Illinois Secretary of State (SOS)
Illinois Permit Test (2026)
Study for the official SOS Written exam (traffic laws and traffic sign identification) with free practice tests written from the state's own rules — plus the verified facts below: how many questions, the passing score, and what it costs.
Illinois permit test: quick facts
- Questions on the exam
- 35
- Passing score
- 28 of 35 correct (80%)
- Minimum permit age
- 15 (must be enrolled in an approved driver education course; 17 years, 3 months without driver education)
- Fee
- $20 for an original instruction permit (first-time applicant under 69; $10 if you previously held an Illinois permit or license; $5 at age 69 or older)
- If you fail
- The license fee entitles you to three attempts to pass the written and/or road tests within one year of the first attempt; a second same-day attempt at the written test may be allowed during facility business hours. Cheating means automatic failure and a 30-day bar on retesting.
- Online testing
- In person only
- Languages
- English by rule, plus any other languages the Secretary of State deems necessary based on identifiable demand; oral testing is available for applicants who cannot read, and interpreters may be used (except on CDL knowledge tests)
How it works
Step 1
Take Practice Test 1 like the real thing — no notes, one question at a time.
Step 2
Read every explanation, especially for questions you missed. That's where the learning happens.
Step 3
Repeat with Test 2 and the road signs test until you pass comfortably every time.
Free Illinois practice tests
Illinois Practice Test 1
30 questions — signs, rules, and state law
Illinois Practice Test 2
30 fresh questions, no repeats from Test 1
Illinois Road Signs Test
25 questions on signs, shapes, and signals
New-driver rules in Illinois
Illinois teens may get an instruction permit at 15 while enrolled in driver education and must hold it at least 9 months, with a parent or guardian certifying 50 hours of supervised practice (at least 10 at night), before a graduated license can be issued at 16. Permit and under-18 license holders may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, or between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, with limited exceptions. For the first 12 months of licensure or until age 18, only one passenger under age 20 is allowed unless the additional passengers are the driver's siblings, step-siblings, children, or stepchildren.
Verified 2026-08-18 · Source: SOS
Illinois permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Illinois permit test?
The official Illinois Written exam (traffic laws and traffic sign identification) has 35 questions, according to the SOS (verified 2026-08-18).
What score do you need to pass the Illinois permit test?
You must answer 28 of 35 questions correctly (80%) to pass the Illinois Written exam (traffic laws and traffic sign identification).
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Illinois?
You can apply for a learner's permit in Illinois at 15 (must be enrolled in an approved driver education course; 17 years, 3 months without driver education), according to the SOS (verified 2026-08-18).
How much does the Illinois permit cost?
$20 for an original instruction permit (first-time applicant under 69; $10 if you previously held an Illinois permit or license; $5 at age 69 or older) — as listed by the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS), verified 2026-08-18. Always confirm current fees on the official site.
What happens if you fail the Illinois permit test?
The license fee entitles you to three attempts to pass the written and/or road tests within one year of the first attempt; a second same-day attempt at the written test may be allowed during facility business hours. Cheating means automatic failure and a 30-day bar on retesting. (per the SOS, verified 2026-08-18).
Can you take the Illinois permit test online?
No. The Illinois Written exam (traffic laws and traffic sign identification) is administered in person through the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS), not online.
What languages is the Illinois permit test offered in?
English by rule, plus any other languages the Secretary of State deems necessary based on identifiable demand; oral testing is available for applicants who cannot read, and interpreters may be used (except on CDL knowledge tests) (per the SOS, verified 2026-08-18).
Who runs the permit test in Illinois?
Driver licensing in Illinois is handled by the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS). The official site is https://www.ilsos.gov/.