Rules of the Road

CHAPTER 2: DRIVER’S LICENSE EXAMS

When applying for a driver’s license, you will be asked questions about your general health and take vision, written and driving exams. You are allowed three attempts to pass each of these exams within one year from the date you paid your application fee. Taking any part of the driver’s license exam for another person is a criminal offense punishable by a fine and a mandatory seven days in jail, with possible additional jail time. The information for the written exam is provided in this manual.

Bribery  |   Organ/Tissue Donor Registry  |   Voter Registration  |   Selective Service  |   Vision Screening  |  
Written Exam  |   Cheaters Rule  |   Driving Exam

Bribery

The Secretary of State may deny for a period of 120 consecutive days the issuance of a driver’s license and/or instruction permit to any person who, with intent to influence any act related to the issuance of any driver’s license or instruction permit, attempts to bribe or otherwise influence an employee of the Secretary of State’s office, the owner of any commercial driver training school licensed by the Secretary of State, or any other individual authorized to give driving instructions or administer any part of a driver’s license examination.

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Organ/Tissue Donor Central Registry

Persons age 18 and over may join the new Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, which makes a person’s wishes to be an organ/tissue donor legally binding. Additional witnesses or family consent is no longer required for donation to occur. If you have not registered since Jan. 1, 2006, you must re-register. To join the new registry, please visit www.LifeGoesOn.com or call 800-210-2106.

In Illinois, persons under age 18 cannot legally enter into a contract; therefore, family consent is still required before donation can occur. Because those under age 18 are not eligible to join the registry, they should discuss their wishes to be an organ/tissue donor with their family. When a person turns 18, he or she may join the registry.

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Voter Registration

Facility personnel ask all applicants if they wish to apply to register to vote under the National Voter Registration Act. An application will be generated for the applicant to complete, and the office will forward the completed application to the appropriate local election authority for processing. Qualified applicants who apply for renewal through the Safe Driver Renewal program may request a Motor Voter information packet be sent to them to complete and mail to their local election authority. The local election authority will process the applications and mail voter registration cards to applicants. Contact your local election authority if your card is not received within 30 days. If you register within 30 days of a primary election you will not be eligible to vote in that election.

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Selective Service

Males ages 18 to 25: Your signature on the driver’s license or state ID application certifies that you have already registered with the Selective Services System or, if required by law, authorizes the Secretary of State to submit your registration information to the Selective Services System for purposes of registration.

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Vision Screening

Your vision will be screened to determine if you see well enough to drive. This screening is not a professional eye exam. In place of this screening, you may submit a Vision Specialist Report completed by a licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist or physician. Forms for this report are available at your local Driver Services facility or you can download the form. If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses, a restriction will be noted on your license. You must always wear your glasses or contact lenses when you drive. For more information, contact your local Driver Services facility.

Following is information about vision restrictions:

• The minimum requirement for visual acuity is 20/40 acuity with or without corrective lenses. Drivers with acuity between 20/41 and 20/70 are limited to daylight driving only.
• You must have at least 140 degree peripheral vision (the ability to see to the side) to have a license without restrictions. This is with or without corrective lenses.
• If you wear telescopic lenses, you must meet special requirements and undergo additional testing to receive your license.

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Written Exam

The questions for the basic written exam, which will allow you to operate passenger vehicles, are taken from the information provided in this manual. There will be additional questions for other classifications. The exam requires you to:

• Identify traffic signs by shape, color or symbol. (Chapter 9)
• Identify signals and pavement markings.(Chapter 10)
• Answer multiple choice and true/false questions about traffic laws, safety rules, accident
  prevention and vehicle equipment.(Chapters 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12)

The study questions at the end of each chapter are similar to questions on the written exam. Studying these questions will help you prepare for the exam. If you apply for a license to drive a motorcycle, truck or bus, you may obtain an operator’s manual from any Driver Services facility or in the publications section of this web site. Study the manual before taking the exam. Written and driving exam vary for different classifications of driver’s licenses.

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Cheater's Rule

During the written exam, any applicant observed in a situation that could be considered suspicious (e.g., an open book within his/her field of vision, looking around or checking a cell phone, etc.) but no cheating is observed, will be warned. Once warned, any applicant found cheating on any portion of the written exam will be failed for that portion of the exam and prohibited from retaking the written exam for 30 days.

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Driving Exam

The driving exam allows you to demonstrate your ability to drive. You must provide a vehicle that is licensed, properly equipped for the driver’s license classification you are seeking and complies with the Secretary of State’s vehicle condition standards. If the vehicle is registered in Illinois, it must display valid license plates as required by Illinois law. If the vehicle is registered outside of Illinois, it must meet the registration requirements of the respective state. The vehicle, unless exempt, must comply with the Illinois Mandatory Insurance Law. You will be required to show proof of vehicle insurance at the Driver Services facility. You will automatically fail the exam if you violate any traffic law or commit any dangerous action while taking the exam. You and the examiner are required to wear safety belts during the driving exam, as required by law.

The vehicle must be driven to the facility by a driver who has a valid driver’s license or permit. No one but the examiner will be with you during the exam. If you bring children or pets with you, please bring someone along to take care of them.

During the basic driving exam, which will allow you to drive passenger vehicles, you will be graded on your ability to do the following:

• Start the vehicle – Check your vehicle controls, such as parking brake and mirrors. All the required equipment listed in Chapter 12 must be working properly. Make all adjustments to seats, safety belts, mirrors and other equipment before you move your vehicle.
• Back the vehicle – You will back the vehicle about 50 feet at a slow speed, straight and smoothly. Turn your head to the right and watch to the rear as you back.
• Turn about – You will turn around by using an alley on the left side of the street. Turn your left signal on before turning into the alley. Back the car out of the alley and stay on your side of the street.
• Park uphill – Turn on the signal for the side of the road on which you are going to park. Stop your vehicle parallel to the side of the road.
  
  If there is a curb against which you can wedge your front wheel, turn the front wheels sharply away from the curb. Your vehicle will roll against the curb. Set the parking brake or put the gear selector in “Park.”
  
  If there is no curb or a low curb, turn your wheels toward the side of the road on which you are parked. Set your parking brake or put the gear selector in “Park.” If your vehicle rolls, it should not roll into traffic.
• Start uphill – Release the parking brake, give the correct signal and look back. When it is safe, pull slowly out onto the street.
• Park downhill – Signal to the side of the road where you wish to park. Stop the vehicle parallel to the road. Whether there is a curb or not, always turn the wheels toward the side of the road where you are parked. When there is a curb, let your vehicle roll against the curb. Set the parking brake or place the gear selector in "Park". If your vehicle rolls, it should not roll into traffic.
• Start downhill – Release your parking brake and relieve pressure on your tires by backing a little. Turn your wheels from the side of the road and use your turn signal. Look for oncoming traffic. When it is safe, pull slowly onto the street.
• Control your vehicle – You must obey all signs, controls and rights-of-way. Care must be taken to observe lane markings and give turn signals correctly.

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This edition of the Illinois Rules of the Road is as accurate as possible at the time of publication. The manual gives drivers information on obtaining a driver’s license, driver’s license laws, traffic safety issues and general information regarding Illinois traffic laws and ordinances. The language of the Illinois Compiled Statutes is condensed and paraphrased and does not cover every law or explain every possible situation that motorists may face while operating a motor vehicle. The manual also provides highway safety information not in the law. It is intended as a tool for drivers and should not be cited as a legal authority in court.