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Illinois Secretary of State · Driver Services

Illinois permit test the SOS written exam

In Illinois, the Secretary of State — not a DMV — licenses drivers, and the written test's format is written into state regulation: at least 35 questions, 80% to pass. This page follows the July 2026 edition of Illinois Rules of the Road and that rule, with 25 practice questions.

Last reviewed October 30, 2026 · Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (DSD A 112.47, July 2026)

The Class D written test has a minimum of 35 questions and requires 80% correct.

What's on the exam

Chapter 2 of Rules of the Road describes three parts:

  • Identifying signs by shape, color and symbol
  • Signals and pavement markings
  • Multiple-choice and true/false questions on traffic laws, safe driving, crash prevention and equipment

You get three attempts per exam within a year of paying the application fee. The same rule bans cheating — get caught and you fail and can't retest for 30 days. Tests come in English and in other languages the Secretary of State adds based on demand. An oral test is available if you can't read, and interpreters are allowed under set conditions. Rules of the Road itself is published in English, Spanish (DSD A 113) and Polish (DSD A 152) on the SOS publications page.

At the Driver Services facility you'll have your photo taken, surrender any other Illinois credentials, pass vision screening and the written exam, and pay the $20 permit fee. Bring proof of identity, your full SSN, two proofs of residency and your signature. REAL ID is optional. We couldn't confirm whether facilities require appointments or offer online permit testing.

Illinois SOS practice test

25 questions written from Rules of the Road 2026 and the SOS testing rule, scored at the official 80%.

Free quiz · no sign-up

Illinois permit practice test

Questions
25
To pass
80%
About
17 min

Instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.

Preview the 25 free questions

  1. Under Illinois rules, what is the minimum length of the Class D written test?

    • 20 questions
    • 25 questions
    • 35 questions
    • 50 questions

  2. What is the pass mark on the Illinois written test?

    • 70%
    • 75%
    • 80%
    • 85%

  3. How many attempts at each exam do you get within one year of paying the application fee?

    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • Unlimited

  4. What does an Illinois instruction permit cost?

    • $10
    • $20
    • $30
    • $5

  5. What is the earliest age for a permit if you're enrolled in approved driver ed?

    • 14
    • 15
    • 15½
    • 16

  6. At what age can you get a permit without driver education?

    • 16
    • 17
    • 17 years 3 months
    • 18

  7. How long must 15- to 17-year-olds hold the permit?

    • 6 months
    • 9 months
    • 12 months
    • 18 months

  8. How much supervised driving is required under 18?

    • 30 hours, 5 at night
    • 40 hours, 10 at night
    • 50 hours, 10 at night
    • 60 hours, 15 at night

  9. How old must the supervising driver be?

    • 18
    • 20
    • 21
    • 25

  10. What is the Sunday–Thursday night limit for permit and initial-license teens?

    • 9 p.m.–6 a.m.
    • 10 p.m.–6 a.m.
    • 11 p.m.–6 a.m.
    • Midnight–5 a.m.

  11. What is the Friday–Saturday night limit?

    • 10 p.m.–6 a.m.
    • 11 p.m.–6 a.m.
    • Midnight–6 a.m.
    • 1–5 a.m.

  12. In the first 12 months of licensing, how many passengers under 20 (other than siblings or children) may a teen carry?

    • 0
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3

  13. Illinois bans even hands-free phone use for drivers under what age?

    • 18
    • 19
    • 21
    • 25

  14. How many classroom hours does approved Illinois driver ed require?

    • 20
    • 24
    • 30
    • 36

  15. Unless posted, what is the Illinois interstate limit?

    • 55 mph
    • 65 mph
    • 70 mph
    • 75 mph

  16. What is the default speed limit in a city or town?

    • 25 mph
    • 30 mph
    • 35 mph
    • 20 mph

  17. What is the speed limit in an alley?

    • 10 mph
    • 15 mph
    • 20 mph
    • 25 mph

  18. On school days, when does the 20 mph school zone limit apply (with children present and signs posted)?

    • 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
    • 6:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
    • 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
    • All day

  19. When do posted work zone speed limits apply?

    • Only when workers are present
    • Daytime only
    • 24/7
    • Weekdays only

  20. What happens to a driver under 21 with any trace of alcohol?

    • A warning
    • A minimum 3-month suspension
    • A 2-year revocation
    • A fine only

  21. Refusing chemical testing suspends your privileges for:

    • 3 months
    • 6 months
    • 1 year
    • 2 years

  22. On a four-lane road, a school bus is stopped facing the opposite direction. You:

    • Must stop
    • Need not stop
    • Must slow to 10 mph
    • Stop only in rural areas

  23. In rural areas, a school bus signals a stop at least how far ahead?

    • 50 feet
    • 100 feet
    • 200 feet
    • 500 feet

  24. If you're caught cheating on the written test, you can't retest for:

    • 1 day
    • 7 days
    • 30 days
    • 1 year

  25. What must adults 18–20 who have never been licensed complete?

    • A 30-hour course
    • A 6-hour Adult Driver Education Course
    • No course
    • TLSAE

Getting the permit: age decides the route

Your ageWhat you need
15 to 17 yrs 3 mosProof you're enrolled in approved driver ed (30+ classroom hours and 6 behind the wheel), or starting within 30 days. Parental consent.
17 yrs 3 mos to 18No driver ed required for the permit.
18 to 20, never licensedA 6-hour Adult Driver Education Course.

The permit is valid 24 months. Teens 15–17 must hold it at least nine consecutive months with no violations and log 50 hours, 10 at night, with a parent, guardian or responsible adult who is 21+, validly licensed and has at least a year of experience. You may carry one front-seat passenger, and rear passengers are limited to the number of seat belts.

Night limits: school nights vs. weekends

Sunday–ThursdayFriday–Saturday
Permit and initial license (under 18)10 p.m.–6 a.m.11 p.m.–6 a.m.

The initial licensing phase (16–17)

  • For the first 12 months (or until 18), only one passenger under 20, unless they're siblings, stepsiblings, children or stepchildren.
  • Stay conviction-free for the six months before you turn 18.
  • A parent can cancel your license until you turn 18.
  • Under 19: no phone use, not even hands-free, except emergencies.

One bonus: under Cooperative Driver Testing, an A or B in driver ed can exempt you from the SOS road test, though some applicants are still spot-checked based on birthdays.

Illinois speed limits (Chapter 4)

Interstates and tollways70 mph
Four-lane highways65 mph
Other highways and rural roads55 mph
City or town30 mph
School zones (school days 6:30 a.m.–4 p.m., children present, signs posted)20 mph
Alleys15 mph

Posted work zone limits apply 24/7. In a work zone, stop handheld phone use (hands-free or a single-side headset is fine) and change lanes away from workers.

Alcohol and the under-21 rules

Any trace of alcohol under 21 means at least a three-month suspension. An under-21 DUI conviction means at least two years' revocation. For all drivers, testing at .08 BAC or 5 ng/mL THC in whole blood triggers a six-month statutory summary suspension, and refusing the test triggers a full year.

Stops you must make

Stop for a school bus everywhere — including school parking lots — except on a four-lane road when the bus is facing the other way. Buses signal 100 feet ahead (200 feet in rural areas). In rural areas, railroad warning signs can be up to 750 feet before a crossing. Failing to slow down and change lanes for a stationary emergency vehicle and causing damage or injury leads to a suspension under Chapter 8.

Not verified: the exact number of questions you'll see (the rule sets a minimum), the specific test languages, appointment policy, online testing, and the full Scott's Law and texting sections.

Nearby states

See Wisconsin (50 questions), Indiana, Iowa (permit at 14), Missouri and Kentucky.

Illinois permit test FAQ

How many questions are on the Illinois permit test?

Illinois's administrative rule (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.80) requires the Class D written test to have at least 35 questions, with 80% correct to pass. The rule sets a minimum, so your test could have more.

How many times can I take the Illinois written test?

Three attempts per exam within one year of paying the application fee. Cheating means an automatic fail and a 30-day ban on retesting.

How much is an Illinois learner's permit?

$20, per the fee table in Rules of the Road 2026.

Can I get an Illinois permit without driver's ed?

Only from 17 years and 3 months. Between 15 and 17 you need proof you're enrolled in approved driver education (or starting within 30 days). Adults 18–20 who were never licensed take a 6-hour Adult Driver Education Course.

Is Rules of the Road available in Spanish?

Yes. The Secretary of State publishes Rules of the Road in Spanish (DSD A 113) and Polish (DSD A 152) as well as English. The rule allows the test in other languages based on demand, but we couldn't confirm which ones are offered.

Can Illinois teens use a hands-free phone?

No. Drivers under 19 can't use a cellphone at all, including hands-free, except in emergencies.

Keep studying

Sources: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.80, ilsos.gov. Independent study site; not affiliated with the Illinois Secretary of State.