Illinois Motorcycle: Traffic Laws & Signals Practice Test

Question 1

What is the Illinois rule covering a motorcycle's muffler and exhaust system?

Accepted Answer

It must be working and maintained at all times, and louder exhausts are illegal — The muffler has to work at all times and be kept up so the bike is not unusually loud, and reworking the exhaust to raise the noise level is against the law.

Answer

Mufflers are optional on bikes under 150cc

Answer

A muffler is needed only inside city limits

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Exhaust noise is limited only between sunset and sunrise

Question 2

What does Illinois law require regarding a motorcycle's headlight?

Accepted Answer

It must be on whenever you ride on streets and highways — State law in Illinois says the headlight must stay lit any time you ride on public streets or highways, which also helps others see you.

Answer

It only needs to be on at night

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It may stay off in daylight

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It is optional on city streets

Question 3

What does Illinois require of a motorcycle's headlight and horn as equipment?

Accepted Answer

A headlight visible for 500 feet and a horn heard for 200 feet — A motorcycle must have at least one white headlight visible for 500 feet and a horn that can be heard for 200 feet.

Answer

A headlight visible for 100 feet and no horn

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Only a taillight, with no headlight needed

Answer

A red headlight and a 50-foot horn

Question 4

What eye-protection rule applies to a motorcycle's driver and passenger in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Both driver and passenger must have glasses, goggles, or a windshield — Both the driver and any passenger must be protected by glasses, goggles, or a transparent windshield.

Answer

Only the driver needs eye protection

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No eye protection is required if under 30 mph

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Only passengers need eye protection

Question 5

Which Illinois rules apply to a motorcycle's handlebars?

Accepted Answer

They must sit no higher than the seated rider's head, and one hand stays on a grip while moving — Handlebars may not rise above the head of the rider sitting in a normal riding position, and a hand has to stay on a grip the whole time the bike is rolling.

Answer

They may be any height as long as both hands stay on them

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They must be lower than the headlight at all times

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No rule applies unless a passenger is being carried

Question 6

When must the license plate light on an Illinois motorcycle be lit, and what must it accomplish?

Accepted Answer

Whenever the headlight is on, showing the plate from 50 feet away — The white plate lamp burns any time the headlight is on, and it has to make the plate readable from a distance of 50 feet.

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Only after dark, showing the plate from 200 feet

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Only when a passenger is aboard, showing the plate from 20 feet

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At all times the engine runs, showing the plate from 500 feet

Question 7

What red lighting does Illinois require at the rear of a motorcycle?

Accepted Answer

A taillight and a brake-operated stoplight, each visible for 500 feet — Two red lamps are required back there: a taillight and a stoplight worked by the brake, and each has to be seen from 500 feet away.

Answer

A single red lamp that flashes when braking

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A taillight only, visible for 100 feet

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Any red reflector large enough to be seen at night

Question 8

Under Illinois law, how does operating a motorcycle on one wheel classify?

Accepted Answer

Reckless driving — Illinois treats riding on a single wheel as reckless driving, also called aggravated operation of a cycle on one wheel.

Answer

A permitted stunt on private roads

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A minor equipment violation

Answer

Legal below 15 mph

Question 9

A motorcyclist is prohibited from passing on the right unless what is true?

Accepted Answer

There is at least eight feet of clear pavement to the right of that vehicle — You may pass on the right only when clear pavement of at least eight feet lies alongside, to the right of the vehicle you are overtaking.

Answer

You use your horn first

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You are traveling under 20 mph

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The shoulder is paved for any width

Question 10

What does Illinois require of the brakes on a motorcycle ridden on public roads?

Accepted Answer

Both wheels braked, with a separate means of applying each one — A motorcycle needs braking on both wheels, and each wheel must have its own way of being applied; a motor-driven cycle needs only one braked wheel, preferably the rear.

Answer

One brake on the front wheel only

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Any single brake, as long as it is hand operated

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Linked brakes operated by a single lever

Question 11

How much of the road behind must a motorcycle's rearview mirror show?

Accepted Answer

At least 200 feet — Illinois sets a minimum reach for the mirror: it has to give the rider a view covering at least 200 feet to the rear.

Answer

At least 50 feet

Answer

At least 100 feet

Answer

At least 500 feet

Illinois Motorcycle: Traffic Laws & Signals practice test

Study questions with answers

1. What is the Illinois rule covering a motorcycle's muffler and exhaust system?

2. What does Illinois law require regarding a motorcycle's headlight?

3. What does Illinois require of a motorcycle's headlight and horn as equipment?

4. What eye-protection rule applies to a motorcycle's driver and passenger in Illinois?

5. Which Illinois rules apply to a motorcycle's handlebars?

6. When must the license plate light on an Illinois motorcycle be lit, and what must it accomplish?

7. What red lighting does Illinois require at the rear of a motorcycle?

8. Under Illinois law, how does operating a motorcycle on one wheel classify?

9. A motorcyclist is prohibited from passing on the right unless what is true?

10. What does Illinois require of the brakes on a motorcycle ridden on public roads?

11. How much of the road behind must a motorcycle's rearview mirror show?

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