How to study Illinois Rules of the Road

Study sign shape, color and symbol

The written exam explicitly requires identifying traffic signs and understanding signals and pavement markings.

Study traffic laws and safety rules

Review right-of-way, speed, lane use, passing, stopping, parking, school buses, emergency vehicles and impaired-driving law.

Know vehicle-equipment and crash-prevention topics

The basic exam can cover required vehicle equipment and decisions that reduce crash risk.

Teen applicants: learn GDL rules too

Know the 9-month permit phase, 50/10 practice, curfew, passenger limits and under-19 device restrictions.

Study Illinois's permit and Initial Licensing phases separately

• Teen permit starts at 15 with approved driver education.
• Class D written test: at least 35 questions, 80% required.
• Under 18: nine months + 50/10 practice + clean permit phase.
• Ages 18–20 may have a separate six-hour Adult Driver Education requirement.

Use the handbook as the source of truth

Illinois's 2026 Rules of the Road covers vision screening, the knowledge exam, the driving test and rules for new motorists. Class D knowledge questions range from sign recognition to safer choices, avoiding collisions, equipment and traffic law.

Keep the current Secretary of State PDF bookmarked. Procedures, fees and licensing rules can change even when older practice pages remain online.

What to study first

• Traffic signs by shape, color and symbol.
• Traffic signals and pavement markings.
• Right-of-way, turns, lane use, passing and parking.
• Speed, following distance and crash-prevention rules.
• Alcohol, distracted driving, safety belts and sharing the road.

Use the official review workbook

Illinois also publishes a Rules of the Road Review Course Workbook. It summarizes the exam structure and includes review material, making it a useful second pass after the handbook.

• Illinois written-test format
• Illinois road-sign study guide