Illinois DMV Practice Test 2026
Illinois has 35 questions with an 80% passing score and a 55% failure rate. The state uniquely requires driver's ed as part of the high school curriculum, and has a day-of-week nighttime curfew — stricter on school nights.
Questions
35
Passing
80%
Min. Age
15
Fail Rate
55%
Test at a Glance
Illinois Knowledge Test Quick Facts
Questions
35
Passing Score
28 of 35
Test Fee
$20 (permit fee; no separate test fee)
Time Limit
No time limit
Min. Age
15
Difficulty
Hard
Online Test?
No — in person only
Based On
2026 Illinois Rules of the Road
The Illinois knowledge test has 35 questions based on the Rules of the Road. With an 80% passing score, you can miss only 7 questions. Illinois requires driver's ed as part of its high school curriculum — one of the few states to mandate it.
What's on the Test
Topics on the Illinois Permit Test
Road Signs & Signals
~25%Traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings. Illinois tests a wide range of regulatory and warning signs.
Traffic Laws & Right-of-Way
~30%Illinois traffic laws, right-of-way rules, pedestrian laws, and school bus regulations.
Safe Driving Practices
~20%Following distances, highway driving, and handling Illinois weather conditions.
Impaired Driving & Penalties
~15%Illinois DUI laws, zero-tolerance for under 21, implied consent, and Scott's Law (Move Over).
Special Situations
~10%Emergency vehicles, railroad crossings, work zones, and winter driving.
How to Get Your Permit
Step-by-Step: Illinois Learner's Permit in 2026
Meet the age requirement
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a learner's permit in Illinois.
Complete driver education
Driver's ed is required and typically taken through your high school program.
Gather your documents
Bring proof of identity, Social Security card, and parent consent (if under 18).
Pass the knowledge test
35 questions. You need 28 correct (80%) to pass. The $20 permit fee covers the test.
Pass the vision screening
Standard vision screening at the Secretary of State office.
Get your permit
Your permit allows supervised driving with a licensed adult 21+ in the front seat.
Illinois GDL (Graduated Driver License) Rules
Holding Period
9 months minimum
Supervised Hours
50 hours (10 at night)
Nighttime Restriction
Sun-Thu 10 PM-6 AM; Fri-Sat 11 PM-6 AM
Passenger Restriction
1 passenger under 20 (first 12 months, unless family)
Cell Phone Rule
No cell phone use under 19
Tips & Common Mistakes
How to Pass the Illinois Permit Test on Your First Try
55% of Illinois test-takers fail on their first attempt. Don't be one of them. Here's what works:
Know Scott's Law
Illinois' Move Over law (Scott's Law) is heavily tested. You must slow down and move over for stopped emergency vehicles.
Study the day-of-week curfew
Illinois has different nighttime curfews for school nights vs. weekends — a unique rule that appears on the test.
Master Illinois-specific signs
Pay attention to railroad crossing signs, work zone markers, and school zone indicators.
Practice full-length tests
With 35 questions, build your stamina with complete practice exams.
Review the Rules of the Road
The official Illinois publication is the primary source for test questions.
Most Commonly Missed Topics in Illinois
- 1Scott's Law (Move Over) requirements
- 2Day-of-week nighttime driving restrictions
- 3Railroad crossing procedures
Failed Your Test?
Just Failed? Here's Your Plan.
It happens — 55% of Illinois test-takers fail on their first attempt.
FAQ
Illinois Permit Test FAQ
How many questions are on the Illinois permit test?+
How much does the Illinois permit test cost?+
Is driver's ed required in Illinois?+
Can I take the Illinois permit test online?+
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Illinois?+
Is the Illinois permit test hard?+
PermitPop is not affiliated with the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS). Test information is based on the 2026 Illinois Rules of the Road and is updated regularly. Always verify current requirements with your state's official DMV website.