Illinois DMV Permit Test Speed, Passing, and Parking Summary

In Illinois, the speed limit in an urban district is 30 mph unless a different limit is posted.

Wrong choices

• 25 mph: 25 mph is not the Illinois urban default.
• 35 mph: 35 mph is not the Illinois urban default.
• 45 mph: 45 mph is too fast for the urban default.

In Illinois, the speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph on school days when children are present. Signs mark the school zone.

Wrong choices

• 15 mph: 15 mph is the alley limit, not the school zone limit.
• 25 mph: 25 mph is not the Illinois school zone limit.
• 30 mph: 30 mph is the urban district default, not the school zone limit.

You may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Firefighters need room to reach it quickly.

Wrong choices

• No closer than 5 feet: 5 feet is far too close.
• No closer than 10 feet: 10 feet is still too close. The rule is 15 feet.
• No closer than 30 feet: 30 feet is the distance for a stop sign, not a hydrant.

You may not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Parked cars too close to a crosswalk hide people who are crossing.

Wrong choices

• No closer than 10 feet: 10 feet is too close.
• No closer than 30 feet: 30 feet is the rule for stop signs and traffic signals.
• No closer than 50 feet: 50 feet is the rule for railroad crossings.

Do not pass on a hill or curve where you cannot see far enough ahead. An oncoming car could appear with no time to get back into your lane.

Wrong choices

• When you can see far ahead on a straight road: A long, clear view ahead is when passing may be safe.
• When a broken yellow line is on your side: A broken yellow line on your side allows passing when it is safe.
• When the car ahead is going well under the limit: A slow car ahead may be passed if the road is clear and passing is allowed.

Illinois law sets the speed limit in an alley at 15 mph unless a different limit is posted. Alleys are narrow and people may walk out from garages or yards.

Wrong choices

• 10 mph: 10 mph is not the legal limit for alleys.
• 20 mph: 20 mph is the school zone limit.
• 25 mph: 25 mph is too fast for an alley.

You should normally pass on the left. Pass on the right only in the few cases the law allows, such as when there are two or more lanes going your way, and never on the shoulder.

Wrong choices

• On the right shoulder: Driving on the shoulder to pass is not allowed.
• On whichever side has more room: Room alone does not decide. Passing is normally on the left.
• Only on the right: Passing on the right is allowed only in limited cases.

Outside an urban district, Illinois sets a general limit of 55 mph on most highways unless a different limit is posted. Some highways, such as interstates, have higher posted limits. Always obey the posted sign.

Wrong choices

• 45 mph: 45 mph is not the Illinois default.
• 50 mph: 50 mph is not the Illinois default.
• 75 mph: 75 mph is not a default limit in Illinois.

Do not park within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, flashing signal, or traffic signal on the side you approach from. Drivers need to see the sign or light clearly.

Wrong choices

• 10 feet: 10 feet is too close.
• 15 feet: 15 feet is the fire hydrant rule.
• 20 feet: 20 feet is the crosswalk rule.

You may not park within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.

Wrong choices

• No closer than 15 feet: 15 feet is the fire hydrant rule.
• No closer than 30 feet: 30 feet is the stop sign rule.
• No closer than 100 feet: 100 feet is more than the law requires.