Illinois permit test: safe driver habits
Distracted driving, safety belts and fitting, air bags, child passenger protection, drowsy and aggressive driving. 21 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key safe driver habits rulesShow the rules
- Obey police, firefighters, highway officials and uniformed adult school crossing guards who direct traffic. (p. 24)
- Using a cellphone while holding it, even on speakerphone, is not hands-free and violates Illinois law. (p. 25)
- Booster seats must be used only with a lap/shoulder belt. (p. 26)
- Illinois requires all drivers and passengers 8 and older, front and back, to wear safety belts, even with air bags. (p. 26)
- Air bags can seriously hurt children, so it is recommended that children 12 and younger ride properly secured in the back seat. (p. 26)
- Try to keep 10 to 12 inches between your chest and the steering-wheel air bag. (p. 26)
- Wear the lap belt across the hip bones, never across the stomach. (p. 26)
- Never install a rear-facing child seat in front of an active air bag. (p. 26)
- In fog, turn off cruise control, slow down, increase following distance and use low beams or fog lights. (p. 87)
- Be properly rested, stop frequently on long trips, and exercise your eyes by reading road signs or shifting focus around the road. (p. 87)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample safe driver habits questions
1.A driver holds her phone in her hand and talks on speakerphone while driving. Is this legal in Illinois?
- ANo, holding the phone is not hands-free
- BYes, if she is 19 or older
- CYes, for calls under 1 minute
- DYes, because she uses the speaker
Show the answer
✓ A. No, holding the phone is not hands-free
Using a cellphone while holding it, even on speakerphone, is not hands-free and violates Illinois law.
2.The fog becomes so dense that you can barely see. What does the handbook say to do?
- ACreep along at 5 to 10 mph
- BPull off the road and stop
- CSpeed up to get out of it
- DFollow close behind a truck
Show the answer
✓ B. Pull off the road and stop
If fog is too dense, pull off the roadway and stop. Do not creep along at 5 to 10 mph.
3.Where must a rear-facing child safety seat never be installed?
- ABehind the driver's seat
- BIn the back seat
- CIn the middle of the back seat
- DIn front of an active air bag
Show the answer
✓ D. In front of an active air bag
Never install a rear-facing child seat in front of an active air bag.
4.You are driving in fog. Which headlights should you use?
- AHigh beams
- BParking lights only
- CLow beams or fog lights
- DNo lights, to cut glare
Show the answer
✓ C. Low beams or fog lights
In fog, turn off cruise control, slow down, increase following distance and use low beams or fog lights.