20 questions from the Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When approaching a railroad crossing that has no warning signals, such as electric flashing lights or gates, what action should a driver take?
Answer: Look, listen and slow down. The handbook instructs drivers to look, listen, and slow down when approaching a railroad crossing without active warning signals.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 45: “When approaching a railroad crossing that has no warning signals (such as electric flashing lights or gates), a driver should look, listen and slow down.”
2. What does a five-sided yellow or yellow-green sign with black symbols indicate?
Answer: Either SCHOOL ZONE or SCHOOL CROSSING. The handbook defines the specific shape and color combination of the five-sided sign as indicating a school zone or school crossing.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 71: “This five-sided sign is yellow or yellow-green with black symbols. It means either SCHOOL ZONE or SCHOOL CROSSING.”
3. On which type of street is a low-speed vehicle permitted to operate?
Answer: Any street with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less. The rule specifies that these vehicles are restricted to streets with speed limits of 30 mph or lower, excluding higher-speed highways.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 52: “Low-speed vehicles may operate on any street with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less unless prohibited by the local municipality.”
4. How long does a DUI conviction remain on a driver's record in Illinois?
Answer: Permanently. The handbook clearly indicates that a DUI conviction stays permanently on the driving record.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 55: “If you are convicted of DUI, the offense will permanently remain on your driving record.”
5. When exiting an alley or driveway in an urban area, when must you come to a complete stop?
Answer: Before entering the sidewalk area. The rule requires a complete stop before entering the sidewalk area to properly yield to pedestrians and traffic.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 40: “In urban areas, you must come to a complete stop when moving out of an alley, building, private road, or driveway and before entering the sidewalk area.”
6. If you are suspected of drunk driving, what is the consequence of refusing to submit to breath, urine, blood, or performance tests?
Answer: Loss of driving privileges. The handbook states that refusing these specific tests when suspected of drunk driving leads to the loss of driving privileges.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 27: “If you are suspected of drunk driving, refusal to submit to breath, urine, blood, or performance tests can result in the loss of driving privileges.”
7. What is the minimum duration an instruction permit must be held before obtaining a driver's license for applicants aged 15-17?
Answer: Nine consecutive months. Applicants aged 15-17 are required to hold the instruction permit for a minimum of nine consecutive months.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 22: “The instruction permit is valid for 24 months and must be held for at least nine consecutive months before obtaining a driver’s license if you are age 15-17.”
8. According to Illinois law effective January 1, 2019, until what age must children be properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system?
Answer: Age 2. The handbook states that the requirement for rear-facing restraints lasts until age 2, with specific exceptions for weight and height.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 30: “Effective Jan. 1, 2019, Illinois law requires children to be properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system until age 2 unless they weigh more than 40 pounds or are more than 40 inches tall.”
9. Under what specific condition may a driver turn left at a red light?
Answer: When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street that has traffic moving to the left. The handbook specifies that left turns on red are permitted only when moving from one one-way street to another one-way street with traffic moving left.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 84: “You also may turn left at a red light when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street that has traffic moving to the left.”
10. What do white stop lines on each side of the track indicate at a railroad crossing?
Answer: Where to stop when a train is approaching. The handbook specifies that these white lines designate the stopping point for motorists when a train is approaching.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 88: “White stop lines on each side of the track show motorists where to stop when a train is approaching.”
11. How should the lap portion of a safety belt be positioned on a passenger?
Answer: Across the hip bones. The handbook instructs that the lap belt must cross the hip bones, not the soft abdomen area.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 29: “The lap belt should be worn across the hip bones and should never be positioned across the stomach or soft part of the abdomen.”
12. Which lane is designated for passing and turning according to the lane usage rules?
Answer: The left lane. The handbook clearly assigns the function of passing and turning to the left lane, while slower traffic belongs in the right lane.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 53: “The left lane is for passing and turning.”
13. Under what condition may a parent or legal guardian face criminal penalties regarding alcohol consumption by persons under age 21?
Answer: If a death or personal injury occurs as a result of consumption. The handbook indicates that criminal penalties for the guardian are triggered specifically when consumption leads to death or personal injury.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 57: “If a death or personal injury occurs as a result of consumption, the parent or legal guardian may face criminal penalties.”
14. Which of the following is prohibited when parking a vehicle between sunset and sunrise?
Answer: Parking without displaying front and rear parking lights. The rule requires parking lights to be displayed between sunset and sunrise unless the vehicle is in an urban district, making it prohibited to park without them outside those conditions.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 42: “On a highway between sunset and sunrise unless the front and rear parking lights are displayed or the vehicle is within an urban district where lights are not required.”
15. Under which specific circumstance will the Secretary of State immediately revoke a driver's license according to the handbook?
Answer: When the driver is convicted of a moving violation that caused a crash resulting in death. The handbook identifies a moving violation causing death as the specific condition for immediate revocation.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 64: “The Secretary of State will immediately revoke the driving privileges of anyone who is convicted of a moving violation that caused a crash and resulted in the death of another person.”
16. What color light must running board lights emit?
Answer: White or amber. Running board lights are required to be non-glare and either white or amber in color.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 100: “Running board lights — Limited to one on each side and must be non-glare white or amber lights.”
17. What is the correct procedure if you miss your exit while driving on an expressway?
Answer: Go to the next available exit. The handbook instructs drivers to proceed to the next exit and notes that backing up is illegal.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 93: “If you miss an exit, go to the next available exit. Backing up on an expressway is against the law.”
18. What does the second sign posted just before a divided highway ends indicate?
Answer: That the divided highway is ending. The handbook specifies that this particular sign warns drivers that the divided highway section is about to conclude.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 79: “The second sign is posted just before the divided highway ends.”
19. Under what condition may a driver cross a solid yellow line on their side of the center line?
Answer: To turn left into or from an alley, private road, or driveway. The handbook lists specific exceptions for crossing solid yellow lines, including turning left into or from an alley, private road, or driveway.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 86: “You may cross it to turn left into or from an alley, private road, or driveway.”
20. What is the recommended seating position for children ages 12 and younger?
Answer: Properly secured in the back seat. The handbook recommends that children aged 12 and under be secured in the back seat to avoid injury from air bags.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 29: “It is recommended that children ages 12 and younger be properly secured in the back seat.”