a violation of Illinois law
- Allowed if the call lasts less than one minute
- Allowed as long as you keep both eyes on the road
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Correct answer: Not hands-free and a violation of Illinois law
Using a cellphone while holding the device and using the speaker phone is not considered hands-free and is a violation of Illinois law.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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While driving, which of these on a cellphone is a violation of Illinois law for a driver age 19 or older?
- Using a single-sided earpiece for a voice call
- Calling to report an emergency
- Using a hearing aid
- Joining a video conference or accessing social media
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Correct answer: Joining a video conference or accessing social media
Watching or streaming live video, participating in any video conferencing application, or accessing any social media site on a cellphone is a violation of Illinois law.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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When may you use a cellphone that is not hands-free in Illinois?
- While driving slowly in a school zone
- While parked on the shoulder of a roadway
- While driving on an empty rural highway
- While driving through a work zone
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Correct answer: While parked on the shoulder of a roadway
A non-hands-free cellphone may be used to report an emergency, while parked on the shoulder, or while stopped in obstructed traffic with the vehicle in neutral or park.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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You are age 19 or older and stopped because normal traffic is obstructed. When may you use a handheld cellphone?
- When the vehicle is still in drive
- Only if you hold it below the window line
- Never, under any circumstances
- When the vehicle is in neutral or park
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Correct answer: When the vehicle is in neutral or park
You may use a non-hands-free phone while stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed, if the vehicle is in neutral or park.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 22
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What may you face if distracted driving causes a crash with another road user?
- Criminal penalties and incarceration
- Only a written warning from police
- No penalty if no one was killed
- A required retake of the vision test only
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Correct answer: Criminal penalties and incarceration
If you are in a crash with a motor vehicle, bicyclist, pedestrian, or any road user caused by distracted driving, you may face criminal penalties and incarceration.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 23
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When approaching a marked school zone between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on a school day with children present, what must you do with your cellphone?
- Keep using it, but only for texting
- Hold it low, below the window line
- Stop using it unless it is hands-free
- Nothing; phone rules do not change
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop using it unless it is hands-free
In a marked school zone during those hours, a driver must discontinue wireless/cellphone use unless using a hands-free device, reduce speed to 20 mph, and yield to anyone in the crosswalk.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 25
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It is illegal to play a vehicle sound system at a volume that can be heard how far from a vehicle driven on a highway?
- 75 feet or more
- 50 feet or more
- 100 feet or more
- 25 feet or more
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Correct answer: 75 feet or more
You may not operate a sound system at a volume that can be heard 75 feet or more from a vehicle being driven on a highway.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 36
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What does the manual say about drowsy driving?
- It is only dangerous once you actually fall asleep
- It affects drivers only late at night
- It is no risk on short trips around town
- It can impair you even if you don't fall asleep
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Correct answer: It can impair you even if you don't fall asleep
Drowsy driving can impair your ability to drive safely even if you do not fall asleep.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 84
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How does the manual say to avoid drowsiness on long trips?
- Drive faster to finish the trip sooner
- Be properly rested and stop frequently
- Keep driving without breaks until you arrive
- Drive only on expressways
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Correct answer: Be properly rested and stop frequently
You should be properly rested and avoid drowsiness by stopping frequently when taking long trips.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 84
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Which activity does the manual describe as helpful against drowsy driving?
- Keeping your eyes fixed straight ahead
- Driving with all the windows closed
- Reading road signs to exercise your eyes
- Following close to the car ahead
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Correct answer: Reading road signs to exercise your eyes
Exercising your eyes by reading road signs or shifting your focus to different parts of the roadway is helpful.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 84
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Televisions or video monitors that can be seen from the driver's seat are:
- Allowed at speeds of less than 25 mph
- Allowed if the sound is turned off
- Prohibited while the vehicle is in motion
- Allowed only on expressways at night
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Correct answer: Prohibited while the vehicle is in motion
Televisions or video recording monitors that can be seen from the driver's seat are prohibited while the vehicle is in motion.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 93
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According to the manual, watching or streaming a live video on a cellphone is:
- A violation of Illinois law
- Allowed with a hands-free mount
- Allowed only at red lights
- Allowed with one earbud in
Show answer
Correct answer: A violation of Illinois law
Watching or streaming a live video on a cellphone is a violation of Illinois law.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 93