IL Permit 12: Teens, Phones, Belts & Your License

To get court supervision for a ticket, what must a driver under 18 do?

Traffic school, court with a parent

To get court supervision, a driver must attend traffic safety school; under 18 you must also appear in court with a parent or guardian. Drivers under 21 get only one supervision for serious offenses. (Rules of the Road, p. 19.)

A driver under 21 gets two moving violations in 24 months. What happens?

At least a 30-day suspension

A driver under 21 convicted of two or more moving violations within 24 months faces a minimum 30-day suspension and may need a remedial driver course. (Rules of the Road, p. 20, 60.)

At what age may you use a hands-free phone while driving?

19 or older

Illinois prohibits handheld phone use and texting while driving. Hands-free or Bluetooth calling is allowed for drivers 19 and older; pulling over is still recommended. (Rules of the Road, p. 22.)

Is holding your phone with the speaker on considered hands-free?

No, it is a violation

Using a cellphone while holding it, even on speaker, is not hands-free and violates Illinois law. (Rules of the Road, p. 22.)

When may you use a handheld phone in the car?

Emergency, parked, traffic blocked

You may use a phone that is not hands-free only to report an emergency, while parked on the shoulder, or while stopped because traffic is blocked and the car is in neutral or park. (Rules of the Road, p. 22.)

May you wear headphones in both ears while driving?

No, one-ear earpiece only

Illinois prohibits headsets while driving, except hearing aids. A single-sided headset or earpiece with a phone is permitted. Motorcyclists may use intercom helmets. (Rules of the Road, p. 22.)

Is it legal to watch live video or use social media on your phone while driving?

No

Watching or streaming live video, joining a video conference, or using social media on a phone while driving all violate Illinois law. A distraction crash can bring criminal charges. (Rules of the Road, p. 22, 93.)

Who must wear a seat belt?

Everyone 8+, front and back

Illinois law requires all drivers and passengers age 8 and older, in front and back seats, to wear safety belts, even with air bags. Children under 8 need a child restraint. (Rules of the Road, p. 23.)

Who is responsible for making sure all passengers are buckled?

The driver

It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure all passengers obey the safety belt law and the Child Passenger Protection Act, and to buckle anyone unable to do it themselves. (Rules of the Road, p. 23.)

Children under what age must ride in a child safety restraint?

Under 8

The Child Passenger Protection Act requires children under 8 to be secured in an appropriate child restraint, including booster seats used with a lap and shoulder belt. (Rules of the Road, p. 23.)

Until what age must a child ride rear-facing?

Age 2, unless over 40 lb or 40 in

Illinois law requires children to be secured in a rear-facing child restraint until age 2 unless they weigh more than 40 pounds or are more than 40 inches tall. (Rules of the Road, p. 24.)

Where should the lap belt sit?

Across the hip bones

Wear the lap belt across the hip bones, never across the stomach. The shoulder strap should be snug, cross near the neck, and never go behind your back or under your arm. (Rules of the Road, p. 23.)

How far should the driver sit from the steering-wheel air bag?

10 to 12 inches

A distance of 10 to 12 inches between the driver and the air bag is desirable, especially for short, elderly or pregnant drivers. (Rules of the Road, p. 23.)

Where should children 12 and younger ride?

Buckled in the back seat

Front air bags can seriously injure or kill children. Children 12 and younger should be secured in the back seat. Never install a rear-facing seat in front of an active air bag. (Rules of the Road, p. 23.)

How many people may ride in a car?

No more than there are seat belts

Do not overload a vehicle with passengers or cargo so the driver’s view is blocked. There should be no more people in the front and rear seats than there are seat belts. (Rules of the Road, p. 36.)

After a police officer pulls you over, what should you do?

Stay in, hands on the wheel

Pull onto the right shoulder, stay in the vehicle with both hands on the wheel, and do not get out unless asked. Getting out can be seen as a threat. At night you may turn on the interior light. (Rules of the Road, p. 21.)

Your insurance card is in the glove box. What should you do?

Tell the officer before reaching

If your license or insurance is in the glove box, under the seat or on your phone, tell the officer and follow their directions before getting it. (Rules of the Road, p. 21.)

Does signing a traffic ticket mean you admit guilt?

No, it confirms you got it

A traffic ticket requires your signature, but signing is not an admission of guilt, only acknowledgment of receiving the ticket. Do not argue at the scene; you can contest it in court. (Rules of the Road, p. 22.)

An unmarked car signals you to stop, and you cannot tell it is police. What may you do?

Drive slowly to a lit, busy place

If you cannot identify an unmarked vehicle as police, drive slowly below the limit and pull over at a well-lit, populated place, drive to a police station, or call 911. Turn on hazards to show your intent. (Rules of the Road, p. 21.)

You are in or come upon a crash. Where should you stop?

Safe, well-lit, out of traffic

Stop in a safe, well-lit public place that does not block traffic. Help the injured, call 911, warn drivers with flashers or flares, and exchange names, addresses, phones, license and plate numbers. (Rules of the Road, p. 54.)

When must a driver file a crash report, regardless of fault?

Injury, death, or over $1,500 damage

A driver must file a crash report if the crash involves death, injury, or more than $1,500 in property damage; more than $500 if any vehicle is uninsured; and for any school bus crash. (Rules of the Road, p. 54-55.)

How soon must you report a crash to police?

Within 30 minutes

A driver has 30 minutes to report a crash after it occurs. Without an officer present, report at the nearest police station; in rural areas, notify the sheriff or Illinois State Police. (Rules of the Road, p. 55.)

You hit a parked car and cannot find the owner. What must you do?

Leave your info and notify police

Stop away from traffic, leave your name, address, phone number and license plate number on the vehicle or property, notify police and complete any required reports. (Rules of the Road, p. 55.)

A driver is convicted of a mandatory insurance violation. What is the penalty?

License lost at least 3 months

Drivers convicted of mandatory insurance violations lose their driving privileges for at least three months and pay a $100 reinstatement fee, with no driving permit available. (Rules of the Road, p. 55.)

When must you file proof of financial responsibility?

All of these situations

You must file proof if you have an unpaid crash judgment, were suspended for an uninsured crash, got court supervision for an insurance violation, or have three or more insurance convictions. (Rules of the Road, p. 56.)

You lost your license for not paying crash damages. What must you file to get it back?

Proof of financial responsibility

Under the Safety Responsibility Law, privileges stay suspended until you provide proof of financial responsibility and keep that insurance for three years from first filing. (Rules of the Road, p. 55.)

What is a license revocation?

An indefinite loss of driving

A revocation is the indefinite withdrawal of driving privileges. You may be eligible to reapply after at least one year. Driving while revoked extends it and can bring jail. (Rules of the Road, p. 58.)

What is a license suspension?

A temporary loss of driving

A suspension is the temporary loss of driving privileges. You may regain them when it ends and you pay a reinstatement fee, and in some cases meet other requirements. (Rules of the Road, p. 59.)

Which offense brings a suspension (not revocation)?

Illegal alcohol transport twice

Illegally transporting alcohol twice in 12 months (age 21 or older) brings a suspension. Drag racing and three reckless driving offenses in 12 months bring revocation. (Rules of the Road, p. 59-60.)

Which can get your license suspended: ignoring a rail signal, a fake license, or not stopping for a school bus?

All of them

A license may be suspended for a second failure to obey a railroad-crossing signal, possessing or using a fraudulent license, or failing to stop for a school bus. (Rules of the Road, p. 59-60.)

Which can get your license revoked: leaving an injury crash, lying to the state, or reckless conduct?

All of them

Revocation offenses include leaving the scene of a crash that injured or killed someone, giving false information to the Secretary of State, and reckless conduct that injures or endangers others. (Rules of the Road, p. 58-59.)

Can your license be revoked for giving false information to the Secretary of State?

Yes

Perjury, giving false information to the Secretary of State, is an offense for which your license may be revoked. (Rules of the Road, p. 59.)

Can your license be canceled if you are medically or visually unfit to drive?

Yes

A license may be canceled for being medically or visually unfit to drive safely, failing to submit a required medical or vision report, or failing a required re-examination. (Rules of the Road, p. 60-61.)

Can a Restricted Driving Permit be issued to any suspended or revoked driver?

No

A Restricted Driving Permit allows driving only at certain times and routes for work, school, child care or medical care. It is not available to everyone and cannot go to anyone under 16. (Rules of the Road, p. 61.)

An adult gets three traffic convictions in 12 months. What can happen?

License suspended

Three traffic violation convictions within 12 months can suspend your license. If you were under 21 at the time of arrest, two violations within 24 months is enough. (Rules of the Road, p. 60.)

You move. How soon must you tell the Secretary of State your new address?

Within 10 days

You must notify the Secretary of State of an address change within 10 days of any move, at a DMV, online at ilsos.gov or by mail. (Rules of the Road, p. 6.)

You legally change your name. How soon must you apply for a corrected license?

Within 30 days

If you legally change your name, you must apply for a corrected driver’s license or ID card within 30 days, with documents linking the new name to the old one. (Rules of the Road, p. 6.)

You move to Illinois with another state’s license. How soon must you get an Illinois license?

Within 90 days

If you permanently move to Illinois with a valid license from another state or country, you must get an Illinois license within 90 days or before your license expires, whichever comes first. (Rules of the Road, p. 5.)

When does a license issued to a driver under 21 expire?

3 months after the 21st birthday

A driver’s license is normally valid for four years and expires on your birthday. For drivers under 21 it expires three months after the 21st birthday. (Rules of the Road, p. 8.)

You develop a condition that could make you lose consciousness. How soon must you notify the Secretary of State?

Within 10 days

If you develop a medical condition likely to cause loss of consciousness or of the ability to drive safely, notify the Secretary of State within 10 days. Failing to may lead to cancellation. (Rules of the Road, p. 9.)

How many tries do you get to pass each license exam?

Three, within one year

You are allowed three attempts to pass each exam within one year from the date you paid your application fee. (Rules of the Road, p. 13.)

What happens if you are caught cheating on the written exam?

You fail and wait 30 days

Anyone found cheating fails the exam and may not retake it for 30 days. Looking at a phone during the exam can count. Taking an exam for someone else is a crime with at least 7 days in jail. (Rules of the Road, p. 13.)

What is the minimum visual acuity to drive in Illinois?

20/40, with or without glasses

Illinois requires visual acuity of at least 20/40 with or without corrective lenses. Drivers between 20/41 and 20/70 may drive only in daylight. Corrective lenses become a license restriction. (Rules of the Road, p. 13.)

Your vision is between 20/41 and 20/70. What limit goes on your license?

Daylight driving only

A driver with visual acuity between 20/41 and 20/70 is limited to daylight driving only. (Rules of the Road, p. 13.)

How much side (peripheral) vision does Illinois require?

At least 140 degrees

Applicants need at least 140 degrees of peripheral vision, the ability to see to the side, with or without corrective lenses. (Rules of the Road, p. 13.)

What are Illinois’ minimum liability insurance limits?

$25,000 / $50,000 / $20,000

Minimum liability insurance: $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for more than one person, and $20,000 for damage to another’s property. (Rules of the Road, p. 98.)

How may you show proof of insurance to an officer?

A card in the car or on your phone

Evidence of liability coverage must be carried and shown to police on request. Insurers issue Illinois insurance cards, or a card you can show on a phone or other electronic device. (Rules of the Road, p. 98.)

A driver under 21 gets court supervision for drinking while in a vehicle. What happens to the license?

A 3-month suspension

A person under 21 who gets court supervision for possessing, consuming, buying or receiving alcohol while in a vehicle gets a three-month suspension; a conviction brings at least six months. (Rules of the Road, p. 20.)