Illinois SOS Permit Practice Test 20
- Questions35
- Correct to pass28
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age15 years
-
1. On a rural two-lane road you pass small blue signs, each naming one business with an arrow and a distance. What are they?
Show answer
Answer D: Tourist-oriented directional signs for traveler businesses
Tourist-oriented directional signs carry a white legend on blue and are used on rural conventional roads to guide travelers to eligible businesses.
-
2. When does Illinois law specifically require headlights to be turned on besides at night?
Show answer
Answer C: Whenever the windshield wipers are in use
Illinois law requires drivers to use headlights whenever the windshield wipers are operating, and headlights should also be used when objects 1,000 feet away cannot be seen.
-
3. You have just driven through a deep puddle and your brakes feel weak. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Drive slowly while lightly applying the brakes until they dry and work normally
Wet brakes grip poorly and may pull to one side. Gentle braking at low speed generates heat that dries the pads and discs quickly.
-
4. Why is texting considered one of the most dangerous distractions?
Show answer
Answer B: It combines visual, manual and cognitive distraction at the same time
Reading or writing a message takes your eyes off the road, at least one hand off the controls and your attention off driving simultaneously.
-
5. What is the correct first step when parallel parking behind an empty space?
Show answer
Answer D: Signal, pull up alongside the vehicle in front of the space, then back slowly into it
Parallel parking is done in reverse from a position alongside the vehicle ahead of the space, because backing in lets the rear wheels guide the vehicle to the curb.
-
6. When should headlights be switched on besides during the hours of darkness?
Show answer
Answer C: Whenever rain, fog, snow or dust makes it harder to see or to be seen
Headlights are as much about being seen as about seeing, so they go on whenever visibility drops.
-
7. You are turning left from a two-way street onto a one-way street. Which lane should you enter?
Show answer
Answer C: The first lane open to traffic on the left side of the one-way street
Turn left from the lane closest to the center line and finish in the first available lane on the left of the one-way street, then change lanes if you need to.
-
8. A broken white line separates your lane from the lane on your right. What does it permit?
Show answer
Answer C: Changing lanes when it is safe to do so
A normal broken white line marks a boundary between lanes traveling the same way that road users may cross when it is safe.
-
9. In a work zone a flagger is directing traffic in a way that conflicts with the posted signs. Whom do you follow?
Show answer
Answer B: The flagger's directions
A flagger controls traffic through a work area that changes from day to day, and those instructions take precedence over the fixed signs and markings in that zone.
-
10. An arrow panel at a work zone displays a flashing arrow pointing to the left. What does it require?
Show answer
Answer C: Move out of the closed lane into the lane on the left
A flashing or sequential arrow on an arrow panel directs traffic out of a closed lane and into the lane the arrow points to.
-
11. Why is an underinflated tire especially risky on a long drive in hot weather?
Show answer
Answer C: It flexes more, builds up heat and can fail at speed
A soft tire flexes on every rotation, and that flexing makes heat that the hot road and high speed add to until the tire can come apart.
-
12. Under Illinois law, what must you do when approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle displaying flashing lights?
Show answer
Answer B: Yield, change to a lane away from the workers when possible, and reduce speed and proceed with caution
Illinois requires drivers to yield, move to a lane away from emergency workers when possible and reduce speed until safely past; where a lane change is not possible, drivers must slow down and proceed with caution.
-
13. You are approaching a sharp curve. When should you reduce your speed?
Show answer
Answer D: Before you enter the curve, so you can accelerate gently through it
Braking hard inside a curve uses up the traction that is already being demanded for cornering, so the slowing must be finished before you enter.
-
14. You arrive at an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark because of a power failure. How should you proceed?
Show answer
Answer C: Treat the intersection as an all-way stop
When a signal shows no indication at all, drivers on every approach must stop and then take turns, exactly as at an all-way stop.
-
15. A raised area crosses the roadway and carries a series of white markings on its face. What are those markings for?
Show answer
Answer A: To make the hump visible so drivers slow for it
Speed hump markings warn drivers that the pavement rises, which matters most at night or when the hump is in shadow.
-
16. The brake pedal goes to the floor and the vehicle does not slow. What should you try first?
Show answer
Answer C: Pump the pedal quickly to try to build pressure
Most vehicles have a split braking system, so rapid pumping can often build enough pressure to slow you. If it does not, use the parking brake gradually.
-
17. The inside of your windshield keeps fogging up on a cold, damp day. What clears it best?
Show answer
Answer B: The defroster with the air conditioning on, which dries the air
Fog on the inside is moisture from the cabin air. The air conditioner dries that air, and the defroster warms the glass, so together they clear it and keep it clear.
-
18. What is the safest way to deal with a vehicle sitting in your blind spot?
Show answer
Answer A: Slow a little or move ahead so that it is no longer beside you
You cannot control the other driver, but you can change your own speed so that the vehicle is no longer hidden beside you.
-
19. A school crossing guard steps into the roadway and holds up a stop paddle. What must you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Stop and stay stopped until the guard and the children have left the road
A crossing guard directs traffic with legal authority; you must remain stopped until both the guard and the children are clear of the roadway.
-
20. Two solid white lines are painted between your lane and the lane beside it. What do they mean?
Show answer
Answer D: Crossing from one lane to the other is prohibited
Double solid white lines separate lanes of traffic going the same way and may not be crossed.
-
21. You are traveling at 55 mph and see a vehicle ahead moving at about 15 mph. What is the hazard?
Show answer
Answer A: You reach it far sooner than you expect
At a 40 mph difference you cover the gap in a few seconds, which is why drivers strike slow vehicles they saw in plenty of time.
-
22. Another driver is behaving aggressively toward you. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Avoid eye contact, give them room to go on their way and do not respond to provocation
Responding to an aggressive driver escalates the conflict, while creating distance and refusing to engage takes you out of the situation. Report serious threats once you can do so safely.
-
23. In most states, how far before a turn must your signal already be on in city traffic?
Show answer
Answer B: At least 100 feet, roughly the length of six or seven cars
Most states require the signal for at least 100 feet before a turn in city driving, which gives drivers behind you time to react before you slow; several require more at higher speeds.
-
24. You have signaled and pulled up level with the car in front of an empty curb space. What comes next?
Show answer
Answer A: Reverse slowly while turning the wheel toward the curb
From alongside the forward car you back in on a turn toward the curb, then straighten and swing the front in as the rear reaches the space.
-
25. In which crash must the police always be notified?
Show answer
Answer D: Any crash in which somebody has been injured or killed, whatever the damage
Injury or death always makes a crash reportable, whatever the amount of vehicle damage or the opinions of the drivers.
-
26. Why is a wet road at night harder to read than the same road in daylight?
Show answer
Answer A: The wet surface reflects light away and swallows the lane markings
A film of water sends your headlight beam onward instead of back to you, so lines, edges and people in dark clothing almost disappear.
-
27. You have a green light and an ambulance with lights and siren enters the intersection against its red. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer B: Stop and let the ambulance go through
An emergency vehicle answering a call may cross against a red, and every other driver yields to it whatever their own signal shows.
-
28. The engine dies at speed and the dashboard lights go out on a dark road. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Hold the wheel firmly, steer over to the shoulder and use the hazard lights
Never switch the ignition to lock, because the steering can lock; steer to the shoulder and warn traffic with the hazard lights.
-
29. You and the driver facing you both have stop signs at a two-way stop. You are going straight and that driver is turning left. Who has the right of way?
Show answer
Answer B: You do, and the turning driver must wait
Between two opposing drivers who both stopped, the one going straight goes first and the left-turning driver yields.
-
30. You want to stop briefly and the only space is in the travel lane alongside a vehicle already parked at the curb. Is this allowed?
Show answer
Answer D: No, double parking blocks a travel lane and is prohibited
Stopping in the roadway beside a parked vehicle removes a lane from traffic and forces other drivers to swerve around you, which is why double parking is prohibited.
-
31. Why do young drivers carrying several friends face a higher crash risk?
Show answer
Answer D: Because young passengers are a strong source of distraction and pressure
Crash risk for new drivers rises with each extra young passenger, mainly through distraction and social pressure.
-
32. An oncoming vehicle at night has its high beams on and you are being dazzled. Where should you look?
Show answer
Answer A: Toward the right edge of your lane
Looking toward the right edge line keeps you on course while sparing your eyes the worst of the glare. Slow down and do not retaliate with your own high beams.
-
33. You are following a tractor-trailer so closely that its rear doors fill your windshield. What is the main problem?
Show answer
Answer D: You cannot see the road ahead and the truck driver cannot see you
A truck has a deep blind spot directly behind it, and tailgating also hides everything in front of the truck from you. Drop back so you can see and be seen.
-
34. You are stopped inside an intersection waiting for a gap to turn left. How should your front wheels be positioned?
Show answer
Answer C: Pointing straight ahead until you actually begin the turn
If your wheels are already turned left and another vehicle strikes you from behind, you would be pushed into oncoming traffic.
-
35. You are driving slower than the general flow on a multilane highway. Which lane should you use?
Show answer
Answer D: The right lane, keeping the left lanes free for faster traffic and passing
Slower traffic must keep right so that faster vehicles and overtaking traffic can use the left lanes without weaving between lanes.