Illinois permit test: passing, lanes and expressways
Passing and no-passing zones, lane usage, changing lanes and expressway driving. 19 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember9 key passing, lanes and expressways rulesShow the rules
- When passing, you must be back in your lane before you get within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle. (p. 31)
- The driver of a vehicle being passed must not increase speed until the passing driver has completed the maneuver. (p. 31)
- When passing a pedestrian on the road or shoulder, or a bicyclist anywhere including a bike lane, keep at least 3 feet away. (p. 31)
- Don't turn back into the right lane until the entire vehicle you passed is visible in your rearview mirror. (p. 31)
- Illinois forbids using turn signals to wave other drivers past. (p. 31)
- Passing on a two-lane road is not allowed where a solid yellow line or a no-passing sign marks the zone. (p. 32)
- Slow drivers belong in the right-hand lane; keep the left lane free for passing and turns. (p. 49)
- On an expressway entrance, use the speed-change lane to gain speed. (p. 89)
- On expressways, the right lane is for slower traffic and the left lane is for faster traffic and passing. (p. 89)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample passing, lanes and expressways questions
1.While passing on a two-lane highway, how close to an oncoming vehicle may you be before you are back in your lane?
- ANo closer than 200 feet
- BNo closer than 50 feet
- CNo closer than 500 feet
- DNo closer than 100 feet
Show the answer
✓ A. No closer than 200 feet
When passing, you must be back in your lane before you get within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
2.On a two-lane road, a solid yellow line is on your side of the center. May you pass?
- AYes, if the driver ahead waves
- BYes, if no one is coming
- COnly during the day
- DNo, it marks a no-passing area
Show the answer
✓ D. No, it marks a no-passing area
Passing on a two-lane road is not allowed where a solid yellow line or a no-passing sign marks the zone.
3.You are on a two-lane road in a highway construction zone with no workers in sight. May you pass a slow car?
- AYes, as long as the road is straight
- BNo, every Illinois work zone is no-passing
- CYes, as long as no workers are present
- DYes, as long as it is the weekend
Show the answer
✓ B. No, every Illinois work zone is no-passing
All construction zones in Illinois are no passing zones on two-lane, two-way roads.
4.A bicyclist is riding in a marked bike lane beside you. How much space must you leave when passing?
- ANone, since they are in a bike lane
- BAt least 1 foot
- CAt least 3 feet
- DAt least 6 inches
Show the answer
✓ C. At least 3 feet
Keep at least 3 feet from a bicyclist when passing on any road, including one riding on the shoulder or in a bike lane.