Illinois: Licensing basics — Part 4 Practice Test
Graduated licensing, permits, ID documents, license classes, the exams and vehicle registration. — Part 4
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Illinois Rules of the Road" (2026), Illinois Secretary of State.
All 39 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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Of the required supervised practice hours for drivers under 18, how many must be at night?
- 5 hours
- 15 hours
- 10 hours
- 20 hours
Show answer
Correct answer: 10 hours
The 50 supervised hours must include 10 hours of nighttime supervised driving.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 16
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How are driver's licenses for persons under age 21 printed?
- Horizontally, with a red border
- Vertically, with distinct features
- On paper only until age 21
- Horizontally, marked 'PROVISIONAL'
Show answer
Correct answer: Vertically, with distinct features
Driver's licenses for persons under age 21 are printed vertically with distinct features.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 16
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Which of these must a driver under 18 bring to the DMV when applying for a driver's license?
- A report card showing at least a B average
- A letter from their high school principal
- Proof of their own auto insurance policy
- A 50-hour driving log with proper signature
Show answer
Correct answer: A 50-hour driving log with proper signature
Applicants under 18 must bring their instruction permit, identification, applicable forms and the 50-hour driving log with proper signature.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 16
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Before a driver's license is issued to a young driver, what must appear on their driving record?
- A notation that driver education was completed
- A notation of 100 supervised driving hours
- A parent's signature and consent code
- A passing vision report from an eye doctor
Show answer
Correct answer: A notation that driver education was completed
The Secretary of State must have received notification of successful completion of driver education, and the notation must appear on the driving record.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 17
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Students whose birthdays fall on certain spot-check dates must do what?
- Retake the entire driver education course at a DMV facility
- Complete 20 more hours of supervised nighttime driving
- Pass a DMV driving exam, even after an instructor's road test
- Wait an extra 30 days before they can get their license
Show answer
Correct answer: Pass a DMV driving exam, even after an instructor's road test
Spot-check students must pass a driving exam at a DMV even if they already passed a road test given by their driver education instructor.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 17
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If you receive your driver's license before your instruction permit expires, what fee do you pay when applying for the license?
- The full $30 license fee
- No additional fee
- A $5 upgrade fee
- A $20 permit renewal fee
Show answer
Correct answer: No additional fee
If you get your license before the permit expires, you are not required to pay an additional fee.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 17
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Under the Cooperative Driver Testing Program, high school students may be exempt from the state-administered driving exam if they finish driver education with what combined grade?
- A only
- A, B or C
- Any passing grade
- A or B
Show answer
Correct answer: A or B
Students who complete accredited driver education with a combined grade of A or B may be exempt from the Secretary of State driving exam.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 17
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Who must sign the Cooperative Driver Testing Certificate?
- The instructor and the parent/legal guardian
- The DMV examiner and the school principal
- The student and a school district officer
- Only the student's parent or legal guardian
Show answer
Correct answer: The instructor and the parent/legal guardian
The certificate must be signed by the driver education instructor and the student's parent/legal guardian.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 17
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When does the Cooperative Driver Testing Certificate expire?
- On the student's 18th birthday
- One year after the driving exam
- When the student's permit expires
- Six months after it is signed
Show answer
Correct answer: When the student's permit expires
The certificate expires on the same day as the student's instruction permit and will not be extended.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 17
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A student under 18 who dropped out of high school may still get the driver education notation if, before dropping out, they passed at least how many courses in the previous two semesters?
- Six
- Eight
- Five
- Ten
Show answer
Correct answer: Eight
One exception for dropouts is receiving passing grades in at least eight courses in the previous two semesters before dropping out.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 17
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How may the six-hour Adult Driver Education Course be taken?
- Only in a classroom at a DMV facility, in person
- From any online provider, certified or not
- Only online, through the ilsos.gov website
- Classroom or online, from a certified provider
Show answer
Correct answer: Classroom or online, from a certified provider
The course can only be taught by Secretary of State-certified providers and may be taught in a classroom or online, depending on the provider's certification.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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How many progressive stages does Illinois' Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program have?
- Three
- Two
- Four
- Five
Show answer
Correct answer: Three
The GDL Program has three progressive stages, usually beginning at age 15.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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Illinois' Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program applies to drivers of what ages?
- 16-18
- 15-17
- 15-20
- 16-21
Show answer
Correct answer: 15-20
The GDL Program requires drivers ages 15-20 to work their way toward full driving privileges.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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During the Permit and Initial Licensing phases, what are the nighttime driving restriction hours from Sunday through Thursday?
- 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Midnight to 5 a.m.
Show answer
Correct answer: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
From Sunday through Thursday, the nighttime restriction runs from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (local curfews may differ).
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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During the Permit and Initial Licensing phases, what are the nighttime driving restriction hours on Friday and Saturday?
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Midnight to 6 a.m.
- 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
- 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Show answer
Correct answer: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
On Friday and Saturday, the nighttime restriction runs from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (local curfews may differ).
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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During the nine-month permit phase, what must a teen driver avoid?
- Any driving infractions or court supervisions
- Driving more than 25 miles from home at any time
- Driving any vehicle other than the family car
- Driving with the radio or music turned on
Show answer
Correct answer: Any driving infractions or court supervisions
Permit holders must not acquire any driving infractions, underage alcohol convictions or court supervisions during the nine-month permit phase.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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During the Permit Phase, how many passengers are allowed?
- Two in front and any number in the back seat
- None other than the supervising adult driver
- One in front, plus one per back-seat safety belt
- One passenger under age 20 in the whole car
Show answer
Correct answer: One in front, plus one per back-seat safety belt
In the Permit Phase, passengers are limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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In the Initial Licensing Phase, a driver must keep a conviction-free driving record for how long before turning 18?
- Three months
- Nine months
- Six months
- 12 months
Show answer
Correct answer: Six months
Drivers in the Initial Licensing Phase must maintain a conviction-free driving record for six months before turning 18.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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What may happen if a driver gets a traffic conviction during the Initial Licensing Phase?
- The permit phase restarts from day one
- Restrictions may be extended beyond age 18
- The driver must retake driver education
- Nothing, if the fine is paid on time
Show answer
Correct answer: Restrictions may be extended beyond age 18
A traffic conviction during the Initial Licensing Phase may extend restrictions beyond age 18.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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During the first 12 months of licensing (or until age 18), how many passengers under age 20 may a teen driver carry, not counting certain family members?
- Two
- Three
- None
- One
Show answer
Correct answer: One
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.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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During the first 12 months of licensing, which passengers under 20 do NOT count toward the one-passenger limit?
- Siblings, stepsiblings, children, stepchildren
- Classmates riding to or from the same school
- Cousins and other relatives living nearby
- Teammates on the same school sports team
Show answer
Correct answer: Siblings, stepsiblings, children, stepchildren
The one-passenger-under-20 limit does not apply to the driver's sibling, stepsibling, child or stepchild.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 18
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What does a driver age 16-17 need from a parent/legal guardian to obtain a driver's license?
- Written consent
- A co-signed insurance policy
- A notarized financial statement
- A copy of the parent's license
Show answer
Correct answer: Written consent
A driver age 16-17 must have the written consent of a parent/legal guardian to obtain a license.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 19
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Until when may the parent/legal guardian who gave consent cancel a minor's driver's license?
- Until the driver turns 21
- Only during the permit phase
- Until the driver turns 18
- Only in the first 12 months
Show answer
Correct answer: Until the driver turns 18
The parent/legal guardian who gave consent may cancel the minor's license at any time, for any reason, until the driver turns 18.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 19
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When may a minor's driving privileges be reinstated after the parent withdraws consent?
- After a 30-day wait and a hearing
- When the parent consents again or at 18
- Only when the driver turns 21
- After one year with no violations
Show answer
Correct answer: When the parent consents again or at 18
Privileges are not reinstated until the parent who withdrew consent consents again or the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 19
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After a parent's withdrawal of consent cancels a minor's license, what must the teen do to get a license again?
- Wait 30 days and pay a $5 reinstatement fee
- Complete a new driver education course only
- Nothing; the license returns automatically
- Reapply, take all applicable exams and pay the fees
Show answer
Correct answer: Reapply, take all applicable exams and pay the fees
The teen driver must reapply for a driver's license, take all applicable exams and pay the appropriate fees.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 19
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Using the instruction permit number, what can a permit holder under 21 or their parent check on the Secretary of State's website?
- Their score on the written exam, by section
- Whether their auto insurance policy is active
- Whether driver ed completion is on their record
- The date and time of their next driving exam
Show answer
Correct answer: Whether driver ed completion is on their record
The Instruction Permit Completion Check shows whether high school driver education completion/certification has been added to the driving record.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 19
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What is the Parent-Teen Driving Contract?
- A required form for getting an instruction permit
- A voluntary agreement setting driving boundaries
- An insurance form the parent must file each year
- A court order that limits a teen's driving hours
Show answer
Correct answer: A voluntary agreement setting driving boundaries
The Secretary of State provides a voluntary Parent-Teen Driving Contract that sets parameters and boundaries between parents and teens.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 19
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What may happen to a driver under 18 who violates the nighttime driving restriction during the Permit or Initial Licensing Phase?
- Their driving privileges may be suspended
- They receive a warning with no other penalty
- They must retake the vision screening only
- They must pay a $5 duplicate license fee
Show answer
Correct answer: Their driving privileges may be suspended
Persons under 18 who violate the nighttime driving restriction during those phases may have their driving privileges suspended.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 20
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What may happen to a driver under 18 who has a traffic citation that has not been fully adjudicated by the courts?
- They get an automatic 30-day suspension
- They may be denied issuance of a license
- Their parent must pay double the fine
- Nothing happens until they turn 18
Show answer
Correct answer: They may be denied issuance of a license
Persons under 18 with a traffic citation that has not been fully adjudicated may be denied issuance of their driver's license.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 20
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Which documents must a vehicle operator have to operate a vehicle in Illinois?
- A driver's license only; insurance is optional
- Registration and insurance; a license is not needed
- A valid driver's license, registration, and insurance
- A title and a birth certificate kept in the vehicle
Show answer
Correct answer: A valid driver's license, registration, and insurance
Vehicle operators must have a valid driver's license, registration, and insurance to operate a vehicle.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 21
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Why should motorists familiarize themselves with local traffic laws?
- They replace all state traffic laws
- They may vary between municipalities
- They apply only to commercial drivers
- They are printed on every license
Show answer
Correct answer: They may vary between municipalities
Motorists should know local laws because they may vary between municipalities.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 36
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Under Illinois law, which of these is illegal?
- Driving across a sidewalk that is part of a driveway
- Playing a car radio that can be heard only inside the car
- Carrying as many people as there are seat belts
- Causing an object to fall from an overpass to hit a car
Show answer
Correct answer: Causing an object to fall from an overpass to hit a car
Illinois law says you may not cause an object to fall from an overpass or other elevated location toward a moving vehicle with the intent to strike it.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 36
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When may you drive on a sidewalk?
- Only where it is part of a driveway
- When traffic on the roadway is stopped
- When passing a vehicle turning left
- When avoiding a pothole in your lane
Show answer
Correct answer: Only where it is part of a driveway
Illinois law says you may not drive on a sidewalk except when it is part of a driveway.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 36
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Illinois law forbids overloading a vehicle with passengers or freight so that:
- The trunk lid cannot fully close
- The driver's view is obstructed
- The tires look lower than normal
- The seats are more than half full
Show answer
Correct answer: The driver's view is obstructed
You may not overload a vehicle with passengers or freight so that the driver's view is obstructed.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 36
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Riding in a house trailer while it is being moved on a street or highway is:
- Legal if you wear a seat belt
- Legal on streets under 30 mph
- Legal for adults only
- Illegal in Illinois
Show answer
Correct answer: Illegal in Illinois
Illinois law states that you may not ride in a house trailer while it is being moved on a street or highway.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 36
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Allowing another person to use your driver’s license can lead to what?
- No action if the person is a relative
- Suspension of your driver’s license
- Only a warning letter from the state
- A free replacement driver’s license
Show answer
Correct answer: Suspension of your driver’s license
Using another person’s license or ID card, or allowing another person to use your license, is listed under Fraudulent Driver’s License/ID Application as a suspension offense.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 60
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Which of these is a reason your driver’s license may be canceled?
- Receiving one speeding ticket in a school zone
- Getting a parking ticket in a downtown area
- Failing to submit a required medical or vision report
- Moving to a new home in the same county
Show answer
Correct answer: Failing to submit a required medical or vision report
Medical Condition cancellations include being medically or visually unfit to drive and failing to submit a medical or vision report when required.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 61
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What may happen to your driver’s license if you fail to appear for a required re-examination?
- It is renewed for free
- It may be canceled
- Nothing happens to it
- It is upgraded to a CDL
Show answer
Correct answer: It may be canceled
Failing to appear for a required re-examination, or failing part of a mandatory re-examination, is a reason for cancellation.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 61
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What is a denial?
- The indefinite withdrawal of all of your driving privileges
- The temporary loss of privileges after three convictions
- The termination of a license due to an error in it
- The temporary refusal of the privilege of applying for a license
Show answer
Correct answer: The temporary refusal of the privilege of applying for a license
Denial is the temporary refusal of the privilege of applying for a driver’s license and, in certain instances, an instruction permit.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 61