Illinois Driver License: Traffic Laws

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Traffic Laws. Free, no account needed.

1. Police lights appear behind you on a two-lane road. There's a bridge just ahead, and a paved shoulder begins right after it ends. Where should you stop?

Continue to the shoulder just past the bridge
Reverse to a driveway behind you
In your travel lane with hazards flashing
On the bridge, since it's the first available spot

Answer: A — Continue to the shoulder just past the bridge

Bridges are specifically listed as unsafe places to stop; the driver should continue to the next safe place, the shoulder past the bridge.

2. An officer walks up to your window after a stop. What should you be doing with your hands?

Holding your phone with your insurance card displayed
Reaching into the glove box for your registration
Resting them in your lap
Keeping both hands on the steering wheel

Answer: D — Keeping both hands on the steering wheel

Keep both hands on the wheel until the officer says otherwise, so movements don't look aggressive.

3. A police officer issues you a traffic ticket and asks you to sign it. What does signing it mean?

You are agreeing to pay the fine immediately
You are acknowledging receipt of the ticket, not admitting guilt
You are waiving your right to contest it in court
You are admitting guilt to the violation

Answer: B — You are acknowledging receipt of the ticket, not admitting guilt

Signing a ticket only acknowledges receipt; it is not an admission, and disputes go to traffic court.

4. A driver wants to make a hands-free Bluetooth phone call while driving. At what age is this allowed?

18 and older
19 and older
21 and older
16 and older

Answer: B — 19 and older

Hands-free or Bluetooth phone use is only permitted for drivers 19 and older.

5. A driver's car is stopped in gridlocked traffic that isn't moving, with the transmission in park. Is picking up a handheld phone to make a call allowed?

Only if the vehicle is parked in a marked parking space
No, handheld phone use is never allowed while the vehicle is running
Yes, because the vehicle is stopped in obstructed traffic and in park
Only if the call is switched to speakerphone first

Answer: C — Yes, because the vehicle is stopped in obstructed traffic and in park

A non-hands-free phone may be used while stopped in obstructed traffic with the vehicle in neutral or park.

6. A 7-year-old is riding in a back seat equipped with lap-and-shoulder belts. What restraint does the law require?

An appropriate child restraint system
A lap belt alone is sufficient
No restraint is required in the back seat
A standard lap-and-shoulder seat belt only

Answer: A — An appropriate child restraint system

Children under 8 must use an appropriate child restraint, not just an adult seat belt.

7. A short driver is adjusting the seat before driving off. How much space should be kept between the driver and the steering wheel airbag?

18 to 20 inches
4 to 6 inches
As close as possible for better control
10 to 12 inches

Answer: D — 10 to 12 inches

Drivers, especially short, elderly or pregnant ones, should keep 10 to 12 inches between themselves and the airbag.

8. A child is 18 months old, weighs 25 pounds and is 32 inches tall. What kind of car seat is required?

A booster seat with a lap-and-shoulder belt
A lap belt alone in the back seat
A rear-facing seat, since the child is under 2 and under 40 pounds or 40 inches
A forward-facing seat with a harness

Answer: C — A rear-facing seat, since the child is under 2 and under 40 pounds or 40 inches

Children must ride rear-facing until age 2 unless they exceed 40 pounds or 40 inches, which this child does not.

9. You are driving on a four-lane highway with no posted speed limit signs. What is the maximum legal speed?

55 mph
70 mph
65 mph
30 mph

Answer: C — 65 mph

Unless posted otherwise, four-lane highways carry a 65 mph limit.

10. You are driving through a marked school zone at 7:30 a.m. on a school day with children present. What speed limit applies?

15 mph
30 mph
20 mph
55 mph

Answer: C — 20 mph

School zones are limited to 20 mph on school days between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. when children are present and signs are posted.

11. You drive through a highway construction zone late at night when no workers are visible. Does the posted work zone speed limit still apply?

Yes, it applies 24 hours a day, seven days a week regardless of whether workers are present
Yes, but it is cut in half when workers are absent
No, it only applies when workers are actually present
No, it only applies during daytime hours

Answer: A — Yes, it applies 24 hours a day, seven days a week regardless of whether workers are present

The posted work zone limit is in force at all times, and may drop further when workers are present.

12. You approach a stationary highway maintenance vehicle on the shoulder with amber lights flashing. What should you do?

Yield, move over a lane if possible, and slow to a reasonable speed until past
Only slow down if the lights are red or blue
Maintain your speed and lane since it isn't a police vehicle
Stop completely until the vehicle leaves

Answer: A — Yield, move over a lane if possible, and slow to a reasonable speed until past

Stationary emergency or maintenance vehicles showing amber (or blue, red, white, green) flashing lights require yielding, moving a lane away when possible, and slowing until past.

13. A funeral procession with headlights and hazard lights on is proceeding through town. Can you pass it or drive between its vehicles to get ahead?

Yes, as long as you use your turn signal first
No, unless you are headed to the same destination
Yes, if there is no oncoming traffic
No, except in a lane specifically provided for passing, or if police direct otherwise

Answer: D — No, except in a lane specifically provided for passing, or if police direct otherwise

You may not drive between procession vehicles or pass except in a provided passing lane, unless police direct otherwise.

14. Two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop at exactly the same time, approaching from directions perpendicular to each other. Who goes first?

The vehicle on the right goes first
The vehicle on the left goes first
Whoever reaches the center of the intersection first
The larger vehicle goes first

Answer: A — The vehicle on the right goes first

On a tie at a four-way stop, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.

15. You enter an intersection to turn left while the light is green, but it turns red before you complete the turn. What should you do?

Wait for the next green light before moving
Stop immediately in the middle of the intersection
Complete the turn since you entered legally on green
Back up out of the intersection

Answer: C — Complete the turn since you entered legally on green

A driver who entered the intersection on green may finish a left turn even after the light turns red.

16. A pedestrian is currently walking in a marked crosswalk ahead of your vehicle. What must you do?

Honk to alert the pedestrian and proceed
Come to a complete stop
Slow down but proceed if there is room
Only stop if the pedestrian has a disability

Answer: B — Come to a complete stop

Drivers must come to a complete stop when a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk.

17. You're passing a car on a two-lane highway. How do you know it's safe to return to your original lane?

As soon as your front bumper is even with theirs
After counting to five
When the entire vehicle you passed is visible in your rearview mirror
When you can see their headlights in your side mirror

Answer: C — When the entire vehicle you passed is visible in your rearview mirror

A passing driver should not return to the lane until the entire passed vehicle is visible in the rearview mirror.

18. You are passing a bicyclist riding in a bike lane. How much clearance must you give?

At least 3 feet
At least 6 feet
At least 1 foot
No specific distance is required

Answer: A — At least 3 feet

Drivers must keep at least 3 feet from a bicyclist anywhere, including a bike lane.

19. You're on a two-lane road and the vehicle ahead of you has stopped and signaled to turn left, with room to get around it. What may you legally do?

Passing is not allowed under any circumstance here
Pass on the right using the shoulder
Pass on the right within the lane, without using the shoulder
Pass on the left only, waiting for the turn to finish

Answer: C — Pass on the right within the lane, without using the shoulder

Passing on the right is allowed when there is room and the vehicle ahead is turning left, but never on the shoulder.

20. You're driving on an interstate in clear weather, not passing anyone, with the right lane open and unobstructed and no emergency or construction vehicles around, and a car is directly behind you in the left lane. Is it legal to keep driving there?

Yes, as long as you're within the speed limit
Yes, the left lane is unrestricted on interstates
No, the left lane is only for passing when a vehicle is directly behind you
No, the left lane may never be used except during construction

Answer: C — No, the left lane is only for passing when a vehicle is directly behind you

On an interstate you may not drive in the left lane except to pass, unless no vehicle is directly behind you or another listed exception applies; here a vehicle is behind you, so it isn't allowed.

21. A driver wants to open the traffic-side door safely after parking. Which technique reduces the risk of hitting a passing cyclist?

Using the far (right) hand to open the door, which naturally turns the body toward traffic
Opening the door only partway and squeezing out
Opening the door with a foot while looking forward
Using the near (left) hand to open the door quickly

Answer: A — Using the far (right) hand to open the door, which naturally turns the body toward traffic

The Dutch Reach uses the right hand to open the door, which turns the body toward oncoming traffic.

22. You plan to turn right onto a side street in a rural area, outside any business or residential district. How far before the turn must you signal?

At least 50 feet
At least 100 feet
At least 200 feet
At least 500 feet

Answer: C — At least 200 feet

Outside business or residential areas, a continuous signal is required at least 200 feet before turning.

23. A driver's turn signal lights are broken, so a hand signal is used instead. What arm position indicates a right turn?

Left arm pointed down
Left arm straight up
Left arm straight out
Left arm waving out the window

Answer: B — Left arm straight up

With hand signals, the left arm held straight up signals a right turn.

24. A driver approaches a roundabout for the first time. Which direction does traffic flow around the central island?

Counterclockwise
Straight through without curving
Clockwise
Either direction depending on the lane

Answer: A — Counterclockwise

Roundabouts carry traffic counterclockwise around the central island.

25. You're driving on a four-lane road when a school bus stops with its lights flashing on the opposite side of the road, heading the other direction. Must you stop?

Yes, but only if it's a two-lane road
No, only trucks are exempt from stopping
Yes, you must always stop for a stopped school bus
No, you need not stop since the bus is on the opposite side of a four-lane road

Answer: D — No, you need not stop since the bus is on the opposite side of a four-lane road

On a four-lane road, drivers need not stop for a bus loading or unloading on the opposite side.

26. A driver is convicted of passing a stopped school bus that had its lights flashing and stop arm extended. What are the consequences?

A warning only for a first offense
Vehicle impoundment only
License suspension, a mandatory $300 fine, and community service
A $50 fine with no effect on the license

Answer: C — License suspension, a mandatory $300 fine, and community service

Passing a stopped school bus with lights and arm extended results in license suspension, a mandatory $300 fine, and community service.

27. Your vehicle stalls directly on railroad tracks and you can hear a train approaching. What should everyone in the vehicle do?

Run away in the direction the train is heading
Get out immediately, call 911, and move away at a 45-degree angle toward the direction the train is coming from
Stay inside with seatbelts fastened and brace for impact
Try to push the vehicle off the tracks before exiting

Answer: B — Get out immediately, call 911, and move away at a 45-degree angle toward the direction the train is coming from

Everyone should exit at once, call 911, and move away at a 45-degree angle toward the direction the train is coming from, clear of flying debris.

28. You approach a railroad crossing where the signal lights are flashing. Within what distance from the tracks must you stop?

5 to 10 feet
50 to 100 feet
100 to 150 feet
15 to 50 feet

Answer: D — 15 to 50 feet

Drivers must stop within 15 to 50 feet of the tracks when the signal flashes, among other warning conditions.

29. You park facing downhill on a street with a curb. Which way should your front wheels be turned?

It depends on which side of the street you're on
Straight ahead
Toward the curb
Away from the curb

Answer: C — Toward the curb

When parked downhill with a curb present, the wheels should be turned toward the curb.

30. You want to leave your car on a city street. How close to a fire hydrant may you legally park?

No closer than 30 feet
No closer than 15 feet
No closer than 20 feet
No closer than 10 feet

Answer: B — No closer than 15 feet

Standing or parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited.