Illinois Secretary of State permit practice test 9
25 questions written from the Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112), covering emergencies, alcohol and drugs, road signs, licensing laws and penalties, safe and defensive driving and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why. The real Illinois Secretary of State test has 35 questions and you need 28 right.
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Question 1Your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor. What should you do first?
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A: Pump the brake pedal to build pressure. Pump the brake pedal to build pressure. If that fails, use the parking brake and shift to a lower gear. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Equipment Failure, page 89.
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Question 2What device must be installed on the vehicle of a first-time DUI offender who gets a Monitoring Device Driving Permit?
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D: A Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID). A Monitoring Device Driving Permit requires a BAIID on the offender's vehicle, which reports attempts to drive after drinking or tampering. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID), page 50.
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Question 3Where are you likely to see a DO NOT ENTER sign?
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C: At one-way streets or ramps you may not enter, such as an expressway exit ramp from the wrong direction. DO NOT ENTER is posted on one-way streets and other roads you may not enter, including expressway ramps approached from the wrong direction. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Do Not Enter, page 65.
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Question 4At what age must Illinois drivers take a driving exam when they renew?
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D: 87. Drivers aged 87 and older, and those turning 87 or older at renewal, must take a driving exam. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Driving Exam, page 14.
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Question 5Which of these is an act of aggressive driving?
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A: Repeatedly flashing headlights and honking at other drivers. Aggressive driving includes speeding, tailgating, cutting others off, passing on the shoulder, repeated honking and repeated headlight flashing. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Aggressive Driving, page 89.
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Question 6Where do more than half of all motorcycle crashes occur?
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C: At intersections. More than 50% of motorcycle crashes happen at intersections, most often when an oncoming car turns left in front of the motorcycle. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Intersections, page 41.
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Question 7What do broken white lines between lanes mean?
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D: Traffic moves in the same direction; you may cross to change lanes or turn. Broken white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction, and you may cross them when changing lanes or turning. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): White Lane Lines, page 79.
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Question 8Your gas pedal sticks and you can't free it with your toe. What should you do?
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A: Shift into neutral and brake gently. If the stuck pedal won't come free, shift into neutral and brake gently to slow down. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Equipment Failure, page 89.
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Question 9Which of these is an Aggravated DUI in Illinois?
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A: DUI while driving without a valid license or insurance. Aggravated DUI includes DUI without a valid license, permit or insurance, a third or later DUI, DUI causing injury or death, and DUI while driving a school bus with children or a vehicle for hire. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Aggravated DUI, page 51.
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Question 10What does a WRONG WAY sign tell you?
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C: You are traveling against traffic. WRONG WAY means you are traveling in the wrong direction. It is posted on expressway ramps a short distance past the DO NOT ENTER sign. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Wrong Way, page 66.
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Question 11During the Illinois driving exam, about how far must you back the vehicle in a straight line?
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D: About 50 feet. The driving exam includes backing about 50 feet slowly, straight and smoothly while turning your head right and watching to the rear. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Driving Exam, page 15.
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Question 12An angry driver is trying to provoke you. What should you do?
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A: Don't engage, avoid eye contact, keep doors locked and windows up. Don't retaliate or engage, avoid eye contact, keep doors locked and windows up, and leave room to pull out from behind the car ahead. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Aggressive Driving, page 89.
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Question 13A red light fails to turn green. After how long may a motorcyclist go through the intersection, after yielding to oncoming traffic?
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D: 120 seconds. If a red light doesn't turn green after 120 seconds, a motorcyclist may go through after yielding to oncoming traffic. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Stoplights, page 41.
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Question 14What do double solid white lines between lanes mean?
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C: Crossing is prohibited. Double solid white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction, and crossing them is prohibited. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): White Lane Lines, page 79.
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Question 15You lose steering control in a car with power steering. Why shouldn't you turn off the ignition?
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B: You will lose power steering or the ability to steer. Turning off the ignition will cost you the power steering or the ability to steer. Ease off the gas, use flashers and brake very gently. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Equipment Failure, page 89.
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Question 16Under Illinois' open container law, which is illegal for a car driver?
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A: Having an opened alcohol container in the passenger area. It is illegal to have an opened container of alcohol in the passenger area or to drink in a vehicle; sealed containers are not the problem. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverages/Open Container, page 51.
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Question 17A sign shows a red circle with a red slash over a symbol. What does it mean?
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C: The action shown is not allowed. A red circle with a red slash means the action pictured inside is not allowed. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): No (Not Allowed), page 66.
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Question 18What happens if you commit a traffic violation during your Illinois driving exam?
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B: You automatically fail. Committing any traffic violation or dangerous action during the driving exam is an automatic failure. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Driving Exam, page 14.
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Question 19What can help you stay alert on a long trip?
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C: Stopping frequently and shifting your eyes to different parts of the road. Be well rested, stop frequently on long trips, and exercise your eyes by reading signs and shifting focus around the road. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Drowsy Driving, page 84.
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Question 20May a car share a traffic lane with a motorcycle if there is room?
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A: No, the motorcyclist is entitled to the full lane. Motorcyclists need room to maneuver and are entitled to the entire lane, so don't share it. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Lane Sharing, page 41.
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Question 21What does a single solid white line between lanes going the same way mean?
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C: Crossing requires special care and is discouraged. A single solid white line between same-direction lanes means crossing requires special care and is discouraged. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): White Lane Lines, page 79.
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Question 22What should you do if smoke comes from your vehicle?
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D: Pull off, turn off the engine, move away and call 911. Pull off the road, turn off the engine, move away from the vehicle, and call 911. Don't fight a vehicle fire yourself. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Fire, page 88.
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Question 23What is the minimum revocation for a driver under 21 convicted of a first DUI?
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C: Two years. A driver under 21 convicted of DUI faces at least a two-year revocation for a first conviction. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Drivers Under Age 21, page 52.
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Question 24On a divided highway, who may use the median openings marked with NO U-TURN signs?
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B: Only authorized vehicles such as police, ambulances and snow plows. Those openings are only for authorized vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, snow plows and maintenance equipment. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): No U-Turn, page 66.
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Question 25At what age can an Illinois teen enrolled in an approved driver education course get an instruction permit?
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B: 15. Teens aged 15-17 can get an instruction permit with proof that they are enrolled, or will start within 30 days, in an approved driver education course. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112): Obtaining an Instruction Permit, page 16.
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Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses the same number of questions and passing score as the real test.
Our own questions, written from the Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112) and checked against it. Not affiliated with the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department. Found a mistake? Tell us.