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Illinois permit test: road signs and signals questions

Illinois requires 80% right to pass the permit test and does not publish a fixed number of questions. Our practice test has 35 questions and asks for 28 right. Test format source

These 10 questions come from FirstTry's Illinois bank, written from the Illinois Rules of the Road 2026. Pick your answer, then open "Show the answer". Each answer links to the handbook section it comes from.

10 road signs and signals questions

You see a yellow, three-sided sign with black lettering on the left-hand side of a road where traffic runs both ways. What does it tell you?

  1. A no-passing zone is starting
  2. You must yield to merging traffic
  3. A school crossing is ahead
Show the answer

A no-passing zone is starting. This pennant-shaped yellow sign marks where a no-passing zone begins, and no-passing lines are also painted on the pavement there.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Shapes of Signs (PDF p. 67)

An eight-sided red sign stands at an intersection. What must you do?

  1. Yield only if other cars are coming
  2. Slow down and roll through if the way is clear
  3. Stop completely at the stop line, or before the crosswalk if there is none
Show the answer

Stop completely at the stop line, or before the crosswalk if there is none. If there is no crosswalk either, stop before entering the intersection, then yield to pedestrians and approaching traffic.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Shapes of Signs (PDF p. 66)

What does a three-sided, red and white sign require?

  1. Stop no matter what, even on an empty road
  2. Let all traffic and pedestrians go before you proceed
  3. Speed up to merge
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Let all traffic and pedestrians go before you proceed. Slow to a safe speed and stop if you must; where you stop, do it at a marked crosswalk or before the intersection.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Shapes of Signs (PDF p. 66)

A round yellow sign with a black X and RR letters is posted ahead. What does it warn of?

  1. A railroad track crossing the road ahead
  2. A roundabout ahead
  3. A rest area ahead
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A railroad track crossing the road ahead. In rural areas the sign can sit up to 750 feet before the crossing. Roll your windows down and listen for trains.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Shapes of Signs (PDF p. 66)

A five-sided, yellow-green sign shows two children walking. What does it mark?

  1. A school zone or a school crossing
  2. A playground only
  3. A construction zone
Show the answer

A school zone or a school crossing. Two children walking means a school is close by; with a downward arrow, you are at a school crossing.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Shapes of Signs (PDF p. 67)

What do red signs like DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY have in common?

  1. They mark scenic routes
  2. They are only suggestions
  3. They are regulatory and must be obeyed
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They are regulatory and must be obeyed. STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER, and WRONG WAY are all red regulatory signs.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Colors of Signs (PDF p. 67)

A blue sign along the highway is most likely telling you about...

  1. Upcoming road work
  2. Park locations
  3. Services, like gas, food, or lodging, along the road
Show the answer

Services, like gas, food, or lodging, along the road. Green is for directions and distances, and brown marks parks and recreation.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Colors of Signs (PDF p. 68)

A sign shows a red circle with a red slash across a picture. What does it mean?

  1. A hospital is ahead
  2. The pictured action is not allowed
  3. The pictured action is recommended
Show the answer

The pictured action is not allowed. The picture inside the circle shows exactly what is banned, like a U-turn.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Regulatory Signs > No (Not Allowed) (PDF p. 69)

What does a Pass With Care sign tell you?

  1. The no-passing zone has ended, so passing is legal again when safe
  2. Only trucks may pass
  3. Passing is allowed without checking
Show the answer

The no-passing zone has ended, so passing is legal again when safe. Do Not Pass signs are paired with solid yellow no-passing lines on the pavement.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Regulatory Signs > Pass with Care (PDF p. 71)

You are on the expressway past a merge sign as cars come down the ramp. What should you do?

  1. Speed up so they fall in behind you
  2. Hold your lane and make them stop
  3. Slow down to let the ramp traffic merge
Show the answer

Slow down to let the ramp traffic merge. A merge sign means two same-direction lanes become one, so be ready to change lanes or let others in.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Roadway Signs > Warning Signs > Merging Lanes (PDF p. 75)

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