Free Illinois Permit Practice Tests 2025

You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a permit in Illinois. This applies to all first time permit applicants regardless of prior driving experience.

To apply for a permit in Illinois you must bring:

• Proof of identity (original birth certificate or valid U.S. passport)
• Proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2 form, or pay stub)
• Two documents proving Illinois residency (bank statement, utility bill, etc.)
• Payment for the application fee

If you’re applying for a REAL ID compliant license additional documentation may be required. Check the Illinois Secretary of State website for current accepted documents.

Yes. If you’re under 18 a parent or legal guardian must:

• Be with you at the Secretary of State facility
• Sign your permit application
• Accept financial responsibility for you
• If your parents have joint custody only one parent needs to sign the application

The application process in Illinois is as follows:

1. Complete a Driver’s License/ID Card Application
2. Bring the required documents
3. Pay the application fee
4. Pass a vision screening
5. Pass the written knowledge test

If you’re under 18 you must also:

• Have a parent or guardian sign your application
• Be enrolled in an approved driver education course or have completed the classroom portion
• Receive a Certificate of Completion from your driver education provider

No, Illinois does not allow you to apply for an instruction permit online. You must visit a Secretary of State facility in person to complete the application, submit your documents, take your vision test and complete your written knowledge test.

The Illinois Secretary of State charges $20 for an instruction permit. This fee covers the cost of processing your application, the written test and issuing your permit. Check the Illinois Secretary of State website for current fee information.

To get your permit in Illinois you must pass:

• A vision screening to verify you meet minimum vision standards (20/40 with both eyes)
• A written knowledge test covering traffic laws, road signs and safe driving practices

The Illinois permit written test has 35 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 28 questions correctly (80%) to pass the exam.

The Illinois permit test covers:

• Traffic laws and regulations
• Road signs and signals
• Right-of-way rules
• Safe driving practices
• Consequences of violating traffic laws
• Effects of alcohol and drugs on driving
• Vehicle equipment and maintenance requirements

The best ways to prepare for your Illinois permit test:

• Study the Illinois Rules of the Road handbook thoroughly, available on our website at Illinois Driver’s Manual
• Take our free practice tests that simulate the actual permit test
• Review the test materials multiple times to ensure you understand the key concepts
• Consider enrolling in a driver education course
• Pay special attention to road signs, signals and right-of-way rules

If you fail the Illinois permit test:

• You must wait one day before retesting
• You can retest as many times as needed until you pass
• Each retest requires you to pay the testing fee again
• We recommend studying the Illinois Rules of the Road handbook thoroughly before retesting

With an Illinois instruction permit you can:

• Practice driving when accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years or older and has at least one year of driving experience
• Gain necessary experience to prepare for your behind-the-wheel driving test
• Drive during permitted hours to develop your driving skills
• Complete your required supervised driving practice hours

When driving with a permit in Illinois you:

• Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years or older with at least one year of driving experience
• Cannot use any electronic communication devices while driving, even in hands-free mode
• Must ensure all occupants wear seat belts
• Cannot drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, or between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday (if under 18)
• Cannot have more than one passenger under age 20 who is not a sibling, step-sibling, child, or step-child (during the first 12 months of licensing or until age 18, whichever occurs first)

In Illinois, the requirements depend on your age:
If you are under 18:

• You must hold your instruction permit for at least 9 months before applying for a driver’s license
• You must complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours of night driving
• You must complete an approved driver education course that includes both classroom and behind-the-wheel training

If you are 18-20 years old:

• If you didn’t take driver education, you must hold your permit for at least 9 months before applying for a license
• If you did take driver education, there is no minimum holding period

If you are 21 or older:

• There is no minimum holding period for your instruction permit
• Practice enough to develop safe driving skills before taking your road test

Illinois requires different driver education based on your age:
If you are under 18:

• Yes, you must be enrolled in or have completed the classroom portion of a driver education course before getting an instruction permit
• The course must be approved by the Illinois State Board of Education or the Secretary of State

If you are 18-20 years old:

• Driver education is not required but recommended
• If you don’t complete a driver education course, you must hold your permit for 9 months before getting a license

If you are 21 or older:

• No, driver education is not required, although it’s still recommended to help you become a safer driver

In Illinois, before you get your driver’s license, the requirements depend on your age:
If you are under 18:

• A state-approved driver education course that includes 30 hours of classroom instruction
• 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor
• 50 hours of supervised driving practice with a licensed adult 21 or older (including 10 hours at night)

If you are 18-20 years old:

• If you choose not to take driver education, you must practice with your permit for 9 months
• If you complete a driver education course, there is no minimum permit holding period

If you are 21 or older:

• No formal driver education is required, though it’s still beneficial

You can find Illinois-approved driver education programs by:

• Checking your high school’s driver education department
• Contacting your local school district
• Visiting the Illinois Secretary of State website for a list of certified commercial driving schools
• Looking for instructors who are certified by the Illinois State Board of Education or the Secretary of State’s office

The Illinois behind-the-wheel test will evaluate:

• If you can safely operate the vehicle
• If you follow traffic laws and signs
• Basic maneuvers like turns, lane changes, and parking
• Awareness of other road users
• Good decision making in various traffic situations

Before the test begins, the examiner will ask you to locate and demonstrate various vehicle controls and safety features including:

• Turn signals
• Brake lights
• Emergency brake
• Horn
• Headlights
• Windshield wipers
• Defroster
• Seat belts

The test will include residential and business driving, three-point turns, backing, parking and may include interstate driving.

You can schedule your test by:

• Visiting a Secretary of State Driver Services facility that offers road tests
• Calling your local facility to see if they take appointments
• Some facilities offer road tests on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early
• Most facilities stop scheduling road tests 2 hours before closing

On the day of your test, bring:

• Your valid instruction permit
• A properly registered and insured vehicle for the test
• Proof of insurance for the test vehicle
• If you’re under 18, your 50-hour practice driving log signed by your parent or guardian
• Proof of completion of driver education

Most common reasons for failure:

• Not checking blind spots before changing lanes
• Rolling through stop signs instead of coming to a complete stop
• Driving too fast or too slow for conditions
• Improper lane positioning or lane changes
• Not yielding to pedestrians or other vehicles
• Lack of steering control
• Poor awareness of surroundings
• Can’t parallel park or perform three-point turns

To convert your learner’s permit to a driver’s license in Illinois:
If you are under 18:

• Hold your permit for at least 9 months
• Complete driver education
• Complete 50 hours of supervised practice (10 hours at night)
• Have your parent/guardian sign off on practice hours
• Pass the behind-the-wheel test
• Pay the required fees

If you are 18-20 without driver education:

• Hold your permit for at least 9 months
• Practice with your permit
• Pass the behind-the-wheel test
• Pay the required fees

If you are 18 or older with driver education or 21 and older:

• Practice with your permit
• Pass the behind-the-wheel test
• Pay the required fees

Illinois’s graduated licensing program has these stages:

• Instruction Permit: Must be at least 15 years old, enrolled in driver education, and practice with a licensed adult aged 21 or older.
• Initial License (under 18): Must be at least 16 years old, held permit for at least 9 months, completed driver education and 50 hours of practice driving, and passed the behind-the-wheel test.
• Full License: Initial license restrictions end at age 18.
• Adults 18 and older can either go through a shortened graduated licensing process (if 18-20 without driver education) or go directly from permit to full license after passing the behind-the-wheel test.

As a new driver under 18 in Illinois, your initial license will have these restrictions:

• No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday
• No driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday
• For the first 12 months or until you turn 18, you may not have more than one passenger under 20 who is not an immediate family member
• Zero tolerance for alcohol or drugs
• Cell phone use, including hands-free, is prohibited except in emergencies

These restrictions apply until you turn 18.
There are exceptions to the nighttime driving restrictions if you need to drive for:

• Employment or school-related activities
• Religious activities
• Family emergencies
• Activities with a parent or guardian present

Illinois does not recognize out-of-state permits. If you are moving to Illinois with an out-of-state permit:

• You will need to apply for an Illinois permit
• If you’re under 18, you must either complete an Illinois-approved driver education course or provide proof of completion from your previous state
• Any time spent holding your out-of-state permit may count toward Illinois’s 9-month holding requirement if documented properly

Illinois offers the following accommodations for applicants with disabilities:

• Audio versions of the Rules of the Road handbook
• Oral knowledge tests
• Sign language interpreters (with advance notice)
• Extended testing time
• The ability to use special equipment in your own vehicle for the driving test
• Medical deferral of certain driving requirements with physician certification
• Contact your local Secretary of State facility before your appointment to request accommodations

Yes, Illinois issues driver’s licenses and permits for all residents regardless of immigration status through the Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL) program. Non-U.S. citizens can get a permit or license by providing:

• Proof of identity (foreign passport or consular card)
• Proof of Illinois residency for at least one year
• Proof of signature
• Proof of ineligibility for a Social Security number
• Visit the Illinois Secretary of State website for more information on documentation requirements for non-citizens

You can download a copy of the Illinois Rules of the Road handbook here. Physical copies are also available at any Secretary of State facility.

Yes! We offer free Illinois-specific practice tests that mimic the actual permit test. Our practice tests are designed to help you study the material and get comfortable with the test format before your actual exam.

For more information about the Illinois permit process:

• Visit the Illinois Secretary of State website at ilsos.gov
• Call the Secretary of State at 1-800-252-8980 during business hours
• Visit your local Secretary of State facility
• For hearing impaired assistance, call 1-800-252-2904 (TTY)

If you lose your Illinois permit:

• You will need to visit a Secretary of State facility
• You will need to provide proper identification
• You will need to pay a replacement fee (currently $5-$10)
• You may need to retake the written test if your permit has been expired

A parent or guardian who signed the application for a minor can cancel their teen’s permit or license by:

• Submitting a written request to the Secretary of State’s office
• Appearing in person at any Secretary of State facility
• Completing a Parent/Guardian Consent Withdrawal form

Once canceled, the minor cannot apply for another permit or license without new parental consent until they turn 18.