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How to get an Illinois Drivers License

Illinois Drivers License
  • Illinois Driver's License Guidelines
  • How to Prepare for the Written Exam
  • Required IL and Paperwork

IL Driver's License Rules and Requirements

Find out the steps to get your ILdrivers license, pass your DMV written test, replace your out-of-state license and the required paperwork to bring to the DMV office to get your driver's license.

Try Sample Test!

All applicants need to be familiar with the Illinois Driver's Manual. Think you know the material? Take our DMV practice test now and test your driving knowledge.

Get your IL Driver's Permit

If this is your first driver's license, you will need to apply for an Illinois learner's permit which requires a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques.

Once you receive a valid learner's permit, you will then need to pass a road skills and vision test to receive an IL driver's license.

Illinois law requires that new drivers, under the age of 18, certify that they have received at least 50 hours (10 at night) of supervised driving instruction by a parent or legal guardian.

Prepare for the Written Knowledge Test

The Illinois DMV requires that all applicants must pass a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques. If you fail the exam, some states require you to wait until at least the next day to take the test again and charge a re-examination fee.

All new drivers are encouraged to study for this driver education exam so you don't miss the opportunity to get your learners permit as soon as you reach the approved age. Online practice tests are available that provide real sample questions from the DMV Exam - Take the Illinois practice test now and test your driving knowledge.

New Illinois Residents

New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain an Illinois driver's license within 90 days of establishing a permanent residence in IL. When heading to the DMV, be sure to bring the license from your former state as you will be required to surrender it in order to obtain the new license.

To obtain an Illinois license, you must successfully complete a vision screening, written examination and possibly a driving examination.

International Drivers

International visitors to Illinois may drive using a valid driver's license from their home country.

Immigrants or foreign nationals in the US on a work or student visa may apply for a Temporary Visitor Driver's License (TVDL). Visitors who apply for a TVDL will be required to pass the vision, written and road skills test. The TVDL is good for 3 years or upon expiration of the visa, whichever comes first.

Required Paperwork

Before you head to the Illinois DMV Office, make sure you have all of the following required documents to get your driver's license:

On the Road

Once your licensing requirements have been met, you will receive your new:

  • Restricted Driver's License (16 years to 17 years of age) expires three months after the 21st birthday.
  • Full Driver’s License (18 years to 20 years of age) expires three months after the 21st birthday.
  • Full Driver’s License (21 years of age and older) valid for 4 years./li>

Remember... the safe operation of a vehicle requires practiced skill, knowledge, and a respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the other drivers and the environment.

Illinois Driver's License Resources

Free DMV Practice Test

Try these 5 sample questions

1. If your right wheels are off the pavement, __________

Check Answer

Incorrect, the correct answer is B: brake lightly.

Correct! You answered B: brake lightly.

Explanation:
When you are driving, things can happen very quickly. You may have only a fraction of a second to make the right move. Here's how to handle your right wheels being off the pavement. -Take your foot off the gas pedal. -Hold the wheel firmly and steer in a straight line. -Brake lightly. -Wait until the road is clear. -Turn back on the pavement sharply at slow speed.

In the handbook:
Right Wheels Off Pavement

Next Question

2. On a two-lane road with traffic in both directions, an approach for a left turn should be made in the part of the __________ half of the roadway __________ the center line.

Check Answer

Incorrect, the correct answer is C: right, nearest

Correct! You answered C: right, nearest

Explanation:
Turning a corner may seem to be a simple operation, but many traffic crashes are caused by drivers who do not turn correctly. There are nine steps in making a good turn: -Make up your mind about your turn before you get to the turning point. Turn signals are required when changing lanes. Never make "last minute" turns. -If you must change lanes, look behind and to both sides to see where other vehicles are located before making your turn. -Move into the correct lane as you near the intersection. The correct lane for the right turn is the lane next to the right edge of the roadway. -On a two-lane road with traffic in both directions, an approach for a left turn should be made in the part of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line. -Give a turn signal to let other drivers know what you are going to do. -Slow down to a safe turning speed. -When you are slowing to make a right turn, the bicyclist you passed may be catching up to you. Search over your shoulder before turning. Yield to bicyclists and pedestrians. -Yield to pedestrians who may be crossing your path when turning left. Always scan for pedestrians before starting the turn. -Make the turn, staying in the proper lane. Yield the right-of-way to vehicles (including bicycles) coming from the opposite direction. -Finish your turn in the proper lane. If you reach an intersection where you wish to make a right or left turn and are not in the proper lane, you should drive to the next intersection. Then make the turn from the proper lane.

In the handbook:
Making Turns

Next Question

3. The risk of death is __________ times greater if you are thrown from a vehicle than if you remain in the vehicle during a crash.

Check Answer

Incorrect, the correct answer is C: five

Correct! You answered C: five

Explanation:
In a crash, you are far more likely to be killed if you are not wearing a safety belt. Wearing shoulder belts and lap belts make your chances of living through a crash twice as good. In a crash, safety belts: -Keep you from being thrown from the vehicle. The risk of death is five times greater if you are thrown from a vehicle in a crash. -Keep you from being thrown against others in the vehicle. -Keep the driver behind the wheel, where he or she can control the vehicle. -Keep you from being thrown against parts of your vehicle, such as the steering wheel or windshield.

In the handbook:
Safety Belts

Next Question

4. __________ means passing or crossing is prohibited in that lane, except when turning left.

Check Answer

Incorrect, the correct answer is C: A solid yellow line to the right of a broken yellow center line

Correct! You answered C: A solid yellow line to the right of a broken yellow center line

Explanation:
A solid yellow line to the right of a broken yellow center line means passing or crossing is prohibited in that lane, except when turning left. If the broken line is closer to you, you can cross the broken line only to pass another vehicle and only when it is safe to do so.

In the handbook:
Pavement Markings

Next Question

5. Over __________ percent of the injuries in car crashes could be prevented by using crash-tested child restraints.

Check Answer

Incorrect, the correct answer is B: 80

Correct! You answered B: 80

Explanation:
The number one killer of young children in the United States is traffic crashes in which children were not restrained at all. Over 90 percent of the deaths and 80 percent of the injuries in car crashes could be prevented by using crash-tested child restraints. Children should be secured in the rear seat. Never secure a child in the front passenger side, especially if your vehicle has an air bag. All infant carriers and car seats must be crash-tested and approved by the U.S. Government. Children being carried or riding bicycles should wear properly fitted bicycle helmets.

In the handbook:
Protecting Children

See Results
  • Correct: 0
  • Incorrect: 0
  • Questions to go: 5

End of sample test. Final Score: 0%

We're sorry that you failed, but it's not uncommon. In fact, almost 50% of all people fail the Official DMV test their first time.

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Congratulations, you passed. But this was only 5 questions. It's not uncommon for people who pass this practice test to fail the DMV exam. In fact, almost 50% of all people fail the Official DMV test their first time.

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