20 questions from the Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. How long must a person convicted of a DUI maintain Financial Responsibility Insurance?
Answer: Three years. The handbook clearly mandates that Financial Responsibility Insurance must be filed for a duration of three years following a DUI conviction.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 56: “A DUI conviction also requires you to file Financial Responsibility Insurance for three years.”
2. What color scheme is used for a YIELD sign?
Answer: Red and white. The handbook states that YIELD signs are colored red and white.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 70: “YIELD signs are red and white.”
3. Under the Safety Responsibility Law, how long must a driver maintain insurance coverage after providing proof of financial responsibility following a crash?
Answer: Three years from the date the proof is first filed. The handbook specifies a mandatory three-year period for maintaining insurance starting from the date proof is filed.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 61: “Driver’s license or vehicle registration privileges will remain suspended until the person provides proof of financial responsibility and maintains the insurance for a period of three years from the date the proof is first filed.”
4. When encountering an organized funeral procession, which action is prohibited for a motorist?
Answer: Driving between vehicles in the procession. The handbook instructs drivers not to cut through or drive between vehicles in a funeral procession unless directed by police.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 32: “Motorists should NOT drive between vehicles in an organized funeral procession except when directed by a law enforcement officer.”
5. What is the maximum validity period for a temporary disability parking placard issued by the Secretary of State?
Answer: Six months. The handbook distinguishes between placards issued by the Secretary of State (max 6 months) and those issued by local municipalities (max 90 days).
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 106: “The placard is valid for the length of time indicated by the certifying physician, not to exceed six months if issued by the Secretary of State and 90 days if issued by a local municipality.”
6. What does the 'Pass with Care' sign indicate to drivers?
Answer: That you have reached the end of the no-passing zone and may pass when safe. The sign signals the end of a no-passing zone, allowing drivers to pass only when it is safe to do so.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 75: “Pass with Care This sign informs you that you have reached the end of the no-passing zone. You may pass now only when it is safe.”
7. What is the maximum duration for which a Probationary License may be issued to a driver age 21 and over?
Answer: Three months. The handbook specifies that a Probationary License cannot be issued for a period longer than three months.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 111: “The license may only be issued to a person suspended for three moving violations in a 12-month period and cannot be issued for more than three months.”
8. When parking parallel on a street with two-way traffic, how close must your right-hand wheels be to the curb?
Answer: Within 12 inches. The handbook states that parallel parking on two-way streets requires the right-hand wheels to be within 12 inches of the curb.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 41: “When parking on streets with two-way traffic, park so the right-hand wheels are parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb.”
9. How many hours of practice driving must a driver aged 16 or 17 complete to receive their license?
Answer: 50 hours. Drivers aged 16 or 17 are required to complete 50 hours of practice driving as part of the licensing requirements.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 11: “If you are age 16 or 17, you may receive your license if you successfully complete a state-approved driver education course, complete 50 hours of practice driving, and pass the three parts of the driver’s license exam.”
10. When must a driver stop at a railroad crossing equipped with flashing light signals?
Answer: When lights begin to flash, until they stop flashing. The rule requires stopping as soon as the lights begin to flash and remaining stopped until the lights cease flashing.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 88: “Flashing Light Signals — When lights begin to flash, you must always stop until the train has passed and the lights have stopped flashing.”
11. What is the consequence for individuals involved in a motorboat crash where injuries or death occur if they refuse to submit to chemical testing to determine their BAC?
Answer: They may lose their driving privileges. The handbook specifies that refusing chemical testing after such a crash can result in the loss of driving privileges.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 57: “Individuals involved in a motorboat crash where injuries or death occur may lose their driving privileges for refusing to submit to chemical testing to determine their BAC.”
12. What action is required when approaching a MERGE sign with through traffic?
Answer: Increase or decrease speed to avoid a crash. The rule specifies adjusting speed to merge safely rather than stopping completely or ignoring traffic flow.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 32: “When approaching a MERGE sign with through traffic. You must increase or decrease speed to avoid a crash.”
13. Under what condition is a Restricted Local Driver’s License issued?
Answer: To drivers who live in a community with less than 3,500 residents and drive only within certain areas of the community. This specific license type is restricted to residents of small communities (under 3,500 people) who limit their driving to that area.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 111: “Restricted Local Driver’s License — Issued to a driver who lives in a community with less than 3,500 residents and drives only within certain areas of the community.”
14. When approaching a railroad crossing with a manual transmission, when should you shift gears?
Answer: Shift down before reaching the tracks. The handbook instructs drivers to shift down before reaching the tracks and advises against changing gears while crossing to prevent stalling.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 40: “If a vehicle has a manual transmission, shift down before reaching the tracks. To avoid stalling, do not change gears while crossing the track.”
15. Which of the following is true regarding cannabis use and driving in Illinois?
Answer: It is illegal to operate a vehicle with any trace of a controlled drug in the blood. The handbook states that having any trace of a controlled substance in the blood makes it illegal to operate a vehicle.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 54: “It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle on Illinois highways with any trace of a controlled drug, substance, or intoxicating compound in the blood.”
16. Which counties are listed as having parts of their area subject to emissions testing requirements?
Answer: Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair. The handbook distinguishes between counties where testing is required for all vehicles (Cook, DuPage, Lake) and counties where it is required only for parts of the area (Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe, St. Clair).
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 105: “A vehicle emissions test is required in the following counties: all of Cook, DuPage and Lake, and parts of Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair.”
17. What action is recommended if your headlights fail suddenly?
Answer: Try using your vehicle’s emergency flashers, parking lights and/or turn signals. The handbook advises using emergency flashers, parking lights, or turn signals and pulling off the road when headlights fail.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 96: “If your headlights fail suddenly, try using your vehicle’s emergency flashers, parking lights and/or turn signals, and pull off the road.”
18. What is the consequence for a driver under age 18 who receives court supervision for certain alcohol-related violations?
Answer: They are denied a full graduated driver’s license for nine months. The handbook indicates that drivers under 18 receiving court supervision for specific alcohol violations face a nine-month denial of their full graduated license.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 25: “If receiving court supervision for certain alcohol-related violations, a driver under age 18 will be denied a full graduated driver’s license for nine months.”
19. What restriction applies to a driver whose visual acuity is measured between 20/41 and 20/70?
Answer: They are limited to daylight driving only. The handbook specifies that drivers with vision falling within this specific range are restricted to driving during daylight hours.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 19: “A driver with acuity between 20/41 and 20/70 is limited to daylight driving only.”
20. According to the handbook, what should you do if your gas pedal becomes stuck?
Answer: Hook your toe under it to free it. The handbook instructs drivers to hook their toe under the stuck pedal to try to free it.
Illinois Rules of the Road (DSD A 112), page 96: “If your gas pedal becomes stuck, hook your toe under it to free it.”