Illinois SOS practice tests 2026
Get ready for the Illinois written knowledge tests: numbered practice tests that follow the official Illinois format, with 128 questions on Illinois law, from teen licensing and speed limits to alcohol limits and insurance, plus the road rules that apply everywhere.
Choose your Illinois test
Car
The written knowledge test for a learner permit or a Class D driver license.
Motorcycle
The written test for a Class M license or motorcycle endorsement.
CDL
The general knowledge test every commercial driver license applicant takes.
Handbook
The official Illinois driver, motorcycle and CDL handbooks every test is based on.
All Illinois practice tests
Illinois Permit Practice Tests
Illinois Motorcycle Practice Tests
Illinois CDL General Knowledge Practice Tests
How to pass the Illinois knowledge test
- Read the handbook. Every question comes from the official Illinois manuals; the handbook page links to the agency's own copies.
- Practice test by test. Each numbered test mixes Illinois law with the national road rules, like the real exam.
- Read every explanation. Especially for answers you got right by guessing.
- Simulate the real exam on the category page when you pass the tests comfortably.
Illinois written test format
| Test | Questions | Pass mark | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 35 | 28 correct (7 mistakes allowed) | 15 years with proof of enrollment in an approved driver education course; 17 years and 3 months without driver education |
| Motorcycle | 25 | 20 correct (5 mistakes allowed) | 16 years; applicants aged 16 or 17 must also complete an IDOT-approved motorcycle training course |
| CDL | 30 | 24 correct (6 mistakes allowed) | 18 years for an intrastate CLP or CDL; 21 years for interstate operation or to transport passengers |
Car. The Secretary of State states that the written exam has 35 questions, 15 of them on traffic sign identification. The passing score is not published; 28 correct is the 80 percent standard the state applies and is listed as unconfirmed.
Motorcycle. The Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual confirms that a knowledge test and a Rider Skill Test are required for a Class L or Class M classification, but it does not publish the number of questions or the passing score. The counts shown here are not confirmed by an official source.
CDL. The Illinois CDL Study Guide states that the general CDL core knowledge test consists of 30 standardized multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum score of 80 percent.
What the Illinois questions cover
| Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
| Licensing and permits | 16 |
| Graduated licensing for teen drivers | 5 |
| Speed limits | 7 |
| Alcohol limits and DUI | 20 |
| Penalties and points | 10 |
| Phone use and distraction | 7 |
| Insurance requirements | 16 |
| Move over law | 11 |
| Other state rules | 36 |
Sources and accuracy
The Illinois facts on this site were checked against these official sources on September 2, 2026. Test formats that the SOS does not publish are marked as such in the notes above.
- ilsos.gov/publications/motorist/rorts.html
- ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf
- ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x140.pdf
- ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_cdl10.pdf
- isp.illinois.gov/Patrol/PatrolMoveOverLaw
- idot.illinois.gov/travel-and-maps/safety/safety-training/motorcycle-training.html
DMV Exam Test is not affiliated with the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department. To book a test, pay fees or check your license, use the official SOS website.