20 questions from the Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Under what condition may a vehicle have more than one spotlight?
Answer: Only one spotlight is allowed on a vehicle. The handbook clearly limits vehicles to having only one spotlight.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 100: “Only one spotlight is allowed on a vehicle.”
2. Where are low-speed electric and gas bicycles prohibited from being driven?
Answer: Sidewalks. The handbook specifies that these bicycles are restricted to streets and are forbidden from using sidewalks.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 49: “Low-speed electric and gas bicycles may only be driven on streets and may not exceed 20 mph. They may not be driven on sidewalks.”
3. When using hand and arm signals to indicate that you intend to slow down or stop, how should your left arm be positioned?
Answer: Extended down. The handbook states that extending the hand and arm down is the signal for slowing down or stopping.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 36: “To slow down or stop, the hand and arm are extended down.”
4. When passing a bicyclist on any road, including a bicyclist on the road shoulder or in a dedicated bicycle lane, what is the minimum distance you must keep between your vehicle and the bicyclist?
Answer: 3 feet. The handbook states that a minimum distance of 3 feet is required when passing bicyclists.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 34: “When passing a bicyclist on any road, including a bicyclist on the road shoulder or in a dedicated bicycle lane, keep a minimum distance of 3 feet from the bicyclist.”
5. If you are involved in a traffic crash, what is the first action you should take regarding your vehicle?
Answer: Stop your vehicle in a safe, well-lit public place that does not obstruct traffic, if able to do so. The handbook instructs drivers to stop in a safe, well-lit location that does not obstruct traffic as the primary step after a crash.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 60: “Stop your vehicle in a safe, well-lit public place that does not obstruct traffic, if able to do so.”
6. How does doubling your speed affect your vehicle's stopping distance?
Answer: It quadruples the stopping distance. The handbook states that increasing speed by double results in a fourfold increase in stopping distance.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 91: “Doubling your speed quadruples your vehicle’s stopping distance.”
7. What is the recommended braking technique on icy or snowy roads?
Answer: Apply brakes gently in slow, steady strokes. The handbook advises using gentle, steady brake applications to manage traction on slippery surfaces.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 92: “Gently apply brakes in slow, steady strokes. This helps you determine how much vehicle traction is available.”
8. How should a driver open their vehicle door to safely check for bicyclists?
Answer: Using the right hand to force the upper body to turn and look behind. Using the right hand forces the driver's body to turn, providing a better view of oncoming cyclists.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 49: “Drivers should consider reaching with their USE YOUR RIGHT HAND, right hand to open the vehicle door as this gives them LOOK FOR BIKES a better opportunity to check their surroundings for Using your right hand to open oncoming vehicles and bicyclists.”
9. What is the legal requirement for slow vehicles regarding lane usage?
Answer: They must use the right-hand lane except when passing or turning left. The handbook mandates that slow vehicles stay in the right-hand lane unless they are actively passing another vehicle or making a left turn.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 35: “Slow vehicles must use the right-hand lane except when passing or turning left.”
10. What is the minimum age for medical and recreational cannabis use in Illinois?
Answer: 21 years old. The handbook states that cannabis use is allowed for persons aged 21 and older.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 54: “Illinois law allows for the medical and recreational use of cannabis for persons ages 21 and older.”
11. What is the minimum suspension period for a driver under age 21 convicted of two or more moving violations within a 24-month period?
Answer: 30 days. The handbook specifies that the suspension lasts for a minimum of 30 days following multiple moving violations within the specified timeframe.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 26: “A driver under age 21 who is convicted of two or more moving violations within a 24-month period will have their driver’s license suspended for a minimum of 30 days.”
12. If your vehicle becomes stranded on a high-capacity roadway, where should you pull over if possible?
Answer: To the right shoulder or a safe location as far as possible to avoid passing traffic. The guidelines for stranded motorists on high-capacity roads specify pulling to the right shoulder or safe location to avoid traffic.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 97: “If possible, pull over to the right shoulder or a safe location as far as possible to avoid passing traffic.”
13. How far must a red light on a projecting load be visible at night or when visibility is poor?
Answer: 500 feet. The handbook specifies that the red light for projecting loads must be visible for a distance of 500 feet under low visibility conditions.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 100: “At night or when visibility is poor, the vehicle must have a red light visible for 500 feet.”
14. If you are being tailgated by another vehicle, what action does the handbook recommend?
Answer: Move to another lane or slowly pull off the road to allow the vehicle to pass. The handbook advises moving over or pulling off slowly to let the tailgater pass.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 90: “If you are being tailgated, move to another lane or slowly pull off the road and allow the vehicle to pass.”
15. What is the required distance for giving a continuous turn signal when turning in a business or residential district?
Answer: Not less than 75 feet before turning. The handbook states that the signal must be given for not less than 75 feet in these districts.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 43: “Not less than 75 feet before turning.”
16. How far in advance does a school bus give a warning before stopping in rural areas?
Answer: 200 feet. The handbook specifies that the warning distance is increased to 200 feet specifically for rural areas.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 39: “A warning will be given by the school bus at least 100 feet (200 feet in rural areas) in advance of a stop.”
17. Under what condition may a parent or legal guardian cancel the driver's license of a minor aged 16-17?
Answer: At any time, for any reason, until the driver turns 18. The handbook states that the parent or guardian has the authority to cancel the license at any time and for any reason before the driver reaches age 18.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 25: “The parent/legal guardian who gave initial consent may cancel the minor’s license at any time, for any reason, until the driver turns 18 by contacting the Secretary of State’s office.”
18. How many hours of behind-the-wheel training are required in an approved driver education course for drivers under age 21?
Answer: Six hours. The handbook specifies that approved courses must include at least six hours of behind-the-wheel training.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 22: “Approved driver education courses include at least 30 hours of classroom study and six hours of behind-the-wheel training in a regular passenger vehicle.”
19. What additional requirement applies to a first-time Illinois driver's license applicant who is age 18, 19, or 20 and has never completed an approved driver education program?
Answer: They must complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course through a certified provider. The handbook mandates a specific six-hour adult education course for first-time applicants in this age bracket who lack prior approved education.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 11: “If you are a first-time Illinois driver’s license applicant, are age 18, 19, or 20, and have never been licensed or completed an approved high school or commercial school driver education program, you must successfully complete a six-hour Adult Driver Education Course through a Secretary of State certified adult driver education provider before obtaining a license.”
20. When approaching another vehicle, how far ahead must a spotlight be directed?
Answer: No more than 100 feet ahead. The handbook specifies that spotlights must be directed no more than 100 feet ahead when meeting another vehicle.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 100: “When approaching another vehicle, it must be directed neither to the left nor more than 100 feet ahead.”