Illinois: Traffic signals Practice Test
Signal lights, arrows, flashing signals and pedestrian signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Illinois Rules of the Road" (2026), Illinois Secretary of State.
All 28 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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Failing to pay how many automated traffic violations (red-light or speeding) in a municipality may lead to a license suspension?
- Just one
- Five or more
- Two or more
- Twenty or more
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Correct answer: Five or more
Failure to pay five or more automated traffic violations for red-light or speeding violations in a municipality is a suspension offense.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 59
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When is a Stop Here on Red sign used?
- When a traffic signal is flashing red
- When the stopping point at a signal is unclear
- When a traffic signal is out of order
- When a railroad crossing is near a signal
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Correct answer: When the stopping point at a signal is unclear
The Stop Here on Red sign is used when it is not clear where vehicles must stop at an intersection with traffic signals.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 68
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According to the manual, when may a driver disregard a traffic signal or pavement marking?
- When a police or traffic control officer directs otherwise
- When the intersection is clear of all other traffic
- When the driver can safely go around it on the shoulder
- When the signal has been red for more than two minutes
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Correct answer: When a police or traffic control officer directs otherwise
Traffic signals and pavement markings must be obeyed unless a police or traffic control officer directs otherwise.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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May a driver leave the roadway to avoid a traffic signal?
- Yes, if no pedestrians are nearby
- Yes, but only when the light is red
- No, never
- Only when traffic is backed up at the light
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Correct answer: No, never
The manual states that a driver may never leave the roadway to avoid a traffic signal.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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On a vertical traffic light with three colors, in what order do the lights usually appear from top to bottom?
- Green, yellow, red
- Red, yellow, green
- Yellow, red, green
- Red, green, yellow
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Correct answer: Red, yellow, green
Traffic lights usually have red, yellow and green from top to bottom (or from left to right).
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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What must you do when you approach an intersection where the traffic control signals are not working?
- Slow down and go through if no cross traffic is visible
- Yield only to vehicles approaching from your right
- Keep going if you are on the larger of the two roads
- Treat it as an all-way stop and come to a complete stop
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Correct answer: Treat it as an all-way stop and come to a complete stop
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.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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You face a steady red light and there is no marked stop line. Where should you stop?
- In the crosswalk, so you can see cross traffic
- Next to the traffic signal pole
- Before entering the crosswalk
- At the center of the intersection
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Correct answer: Before entering the crosswalk
At a red light, stop at the marked stop line; if there is none, stop before entering the crosswalk.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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At a steady red light where there is no marked stop line and no crosswalk, where should you stop?
- Before entering the intersection
- Just past the curb line of the cross street
- In the middle of the intersection
- At least 100 feet before the traffic signal
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Correct answer: Before entering the intersection
If there is no stop line and no crosswalk, you stop before entering the intersection.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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After stopping at a steady red light, when may you go?
- When the cross traffic has slowed down
- Two seconds after the light turns green
- When the pedestrian signal shows a flashing hand
- When the light is green and the intersection is clear
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Correct answer: When the light is green and the intersection is clear
At a red light, do not go until the light is green and the intersection is clear.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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When may you turn right at a steady red light?
- Never; right turns on red are not allowed
- After stopping, unless a sign prohibits it
- Only when a green arrow is also lit
- Only if you do not need to stop first
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Correct answer: After stopping, unless a sign prohibits it
You may turn right at a red light unless a sign prohibits it, after a complete stop and yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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Before turning right or left on a steady red light, what must you do?
- Come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- Slow to a rolling stop and yield only to pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Stop only if vehicles are approaching from the left side of the road
- Flash your headlights to warn cross traffic and then turn carefully
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Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
For a turn on red, the manual requires a complete stop and yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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What does a steady yellow traffic light warn you of?
- The light is about to turn green
- Pedestrians are about to cross in front of you
- You must speed up to clear the intersection
- The signal is changing from green to red
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Correct answer: The signal is changing from green to red
A steady yellow light warns that the signal is changing from green to red.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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After a yellow light, what must you not do once the red light appears?
- Stop at the marked stop line
- Enter the intersection
- Wait behind the crosswalk
- Look for pedestrians
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Correct answer: Enter the intersection
Once the red light appears, you must not enter the intersection.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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When the light turns green, when may you go?
- Immediately, because a green light gives you the right of way
- Only after coming to a complete stop and looking both ways
- After yielding to any pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection
- Only after tapping your horn to warn other road users
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Correct answer: After yielding to any pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection
At a green light you may go after yielding the right of way to any pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection or crosswalk.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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What must you do at a flashing red traffic light?
- Stop, yield to traffic in the intersection, and go when safe
- Slow down and proceed with caution without needing to stop
- Stop and wait until the light changes to a steady green
- Yield to cross traffic but only stop if a vehicle is coming
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop, yield to traffic in the intersection, and go when safe
At a flashing red light you must stop, yield the right of way to traffic within the intersection or crosswalk, and proceed when safe.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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Where is a flashing red light used at intersections?
- Only in school zones during school hours
- Where a road is closed ahead for construction
- At freeway entrance ramps to meter traffic
- Where a stop sign alone is hard to see
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Correct answer: Where a stop sign alone is hard to see
A flashing red light is used at intersections where a stop sign alone is hard to see or where the stop sign needs more emphasis.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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Besides intersections, where does the manual say flashing red lights are also used?
- At parking garage exits
- At railroad crossings
- At toll plazas
- At freeway on-ramps
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Correct answer: At railroad crossings
Flashing red lights are also used at railroad crossings to warn of approaching trains.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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What should you do at a flashing yellow light?
- Come to a full stop and wait for a green light
- Stop completely, then yield to all cross traffic
- Proceed into the intersection with caution
- Speed up to clear the intersection before it turns red
Show answer
Correct answer: Proceed into the intersection with caution
A flashing yellow light means proceed into the intersection with caution.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 77
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What does a constantly lit red arrow mean?
- You cannot make that movement until a green arrow appears
- You may make the arrow's movement after slowing down
- The arrow's movement is allowed only for buses
- The arrow's lane is closed for the rest of the day
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Correct answer: You cannot make that movement until a green arrow appears
A constantly lit red arrow means you cannot make the movement shown by the arrow until a green arrow appears (with the stated right-turn and one-way left-turn exceptions).
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78
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At a constantly lit red arrow, which movement does the manual allow after a complete stop and yielding?
- A U-turn
- Going straight ahead
- A left turn from a two-way street
- A right turn
Show answer
Correct answer: A right turn
One exception to the red arrow is that you may make a right turn at a red arrow after a complete stop and yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78
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What does a constantly lit yellow arrow mean?
- You may turn after yielding to pedestrians
- The green arrow is ending or the light will soon turn red
- Only vehicles turning left may use the intersection
- The turn lane is closed to all traffic
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Correct answer: The green arrow is ending or the light will soon turn red
A constantly lit yellow arrow means the green arrow is ending or the light is about to turn red.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78
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What does a flashing yellow arrow mean?
- The turn is prohibited until a green arrow appears
- You must stop and wait for a steady green light
- You may turn after yielding to pedestrians and vehicles
- The signal is out of order, so treat it as an all-way stop
Show answer
Correct answer: You may turn after yielding to pedestrians and vehicles
A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn in the arrow's direction after yielding to any pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection or crosswalk.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78
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What does a green arrow pointing upward mean?
- You may go straight ahead only
- You may turn left or right only
- You may go straight or turn right
- You must stop, then go straight
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Correct answer: You may go straight ahead only
When a green arrow points upward, you may go straight ahead only.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78
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Lane signals mounted over each lane of highways and expressways are used most often to:
- Show the speed limit for each lane
- Mark lanes reserved for trucks at night
- Change the flow of traffic during certain hours
- Warn drivers of a railroad crossing ahead
Show answer
Correct answer: Change the flow of traffic during certain hours
Lane signals are used most often to change the flow of traffic during certain hours of the day.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78
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What does a red "X" lane signal over a lane mean?
- Never drive in this lane
- Use this lane only to pass
- Slow down in this lane
- Use this lane only to exit
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Correct answer: Never drive in this lane
You must never drive in a lane when the red "X" is displayed over it.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78
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You are driving in a lane when the lane signal above it shows a yellow "X". What should you do?
- Stay in the lane; it is reserved for you
- Stop in the lane until the signal turns green
- Use the lane only to make a left turn
- Leave the lane safely before a red "X" appears
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Correct answer: Leave the lane safely before a red "X" appears
A yellow "X" means the lane signal is going to change to red, so you should leave the lane safely before the red "X" appears.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78
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What does a flashing yellow arrow lane signal over a lane indicate?
- The lane is closed ahead, so merge to the right now
- The lane is for approaching and making a left turn
- The lane may be used only for passing slower traffic
- The lane will soon open to traffic in both directions
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Correct answer: The lane is for approaching and making a left turn
A flashing yellow arrow lane signal means the lane may be used for approaching and making a left turn.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78
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What does a green arrow lane signal over a lane mean?
- The lane may be used and other signs and signals may be ignored
- The lane is reserved for emergency vehicles
- The lane may be used, but all other signs and signals must be obeyed
- The lane is about to close to all traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: The lane may be used, but all other signs and signals must be obeyed
A green arrow lane signal means the lane may be used, but all other signs and signals must still be obeyed.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (2026), page 78