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The CDL general knowledge test is required to be taken by all CDL applicants. The Illinois CDL test consists of 50 questions. To pass, you must correctly answer at least 40 questions (80%). The general knowledge test covers the contents of the Illinois CDL Manual.
All CDL applicants (Class A, B and C) must study the following sections: Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Air Brakes (if you plan to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes), Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test, Road Test. In addition, the Class A CDL test will include questions based on the Combination Vehicles section. Take this CDL practice test now to prepare for the actual IL general knowledge test!
To get your CDL, you must pass both the knowledge and skills tests. CDL knowledge tests include: General Knowledge, Passenger Transport, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, Hazardous Materials, Tanker Vehicles, Doubles/Triples, School Bus, Firefighter. Depending on what class of license (A, B or C) and endorsements you need, you must take one or more knowledge tests. A special endorsement is also required to drive certain types of vehicles. The following endorsements may be used with a Class A, B or C CDL: HazMat (H), Tank Vehicles (N), Tank Vehicles Transporting Hazardous Materials (X) and Passenger Transport (P). The School Bus endorsement (S) is only available for Class A or B CDL, and the Doubles/Triples endorsement (T) is only available for Class A driver's licenses.
1.
To stay alert while driving, you should:
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never open the window or use the air conditioner.
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avoid medications that can cause drowsiness.
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rely on caffeine.
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All of the above.
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2.
What should you look for when checking tires?
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Cracked valve stems
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Cuts
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Fabric showing through the tread or sidewall
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All of the above
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3.
If the ABS is not working:
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the truck will have no brakes.
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the truck will still have normal brakes.
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you should immediately reduce your speed.
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All of the above.
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4.
How can you determine your following distance?
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When the vehicle ahead of you passes a stationary object such as a sign along the road, use the stopwatch on your smartphone to determine how long it takes you to reach that same object.
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When the vehicle ahead of you passes a stationary object on the side of road, start counting the seconds it takes you to reach that same object.
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Pass a stationary object and count how many seconds it takes the vehicle ahead of you to reach that same object.
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None of the above.
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5.
During a trip:
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you should not watch gauges as they can be misleading.
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you should watch gauges to make sure that valve caps are not missing.
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you should watch gauges for signs of trouble.
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None of the above.
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6.
Which of these statements is NOT true?
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BAC measures the amount of alcohol in your body.
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BAC is determined by the amount of alcohol you drink, how fast you drink, and your weight.
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The liver can only process ⅓ an ounce of alcohol per hour.
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Alcohol doesn't affects judgment and self-control.
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7.
If your tires are hot, you should NOT:
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stop to let the tires cool down.
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once the tires have cooled down, make another stop to check the tires.
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let air out of the tires so the pressure goes back to normal.
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drive until you correct the cause of the overheating.
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8.
Before driving a vehicle with a dual air system, the air compressor should build up a minimum of _____ pressure in both the primary and secondary systems.
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100 psi
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10 psi
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75 psi
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50 psi
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9.
To use the controlled braking method in an emergency, you should:
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apply the brakes when the wheels lock up.
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pump the brake pedal 3 times.
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apply your brakes all the way, and release the brakes when the wheels lock up.
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apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels.
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10.
In order to protect yourself and others, you must be aware that children may do something hazardous because:
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they tend to like trucks.
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they tend to act quickly without checking traffic.
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they are often found in school zones.
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they don't have a driving license.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a class D driver's license in Illinois, teens must follow the three steps of the Graduated Driver License (GDL) system. Here are the age requirements:
- For a learner's permit, you must be at least 15.
- For an initial license, you must be between 16-17.
- For a full license, you must be between 18-20.
For applicants between 18 and 20 years old, a six-hour adult driver education course is required before getting a driver’s license.
Visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s office website to book your written test. You can choose dates and times based on your preferences and the available options at various Illinois DMV locations.
You must present the following documents:
- Proof of written signature (credit cards, mortgage documents, passport, etc).
- Proof of date of birth with your full name.
- Proof of Social Security Number.
- Proof of residency (e.g., bank statement, insurance policy, or utility bill). For a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, you have to bring two proofs.
Use this checklist to prepare for your visit and ensure you have all the necessary documents.
The DMV written test in Illinois is available in English. If you don't speak English well or experience any reading difficulties, you can request an oral examination in person at any Secretary of State driver’s license office.
The DMV written test is based on the Illinois Driver's Manual. Focus on road signs, safe driving practices and road rules. Take our free practice tests to prepare for the permit test, or sign up for DMV Premium to unlock more resources and prepare for your exam faster!
The Illinois DMV written test consists of 35 questions. Among them, 15 focus on traffic sign identification, and the remaining 20 are multiple-choice or true-false questions. These questions are based on the official manual, so it's important to study it well to maximize your chances of passing the exam.
Illinois imposes specific restrictions on new drivers according to their age.
Permit phase:
- Driving is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Saturday-Thursday) and from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Friday-Saturday).
- The maximum number of passengers is one in the front seat, and the number of passengers in the back seat is limited to the available safety belts.
- Drivers and passengers must wear safety belts.
- Using a cell phone, including a hands-free device, is prohibited (except for emergencies).
Initial licensing phase:
- Driving is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Saturday-Thursday) and from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Friday-Saturday).
- Drivers and passengers must wear safety belts.
- During the first 12 months or until the driver turns 18, only one passenger under the age of 20 is allowed (except for family members). After this period, only one person is allowed in the front seat, and the number of passengers in the back seat is limited to the available safety belts.
- Using a cell phone, including a hands-free device, is prohibited (except for emergencies).
Full licensing phase:
- Drivers under 18 cannot operate for-hire vehicles transporting property or require a commercial driver’s license, and until 21, they are not allowed to use any for-hire vehicles transporting people.
- Using a cell phone, including a hands-free device, is forbidden for drivers under 19 (except for emergencies).
If you are under 18, the learner’s permit is valid for two years, with a requirement to hold it for a minimum of nine months before qualifying for a driver's license. For applicants over 18, the permit is valid for one year. If it expires, a renewal fee is applicable.
If you fail the DMV written test, you can take a second attempt on the same day. However, if you fail because you were caught cheating, you will have to wait 30 days before retaking it. Generally, you have three attempts to pass the permit test within one year after the application.