A flashing yellow left arrow is displayed and oncoming traffic is approaching closely. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait for a safe gap, yielding before making the left turn
A flashing yellow arrow permits a cautious turn only after yielding. For a left turn, oncoming vehicles close enough to be an immediate hazard must be allowed through.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026 DSD A112.47, Chapter 10 > Traffic Signals > Yellow Arrow (flashing); printed p. 78, physical PDF page 81. Current-law check: 625 ILCS 5/11-306(b-5)(1); 11-902, reviewed 2026-09-12. Full primary URLs, access status, and retained clauses: illinois-car-rules-2026-09-12.md. ↗
There is no operating traffic signal. A pedestrian is already crossing within a marked crosswalk on your half of the roadway. What does Illinois require?
Correct answer: Stop and yield to the pedestrian
At a crosswalk without an operating signal, Illinois requires stopping and yielding when the pedestrian is on the driver's half of the roadway or approaching so closely from the other half as to be in danger.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026 DSD A112.47, Chapter 4 > Pedestrian Right of Way; Chapter 5 > Pedestrians, printed p. 40 / physical p. 43; printed p. 27, physical PDF page 30. Current-law check: 625 ILCS 5/11-1002(a), reviewed 2026-09-12. Full primary URLs, access status, and retained clauses: illinois-car-rules-2026-09-12.md. ↗
Traffic is slow, and the shared two-way left-turn lane is empty. May you use it to drive ahead of the queue and then merge back?
Correct answer: No; it is reserved for left turns or lawful U-turns, not through travel
A designated two-way left-turn lane is not an extra through or passing lane. Use it only to prepare for or make a left turn from or into the roadway, or a U-turn when otherwise legal.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026 DSD A112.47, Chapter 10 > Pavement Markings > Two-Way Left Turn Lanes; printed p. 80, physical PDF page 83. Current-law check: 625 ILCS 5/11-801(b)(2), reviewed 2026-09-12. Full primary URLs, access status, and retained clauses: illinois-car-rules-2026-09-12.md. ↗
You are on a two-lane, two-way road, and an intersection is 80 feet ahead. You want to cross the centerline only to pass a slower car. No statutory exception applies. Is that allowed?
Correct answer: No; you are within the 100-foot intersection restriction
The statutory restriction applies within 100 feet of or while traversing an intersection or railroad grade crossing. A broken centerline alone does not remove that restriction; separate statutory exceptions are not ordinary passing permission.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026 DSD A112.47, Chapter 4 > Passing > passing is not allowed; printed p. 29, physical PDF page 32. Current-law check: 625 ILCS 5/11-706(a)(2), (b), reviewed 2026-09-12. Full primary URLs, access status, and retained clauses: illinois-car-rules-2026-09-12.md. ↗
It is 7:30 a.m. on a school day. Appropriate school-zone signs are posted, and children are present close enough to traffic to create a potential hazard. What maximum applies while passing the school zone?
Correct answer: 20 mph
The special Illinois school-zone maximum is 20 mph under these conditions. The statutory school-day window is 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; signs and the presence/proximity of children are material qualifiers.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026 DSD A112.47, Chapter 4 > Speed Limits; School Zones, printed pp. 25-26 / physical pp. 28-29; printed p. 24, physical PDF page 27. Current-law check: 625 ILCS 5/11-605(a), reviewed 2026-09-12. Full primary URLs, access status, and retained clauses: illinois-car-rules-2026-09-12.md. ↗
All curb spaces are occupied, so you consider stopping in the traffic lane alongside a parked car while a passenger visits a shop. No emergency or official direction applies. Is that allowed?
Correct answer: No; that is prohibited double parking
Illinois prohibits stopping, standing, or parking on the roadway side of another vehicle parked at the curb, absent a statutory exception. Hazard lights do not create an exception.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026 DSD A112.47, Chapter 4 > Parking > No Stopping, Standing, or Parking; printed p. 35, physical PDF page 38. Current-law check: 625 ILCS 5/11-1303(a)(1)(a), reviewed 2026-09-12. Full primary URLs, access status, and retained clauses: illinois-car-rules-2026-09-12.md. ↗
You approach a stationary authorized emergency vehicle with warning lights flashing, but traffic makes a lane change unsafe. What does Illinois require?
Correct answer: Reduce to a reasonable, proper speed, use due caution, and leave a safe distance until past
When changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, slow appropriately for conditions, proceed cautiously, and leave safe clearance until past. Illinois does not replace this judgment with a universal 20-mph-below-limit rule.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026 DSD A112.47, Chapter 4 > Emergency/Maintenance Vehicles; printed p. 25, physical PDF page 28. Current-law check: 625 ILCS 5/11-907(c)(2) and following warning paragraph, version after P.A. 104-131, reviewed 2026-09-12. Full primary URLs, access status, and retained clauses: illinois-car-rules-2026-09-12.md. ↗
A dry road becomes slippery as the weather deteriorates. What should happen to your following gap?
Correct answer: Increase it beyond the gap used in good conditions
Poor traction or visibility calls for more space to respond and stop.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026, DSD A112.47; Following Distances; printed 83 (physical PDF page 86) ↗
A light rain begins after dry weather. Why should you use extra caution?
Correct answer: Water and road contaminants can reduce grip
The first moisture can mix with dust, oil and other material, reducing grip.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026, DSD A112.47; Weather Conditions — Rain; printed 85 (physical PDF page 88) ↗
Your car has snow tires. What should you conclude about travel on an icy road?
Correct answer: You still need lower speed and extra spacing
Traction equipment does not eliminate the hazards of bad road conditions.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026, DSD A112.47; Weather Conditions — Winter Driving; printed 85 (physical PDF page 88) ↗
Your headlights look dull and unevenly aimed. What should be addressed before night driving?
Correct answer: Clean them and have their aim corrected
Clean, properly aimed headlights are part of a useful view of the road.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026, DSD A112.47; Night Driving; printed 87 (physical PDF page 90) ↗
A power line falls onto your car after a crash. There is no fire or other immediate need to escape. What should occupants do?
Correct answer: Stay in the vehicle and wait for emergency help
Leaving can create an electrical path through your body. The manual distinguishes this from an immediate fire escape.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026, DSD A112.47; Electricity; printed 88 (physical PDF page 91) ↗
Before turning left across an approaching motorcycle's path, what is especially important?
Correct answer: Confirm the rider's approach and intent rather than underestimate its speed
A motorcycle's small size can make its speed and position harder to judge.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026, DSD A112.47; Motorcycles — Intersections; printed 41 (physical PDF page 44) ↗
Why should you avoid shining high beams at a truck you are following?
Correct answer: Its large side mirrors can reflect the glare into the driver's eyes
Reflected glare can interfere with the truck driver's vision.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026, DSD A112.47; Large Vehicles — Night Driving; printed 45 (physical PDF page 48) ↗
Which condition shows that the parking brake needs attention before relying on it on a hill?
Correct answer: It cannot hold the vehicle on the grade
The parking brake needs to hold the vehicle on a slope; a brake that cannot do so is not functioning adequately.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, July 2026, DSD A112.47; Required Equipment — Brakes; printed 92 (physical PDF page 95) ↗
What movement does the crossed-out arrow forbid?
Correct answer: Making a left turn
The red circle and slash over the left-pointing arrow prohibit a left turn.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (July 2026, DSD A 112.47), Chapter 9 > No Right/Left Turn; printed page 66 / physical PDF page 69 ↗
Which hazard lies ahead of this round yellow sign?
Correct answer: A railroad crossing ahead; look and listen for trains and be ready to stop
This is advance warning of a railroad crossing, not the crossing's stop line. Look and listen for trains and be prepared to stop when necessary.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road 2026 (July 2026, DSD A 112.47), Chapter 9 > Shapes of Signs > Railroad Crossing; printed page 63 / physical PDF page 66 ↗
A 16-year-old has finished driver education and the required practice, but has held a valid Illinois instruction permit for only eight months. Can those completed requirements replace the minimum permit-holding period?
Correct answer: No. The permit must be held for at least nine consecutive months before licensing while under 18.
For an applicant under 18, the nine-month permit requirement is separate from driver education and practice hours. Finishing the other requirements early does not shorten that minimum.
Source: Instruction Permit Requirements, under 18 permit validity and nine-month holding bullet; 2026 manual printed 16/PDF 19, Obtaining an Instruction Permit. ↗
A first-time applicant passes the final test in an Illinois-certified Adult Driver Education Course. What does that result mean for testing at the Secretary of State facility?
Correct answer: The applicant must still complete the required vision, written, and road tests.
The course's final test establishes course completion. It is separate from the examinations needed to obtain the driver's license.
Source: Adult Driver Education FAQs > Does the test I take during the Adult Driver Education Course mean I don't have to take the written test when I come to a Secretary of State facility... ↗
After completing the licensing requirements, a driver leaves an Illinois DMV with a valid temporary paper driver's license. Must the driver wait for the plastic card before driving?
Correct answer: No. The valid temporary license is the driving credential while awaiting the permanent card.
The secure temporary driver's license is issued for driving purposes and is valid for 90 days. Follow its restrictions and validity; it is not merely a payment receipt.
Source: Driver's License and State ID Card Information > Driver's License Application and Temporary Paper Credential, 90-day validity and driving-purpose bullets. ↗
