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Illinois DMV Permit Test: Instruction Permit and Teen Licensing Concepts

Importance ★★★☆☆ · 13% (estimate)

Overview

Illinois uses graduated licensing so that new drivers build skill step by step. This chapter covers the instruction permit, the practice hours, and the night and passenger limits for young drivers.

You can get an instruction permit at 15 if you are enrolled in an approved driver education course. With a permit, you must drive with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old. Drivers under 18 must hold the permit for at least 9 months and complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, before getting a license.

Drivers under 18 may not drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights, or from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, and breaking this rule may lead to a suspension. For the first 12 months with a license, or until age 18 if sooner, a driver under 18 may carry only one passenger under 20, not counting brothers, sisters, children, or stepchildren. Drivers under 19 may not use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free, except in an emergency.

The written test has at least 35 questions, and you must answer 80% correctly to pass, which is 28 of 35.

Key concepts

  • Instruction permit

    Available at 15 with enrollment in an approved driver education course. You must drive with a licensed adult who is at least 21.

    Memory tip15 to start, and always with an adult 21 or older.

    Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (Illinois Secretary of State) · as of 2026

  • Before a license (under 18)

    Hold the permit at least 9 months and complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.

    Memory tip9 months, 50 hours, 10 at night.

    Source: Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/6-107 · as of 2026

  • Nighttime driving limits

    Drivers under 18 may not drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights, or from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Breaking the rule may lead to a suspension.

    Memory tipSchool nights 10, weekend nights 11, home by then until 6.

    Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (Illinois Secretary of State) · as of 2026

  • Passenger limit

    For the first 12 months with a license, or until 18 if sooner, a driver under 18 may carry only one passenger under 20. Brothers, sisters, children, and stepchildren of the driver do not count.

    Memory tipYear one: one young friend.

    Source: Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/6-107 · as of 2026

  • Written test

    At least 35 questions. You must answer 80% correctly, which is 28 of 35.

    Memory tipMiss no more than 7.

    Source: Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92, Section 1030.80 · as of 2026

Often tested

  • Instruction permit at 15 with driver education enrollment.
  • Under 18: hold the permit 9 months and log 50 hours, 10 at night.
  • Under 18: no driving 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
  • First 12 months: only one passenger under 20, family excepted.
  • Under 19: no phone at all while driving, except emergencies.

Easy to confuse: Night driving limits for drivers under 18

NightsNo driving from
Sunday through Thursday10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Friday and Saturday11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedWritten Knowledge Test › Instruction Permit and Teen Licensing★★★★☆

Question 1. If you are under 18, how long must you hold your Illinois instruction permit before you can get a license?

  1. ① 3 months
  2. ② 6 months
  3. ③ 9 months
  4. ④ 12 months
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ③ 9 months

Key point: Hold the permit at least 9 months if under 18

Drivers under 18 must hold the instruction permit for at least 9 months before getting a license.

Wrong choices

  • 3 months: 3 months is too short.
  • 6 months: 6 months is not the Illinois rule.
  • 12 months: 12 months is longer than the Illinois rule.
Practice questionReviewedWritten Knowledge Test › Instruction Permit and Teen Licensing★★★★☆

Question 2. How many hours of supervised practice driving must an Illinois driver under 18 complete before getting a license?

  1. ① 20 hours
  2. ② 30 hours
  3. ③ 50 hours
  4. ④ 100 hours
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ③ 50 hours

Key point: Under 18: 50 hours of supervised driving

Drivers under 18 must complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night. A parent or guardian certifies the hours.

Wrong choices

  • 20 hours: 20 hours is too few.
  • 30 hours: 30 hours is too few.
  • 100 hours: 100 hours is more than the rule requires.
Practice questionReviewedWritten Knowledge Test › Instruction Permit and Teen Licensing★★★★☆

Question 3. Who may supervise you while you drive with an Illinois instruction permit?

  1. ① Any passenger, any age
  2. ② A friend who has a learner's permit
  3. ③ A licensed adult who is at least 21 years old
  4. ④ No one; you may drive alone during the day
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ③ A licensed adult who is at least 21 years old

Key point: Permit driving: with a licensed adult 21 or older

With an instruction permit, you must drive with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old sitting next to you.

Wrong choices

  • Any passenger, any age: The supervisor must be a licensed adult at least 21.
  • A friend who has a learner's permit: Another permit holder cannot supervise you.
  • No one; you may drive alone during the day: Permit holders may not drive alone.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →

AI-written · Verified · Written by AI. Only units that passed a separate AI check (re-reading facts and numbers) are published. Tell us if you find a mistake.