Illinois Permit Test cheat sheet

Illinois speed limits: 30 mph in urban districts, 55 mph on rural two-lane highways, 65/70 mph on designated highways (posted).

Right turn on red permitted after full stop unless a sign prohibits it; left turn on red allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

At a four-way stop, the vehicle that arrives first has the right-of-way; if two arrive simultaneously, yield to the vehicle on the right.

Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, or bridge, and when a solid yellow line is on your side.

Illinois law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and to stop for school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arm.

Following distance: use the three-second rule under normal conditions; increase to four or more seconds in rain, snow, or darkness.

Safety belts are mandatory for front-seat occupants and all passengers under 19; children under 8 must use an appropriate child restraint system.

Move Over Law: on a two-lane road, reduce speed and change lanes if possible when approaching any stopped emergency, law-enforcement, or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights.

Red octagon = STOP; red triangle = YIELD; yellow diamond = warning; orange diamond = construction/work zone; green rectangle = guide/information.

A flashing red signal means stop and proceed when safe; a flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.

Solid yellow center line: no passing; double solid yellow: no passing in either direction; broken yellow on your side: passing permitted when safe.

Solid white lines mark the right edge of the roadway or separate lanes of same-direction traffic; broken white lines separate lanes where lane changes are allowed.

A steady red arrow means stop and remain stopped until the arrow changes; a green arrow means proceed in the direction indicated after yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

Railroad crossbuck sign (X-shaped) means yield to trains; a white rectangular sign with black letters 'RR' or a round yellow sign with 'R R' warns of an approaching crossing.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons; slow to the posted school-zone speed limit when children are present or when the sign indicates times.

Pavement markings: a yellow 'X' with 'RR' indicates a railroad crossing ahead; white arrows show required lane directions; a solid white stop line marks where to stop at signals and stop signs.

Smith System five keys: Aim high in steering, Get the big picture, Keep your eyes moving, Leave yourself an out, Make sure they see you.

Space cushion: maintain at least a 2-second following distance in ideal conditions, 3 seconds at night, and 4+ seconds in rain, snow, or ice.

Hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on a film of water; it can begin at speeds as low as 35 mph and is countered by slowing down and avoiding sudden braking.

Use the IPDE process: Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute-scan 12–15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20–30 seconds on highways.

When skidding, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go; avoid hard braking and do not overcorrect.

Distracted driving: Illinois law bans hand-held cell phone use while driving; texting while driving is illegal for all drivers, including hands-free devices in school and work zones.

Night driving: dim high beams within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles and within 300 feet when following another vehicle.

Fatigue impairs reaction time similarly to alcohol; take a break every 2 hours or 100 miles, and do not rely on caffeine or open windows to counteract drowsiness.

Bicycles on the roadway are vehicles with the same rights and duties as motor vehicles; give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a cyclist in Illinois.

Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; never share a lane with a motorcycle, and allow extra following distance because motorcycles can stop faster than cars.

School buses: when flashing red lights are active and the stop arm is extended, traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a raised median or physical barrier.

Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right-of-way; drivers must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian has cleared the driver's lane and the adjacent lane.

Large trucks have large blind spots (No-Zones) on all four sides; if you cannot see the truck driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

When a truck or bus makes a right turn, it may swing wide to the left; never pass on the right side of a turning large vehicle.

Emergency vehicles with lights and sirens: pull to the right edge of the roadway and stop until the vehicle passes; if in an intersection, proceed through and then pull over.

Slow-moving vehicles (farm equipment, horse-drawn buggies) display an orange triangle; slow down, be prepared to stop, and pass only when safe and legal.

If your vehicle begins to skid, ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid; do not brake hard unless the vehicle has antilock brakes.

In fog, use low-beam headlights; high beams reflect off the moisture and reduce visibility.

If a tire blows out, grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight while slowing gradually; do not brake hard.

If your brakes fail, pump the brake pedal, downshift to a lower gear, and use the parking brake gradually; if necessary, steer toward a safe off-road area.

If you are stranded in a vehicle during a blizzard, stay in the vehicle, run the engine only intermittently for heat, and keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

When an emergency vehicle approaches from any direction, pull to the right and stop; if you are in an intersection, continue through and then pull over.

Before driving in winter, clear all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof; Illinois law requires windows to be clear.

If you are involved in a crash, stop, render aid if needed, exchange information, and report the crash to police if there are injuries, a fatality, or property damage exceeding $1,500.