Illinois permit test: road signs
Sign shapes and colors, regulatory, warning, school, construction and maintenance, guide, route-marker and hazardous-materials signs, and railroad crossing signs. 46 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key road signs rulesShow the rules
- An octagon (eight sides) is always a STOP sign. (p. 66)
- Red signs are regulatory and must be obeyed. (p. 67)
- A five-sided sign with two walking children means a school is nearby. (p. 67)
- A do not enter sign is posted where you may not enter, such as one-way streets and expressway ramps approached the wrong way. (p. 68)
- An all-way stop means traffic from every direction must stop. (p. 68)
- A No Turn on Red sign prohibits right turns on red, and left turns on red between one-way streets. (p. 70)
- Crosswalks are not always at intersections; watch both sides of the street for pedestrians. (p. 71)
- A Road Closed sign means the road is closed to all traffic and you may not continue. (p. 71)
- A narrow bridge sign warns that the bridge is generally 2 feet narrower than the pavement leading to it. (p. 74)
- A merging lanes sign means two lanes will become one. (p. 75)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample road signs questions
1.A small sign below a curve arrow shows 40. What does it tell you?
- AThe maximum safe speed for the curve
- BThe distance to the curve
- CThe minimum speed
- DThe road number
Show the answer
✓ A. The maximum safe speed for the curve
A small sign under a turn or curve arrow can show the maximum safe speed for it.
2.You see this sign while on a divided highway. What is ahead?
- AA two-way highway with no divider
- BA lane added on the left
- CA one-way road heading your way
- DAn exit ramp to a rest area
Show the answer
✓ A. A two-way highway with no divider
The two-way roadway sign means you are leaving a divided road and approaching a highway with traffic in both directions.
3.What should you do when you see this sign?
- AShift into neutral to coast
- BSlow down before going down the hill
- CSpeed up for the climb ahead
- DWatch for a narrow bridge
Show the answer
✓ B. Slow down before going down the hill
A downgrade sign warns of a dangerous hill that may be long, steep or curvy. Slow down before starting down.
4.What do red signs mean?
- AThey mark parks and recreation
- BThey are regulatory and must be obeyed
- CThey warn of construction ahead
- DThey guide you to services
Show the answer
✓ B. They are regulatory and must be obeyed
Red signs are regulatory and must be obeyed. They include STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY.