How many questions are on the Illinois permit test?

The Illinois written permit test has 35 questions: 20 on traffic laws and regulations, and 15 on traffic sign identification by shape, color, and symbol.

What's the passing score for the Illinois written test?

You must answer at least 28 questions correctly (80%) to pass the Illinois permit test.

How much does the Illinois written knowledge test cost?

The Illinois permit test costs $20. Additional reexamination fees apply if you retake the test after failing within 90 days.

How old do I have to be to take the Illinois permit test?

You must be at least 15 years old to apply for and take the learner's permit test in Illinois. At 17 years 3 months, you can apply for a permit without completing driver education.

Can I take the Illinois DMV test in Spanish or other languages?

Yes, Illinois offers the written permit test in multiple languages including Spanish, Polish, Korean, Chinese, and Arabic. Request your preferred language when scheduling your appointment with the Secretary of State.

How many times can I retake the Illinois written test?

You can retake the test up to three times total within one year from the date you paid your application fee. If you fail three times, you must reapply and pay the fee again. There is typically a one-day waiting period between attempts.

Is the Illinois permit test online or in person?

Illinois's permit test is administered in person at Driver Services facilities throughout the state. You must schedule an appointment online at www.ilsos.gov to take your test.

What documents do I need to bring to the Illinois DMV?

Bring valid identification (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof of Social Security number, proof of Illinois residency (utility bill or lease agreement), and your completed application to your scheduled test appointment.

Illinois DMV Practice Test

Illinois administers a straightforward 35-question written permit test through the Secretary of State's Drivers Services Department, with testing available in person at driver services facilities across the state. The test divides equally between traffic law questions and road sign identification, reflecting the state's balanced approach to driver education. Illinois offers the permit test in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Polish, Korean, Chinese, and Arabic, making it accessible to the state's diverse population. The Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding regions have numerous testing locations, while smaller towns may require trips to regional facilities.

Available Illinois practice tests

What's on the Illinois written test

Illinois's permit test emphasizes practical traffic law knowledge and sign recognition equally. Expect questions on right-of-way rules, safe following distances, speed limits, parking regulations, and proper use of turn signals. The test covers proper responses to traffic control devices, lane positioning, and navigating intersections safely. You'll encounter questions about driving under the influence and the consequences of impaired driving. The sign identification section tests your ability to recognize warning signs, regulatory signs, and information signs by their shape and color—red octagon for stop, yellow diamond for warning, and white rectangle for regulatory signs. Chicago and major urban area questions might focus on managing heavy traffic and lane discipline, while rural questions emphasize open road safety and highway merging.

Car / standard license

Illinois's written permit test consists of 35 questions split into two sections: 20 on traffic laws and regulations (multiple-choice and true/false format) and 15 on traffic sign identification based on shape, color, and symbol. You must answer at least 28 questions correctly (80%) to pass. The test costs $20 and is administered in person at Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facilities. You must be at least 15 years old to test. If you fail within 90 days, you can retake the test up to two more times, though there is typically a one-day waiting period and a reexamination fee for each retake.

Motorcycle endorsement

Illinois's motorcycle endorsement test consists of 15 questions, and you need to answer at least 12 correctly (80%) to pass. The motorcycle license fee is $10. If you're under 18 and don't have a motorcycle rider course certificate, you must pass this knowledge test to qualify for the Class L endorsement.

Commercial driver license (CDL)

Illinois's CDL permit test covers three main sections: General Knowledge (approximately 50 questions), Air Brakes (approximately 25 questions), and Combination Vehicles (approximately 25 questions). You must score at least 80% on each section to pass. The CDL issuance fee is $60 total, with additional endorsement fees depending on what type of commercial driving you'll perform.

Study tips for the Illinois written test

Download the free Illinois Rules of the Road handbook from www.ilsos.gov, available in English and Spanish, and study it thoroughly for the traffic law section.
Dedicate specific study time to road sign recognition—memorize sign shapes, colors, and their meanings, as this comprises half of your 35 questions.
Take free practice tests online that match the official format, especially ones that separate traffic laws from sign identification questions.
Visit the official Illinois SOS website to make an appointment for your test; walk-ins may not be accommodated at all facilities.
If you speak Spanish, Polish, Korean, Chinese, or Arabic, request testing in your preferred language when scheduling your appointment.
Remember that you have up to three attempts within 90 days; if you fail, study your weak areas carefully before your next try.
Study Chicago-specific driving scenarios if you live in or near the metropolitan area, as questions may reference major highways and urban traffic patterns.

More Illinois resources

Official agency: Illinois Secretary of State, Drivers Services Department.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Illinois permit test?: The Illinois written permit test has 35 questions: 20 on traffic laws and regulations, and 15 on traffic sign identification by shape, color, and symbol.
What's the passing score for the Illinois written test?: You must answer at least 28 questions correctly (80%) to pass the Illinois permit test.
How much does the Illinois written knowledge test cost?: The Illinois permit test costs $20. Additional reexamination fees apply if you retake the test after failing within 90 days.
How old do I have to be to take the Illinois permit test?: You must be at least 15 years old to apply for and take the learner's permit test in Illinois. At 17 years 3 months, you can apply for a permit without completing driver education.
Can I take the Illinois DMV test in Spanish or other languages?: Yes, Illinois offers the written permit test in multiple languages including Spanish, Polish, Korean, Chinese, and Arabic. Request your preferred language when scheduling your appointment with the Secretary of State.
How many times can I retake the Illinois written test?: You can retake the test up to three times total within one year from the date you paid your application fee. If you fail three times, you must reapply and pay the fee again. There is typically a one-day waiting period between attempts.
Is the Illinois permit test online or in person?: Illinois's permit test is administered in person at Driver Services facilities throughout the state. You must schedule an appointment online at www.ilsos.gov to take your test.
What documents do I need to bring to the Illinois DMV?: Bring valid identification (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof of Social Security number, proof of Illinois residency (utility bill or lease agreement), and your completed application to your scheduled test appointment.