Illinois: Speed & following distance — Part 1 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “When may you drive at the maximum allowable speed?” · “Who has the discretion to post speed limits different from the standard Illinois limits?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Illinois Rules of the Road" (2026), Illinois Secretary of State.
All 23 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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When may you drive at the maximum allowable speed?
- At any time of day or night
- Only under safe conditions
- Whenever traffic is light
- Only in the left lane
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Correct answer: Only under safe conditions
You may drive at the maximum allowable speed only under safe conditions.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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When no minimum speed limit is posted, how slowly may you drive?
- As slowly as you like, since there is no posted minimum on the road
- No slower than 45 mph on any road, including city/town streets
- No slower than half of the posted maximum speed limit at all times
- Not so slowly that you interfere with the normal movement of traffic
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Correct answer: Not so slowly that you interfere with the normal movement of traffic
When minimum limits are not posted, you should not drive so slowly as to create interference with the normal movement of traffic.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit on Illinois interstates and tollways?
- 55 mph
- 70 mph
- 65 mph
- 75 mph
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Correct answer: 70 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on interstates and tollways is 70 mph.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit on highways with four lanes?
- 55 mph
- 70 mph
- 45 mph
- 65 mph
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Correct answer: 65 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on highways with four lanes is 65 mph.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit on other highways and in rural areas?
- 55 mph
- 45 mph
- 65 mph
- 70 mph
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Correct answer: 55 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on other highways and rural areas is 55 mph.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in city/town areas?
- 20 mph
- 25 mph
- 30 mph
- 35 mph
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Correct answer: 30 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in city/town areas is 30 mph.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in alleys?
- 15 mph
- 5 mph
- 10 mph
- 20 mph
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Correct answer: 15 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in alleys is 15 mph.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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What is the speed limit in a school zone on school days when children are present and signs are posted?
- 15 mph
- 25 mph
- 20 mph
- 30 mph
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Correct answer: 20 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.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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During which hours does the 20 mph school zone speed limit apply on school days, when children are present and signs are posted?
- Between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- At all hours, every day
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Correct answer: Between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The 20 mph school zone limit applies on school days between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. when children are present and signs are posted.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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Who has the discretion to post speed limits different from the standard Illinois limits?
- Individual drivers
- Insurance companies
- Driving schools
- Local municipalities
Show answer
Correct answer: Local municipalities
Local municipalities have the discretion to post speed limits different from those listed.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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In which situation does the manual say you must slow down?
- When entering a straight, empty road
- When approaching the top of a hill
- When leaving a school zone at 5 p.m.
- When the road ahead is dry and clear
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Correct answer: When approaching the top of a hill
You must slow down when approaching and crossing an intersection, going around a curve, approaching the top of a hill, or traveling on a narrow and winding roadway.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 24
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What is a "street sideshow," which is illegal in Illinois?
- A permitted parade of classic cars on a closed public street
- Vehicles pulled over on the shoulder to watch a roadside event
- Vehicles blocking traffic to perform unauthorized stunts or speed contests
- A group of vehicles traveling together in a funeral procession
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Correct answer: Vehicles blocking traffic to perform unauthorized stunts or speed contests
A street sideshow is an event where vehicles block or impede traffic to perform unauthorized stunts, speed contests or exhibitions of speed, and taking part is illegal.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 30
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Weaving from lane to lane to move faster than the traffic flow is:
- Allowed if you signal
- Unlawful
- Allowed on interstates
- Allowed at night
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Correct answer: Unlawful
Weaving from lane to lane to move faster than the traffic flow is unlawful.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 29
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What should you do when you see a Speed Zone Ahead sign?
- Stop at the next intersection ahead
- Move into the far left lane right away
- Be prepared to alter your current speed
- Turn on your hazard flashers until past it
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Correct answer: Be prepared to alter your current speed
The Speed Zone Ahead sign warns that there is a speed zone ahead, so be prepared to alter your current speed.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 66
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On a freeway with a posted minimum speed limit, when is driving slower than that minimum legal?
- Whenever you are in the right lane
- Only when necessary for safety
- Whenever traffic is light
- Never, under any conditions
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Correct answer: Only when necessary for safety
Driving slower than the minimum speed limit is illegal unless necessary for safety.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 66
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Besides school days when children are present, when else does a posted reduced school zone speed apply?
- When a light is flashing
- Only during summer school
- On weekends and holidays
- Only after dark
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Correct answer: When a light is flashing
The posted speed applies on school days when children are present, where a potential hazard exists because of the children's close proximity to traffic, or when a light is flashing.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 69
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What is the cause of most rear-end crashes?
- Driving too slowly
- Worn tires
- Sudden lane changes
- Following too closely
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Correct answer: Following too closely
Following a vehicle too closely, or tailgating, is the cause of most rear-end crashes.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 83
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Which rule does the manual recommend for determining a safe following distance?
- The one-second rule
- The three-second rule
- The five-second rule
- The ten-second rule
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Correct answer: The three-second rule
The manual says to use the three-second rule to determine a safe following distance.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 83
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When using the three-second rule, what do you pick on the road ahead to count from?
- The brake lights of the car ahead
- A broken white lane line
- A fixed object such as a sign
- A moving car two vehicles ahead
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Correct answer: A fixed object such as a sign
To use the three-second rule, select a fixed object on the road ahead, such as a sign, tree, or overpass.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 83
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Using the three-second rule, you are following too closely if your vehicle reaches the fixed object:
- Before the count of one-thousand-three
- After the count of one-thousand-three
- After the count of one-thousand-four
- Only after the count of one-thousand-five
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Correct answer: Before the count of one-thousand-three
Your vehicle should not reach the object before the count of one-thousand-three; if it does, you are following too closely.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 83
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The three-second rule applies on a good road in good weather. What should you do when road or weather conditions are not good?
- Keep the same three-second distance
- Reduce your following distance
- Use your high beams to see farther
- Increase your following distance even more
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Correct answer: Increase your following distance even more
If the road and/or weather conditions are not good, increase your following distance even more.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 83
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What should you do if you are being tailgated?
- Tap your brakes repeatedly to warn the driver
- Change lanes or slowly pull off and let it pass
- Speed up to increase the gap behind you
- Brake suddenly so the driver backs off
Show answer
Correct answer: Change lanes or slowly pull off and let it pass
If you are being tailgated, move to another lane or slowly pull off the road and allow the vehicle to pass.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 83
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How should you choose your driving speed, according to the manual?
- Always drive at exactly the posted speed limit
- Match the flow of traffic, even above the posted limit
- Match conditions and traffic flow, up to the posted limit
- Stay well below the flow of traffic at all times
Show answer
Correct answer: Match conditions and traffic flow, up to the posted limit
Your speed should be adjusted for the conditions and match the flow of traffic, as long as it does not surpass the maximum posted speed limit.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 84