20 questions from the Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When is a vehicle permitted to stop or park on a paved roadway or highway outside business or residential districts?
Answer: Only when it is an emergency and there is a clear view of 200 feet in each direction. The handbook specifies that stopping outside business or residential districts is allowed only in emergencies and requires a specific visibility distance of 200 feet.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 42: “In an emergency, drivers may stop their vehicle and park only if there is a clear view of 200 feet in each direction.”
2. Under what condition is a driver's license suspended due to Automated Traffic Violations?
Answer: Failure to pay five or more unpaid automated traffic violations for violating a red-light signal or speeding or a combination thereof in a municipality. The handbook specifies that suspension occurs after failing to pay five or more unpaid automated violations for red-light or speeding offenses in a municipality.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 65: “Automated Traffic Violations — Failure to pay five or more unpaid automated traffic violations for violating a red-light signal or speeding or a combination thereof in a municipality.”
3. What is the maximum speed limit for low-speed electric or gas bicycles?
Answer: 20 mph. The handbook clearly states that these bicycles must not exceed 20 mph.
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.”
4. What is the minimum distance at which a rearview mirror must allow the driver to see behind the vehicle?
Answer: 200 feet. The handbook requires a rearview mirror that allows visibility of at least 200 feet behind the car.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 99: “Mirrors — One rearview mirror is required so you can see at least 200 feet behind your car.”
5. When is it illegal for pedestrians to stand on the roadway?
Answer: To ask for a ride (hitchhiking). The handbook states that standing on the roadway to hitchhike is illegal.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 46: “Standing on the roadway to ask for a ride (hitchhiking) is illegal.”
6. What is the mandatory fine amount for a conviction of passing a stopped school bus with flashing lights and the stop arm extended?
Answer: $300. The handbook clearly states the mandatory fine is $300 for this specific violation.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 39: “If convicted of this violation, you will be subject to a mandatory fine of $300 and community service in an amount set by the court.”
7. In a business or residential area, what is the minimum distance required for giving a continuous turn signal before making a turn?
Answer: At least 100 feet. The handbook states that in business or residential areas, the signal must be given for at least 100 feet.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 36: “In a business or residential area, you must give a continuous turn signal for at least 100 feet before turning.”
8. If a highway does not have a sidewalk but has a shoulder, where should pedestrians walk?
Answer: On the shoulder as far from the roadway as possible. The handbook directs pedestrians to use the shoulder and stay as far away from the main roadway as possible when no sidewalk exists.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 46: “If a highway does not have a sidewalk but has a shoulder, pedestrians should always walk on the shoulder as far from the roadway as possible.”
9. What must a driver do when a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk?
Answer: Come to a complete stop and yield. The handbook mandates a complete stop and yield when a pedestrian is present in a marked crosswalk.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 33: “When a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk.”
10. According to the handbook, how should a driver treat an intersection when traffic control signals are not working?
Answer: Treat it as an all-way stop by coming to a complete stop, unless directed otherwise by law enforcement. The handbook states that non-working signals require treating the intersection as an all-way stop with a complete stop.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 84: “When traffic control signals are not working, you must always treat the intersection as an all-way stop by coming to a complete stop, unless directed otherwise by law enforcement.”
11. Who is allowed to park in spaces equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles?
Answer: Only electric vehicles. The handbook clearly restricts parking in charging station spaces exclusively to electric vehicles.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 41: “Only electric vehicles are allowed to park in these designated spaces.”
12. When encountering a solid double white line separating lanes moving in the same direction, what is the rule for crossing it?
Answer: Crossing is prohibited. The handbook specifies that while single solid white lines discourage crossing, crossing a double solid white line is strictly prohibited.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 86: “Crossing a double solid white line is prohibited.”
13. Under which condition is it permissible to pass on the right on a two-lane roadway?
Answer: When the vehicle ahead is making or about to make a left turn. Passing on the right is allowed on two-lane roads specifically when the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is sufficient room.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 34: “When you have enough room on a two-lane roadway, and when the vehicle you are passing is making or is about to make a left turn.”
14. What does the 'Slower Traffic Keep Right' sign instruct drivers to do on multilane highways?
Answer: Drive in the right lane if driving slower than the normal speed of traffic. The sign specifically directs drivers who are traveling slower than the normal flow of traffic to stay in the right lane.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 74: “It tells the slow driver to drive in the right lane.”
15. When two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop intersection at the same time, which vehicle must yield?
Answer: The vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. The handbook states that in this specific simultaneous arrival scenario, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 32: “When two vehicles on different roadways arrive at a four-way stop intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right.”
16. How should a driver treat a railroad crossbuck sign?
Answer: As a yield sign requiring yielding to trains. The handbook defines the railroad crossbuck sign as functioning like a yield sign, requiring drivers to yield right of way to trains.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 88: “Railroad Crossbuck Sign — If a railroad crossing has more than one track, the number of tracks is on the sign below the crossbuck. This is considered a yield sign, and you must yield the right of way to any oncoming trains and railroad equipment.”
17. According to the handbook, what does a flashing yellow arrow indicate for lane usage?
Answer: The lane may be used for approaching and making a left turn. The handbook states that a flashing yellow arrow allows the lane to be used for approaching and making a left turn.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 85: “Flashing Yellow “Arrow” — This indicates the lane may be used for approaching and making a left turn.”
18. What is the minimum distance a vehicle must be from a STOP sign when standing or parking?
Answer: Within 30 feet. The handbook states that standing or parking is prohibited within 30 feet of a STOP sign.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 42: “Within 30 feet of a STOP sign, YIELD sign, or traffic control signal.”
19. How should you approach bridges, shaded spots, and overpasses during winter driving?
Answer: Approach them slowly because they may remain icy after other areas are clear. The handbook specifies slowing down for these areas because they tend to stay icy longer than the surrounding roadway.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 92: “Approach bridges, shaded spots, overpasses and turns slowly. They may remain icy after the rest of the roadway is clear and dry.”
20. Under what circumstance may the Secretary of State’s office deny issuing or renewing a driver’s license according to the section on Denial?
Answer: If the driver is charged with an offense due to a crash resulting in serious injury or death. The handbook lists a crash involving bodily harm or death as a specific reason for denial, distinct from other reasons like medical issues or fraud which are categorized under Cancellation.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 67: “Crash Involving Bodily Harm or Death — The Secretary of State’s office may deny issuing or renewing a driver’s license if the driver has been charged with an offense due to a crash resulting in serious injury or death of another.”