A person causes a crash resulting in death through the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle. What does the statute say about a permit?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
An applicant was convicted of reckless driving. Within what period before the application does that bar the permit?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
An applicant's license was suspended in the last 3 years only for failure to pay child support. Does that suspension bar the permit?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a-5)
For how long before applying must an applicant's driver's license have been free of revocation, suspension or cancellation?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
How often must a permit holder complete a refresher course after the initial classroom course?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
How old must an applicant for an Illinois school bus driver permit be?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
What does the medical examination for the permit include for an applicant who is not tested under federal law?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
What happens to the permit if the holder fails to complete the annual refresher course?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
What is the smallest number of serious traffic offenses within one year before applying that bars an applicant from the permit?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
Show all 97 questions (88 more)
Who may hold the permit, continued
What must an applicant affirm under penalties of perjury?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
What must the initial classroom course in school bus driver safety include, by statute?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
What review does an applicant submit to at the time the written test is given?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
Which subjects does the statute give for the written test for a school bus driver permit?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
Who administers the written test for the school bus driver permit under the statute?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
Who may conduct the medical examination for a school bus driver permit?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
Who sets how long a school bus driver permit is valid?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(b)
Within how many days of the application must the applicant's medical examination have been conducted?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
Application, fingerprints and the employer 10
A driver who was fingerprinted for a first permit applies for a later permit. Is fingerprinting repeated?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
A permit holder is convicted in another state of an offense that would make him or her ineligible. Within how many days must written notice be given?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(f)
A permit holder who is a service member returns from active duty with an inactive permit. How long does he or she have to renew it?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(i)
From whom does an applicant obtain the application for a school bus driver permit?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
To whom must a permit holder report an out-of-state conviction that would make him or her ineligible?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(f)
What information does the statute say a school bus driver permit shall contain, besides the holder's name and address?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(c)
What is the status of a permit while the Federal Bureau of Investigation background check is still pending?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(e)
Which check does the fingerprint submission for the permit support?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
Who conducts the pre-employment interview with a prospective school bus driver?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(d)
Who pays the application and fingerprinting fees for the permit under the statute?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(a)
Cancellation, suspension and alcohol tests 9
A permit holder fails to perform the inspection procedure of Section 12-816. What does the Secretary of State do on notice from the employer?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(g)
A permit holder refuses a reasonable suspicion alcohol or drug test. What follows under Section 6-106.1(g)(7)?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(g)
A permit is canceled under Section 6-106.1a for a test over 0.00 or a refusal. How long until the privilege can be restored?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1b
A reasonable suspicion test of a permit holder shows an alcohol concentration above what level for the permit to be suspended?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(g)
An applicant fails to obtain a negative result on the required drug test. For how long may the Secretary of State not issue a permit?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(g)
Under Section 6-106.1a, a permit holder driving a school bus on a regular route is deemed to have consented to chemical testing when what has happened?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1a
What happens to a school bus driver permit if the holder's commercial driving privileges are withdrawn?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1(g)
Who pays for a reasonable suspicion test of a permit holder, unless a contract or bargaining agreement says otherwise?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1c
Within how many hours must an employer notify the Secretary of State of a reasonable suspicion test result above 0.00 or a refusal?625 ILCS 5/6-106.1c
Other drivers and a stopped bus 7
A school bus is stopped with its signals on to load pupils. When may a stopped driver proceed?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(a)
At which locations must other drivers stop for a school bus that is stopped to receive or discharge pupils?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(a)
For how long are driving privileges suspended on a first conviction for passing a stopped school bus?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(f)
On which road may a driver meeting a stopped school bus from the opposite direction continue without stopping?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(e)
Under Section 12-803(f), a driver may not make contact with a school child within what distance of a stopped school bus?625 ILCS 5/12-803(f)
What is the mandatory fine for a first conviction under Section 11-1414?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(f)
What is the suspension for a second conviction for passing a stopped school bus within 5 years of the first?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(f)
Using the stop arm and signal lamps 6
How long do the amber signal lamps stay on once they are actuated for a pupil stop?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(d)
Outside an urban area, for at least what distance before a pupil stop must the amber signal lamps flash?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(d)
When are the alternately flashing red signal lamps actuated?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(c)
When is the stop signal arm extended?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(b)
When must the stop signal arm be closed?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(b)
Within an urban area, for at least what distance before a pupil stop must the amber signal lamps flash?625 ILCS 5/11-1414(d)
Where a bus stops to load 4
How must school bus routes be arranged with respect to highways of 4 or more lanes?625 ILCS 5/11-1415
On a one-way roadway or a highway with 4 or more lanes, on which side does a school bus stop to load or discharge passengers?625 ILCS 5/11-1415
On a two-way highway of 4 or more lanes, which passengers may a school bus load or discharge?625 ILCS 5/11-1415
Where shall a school child in an urban area cross a highway, unless escorted as paragraph (b) allows?625 ILCS 5/11-1415
Railroad crossings 7
A crossing has a working traffic signal showing green. Does a school bus still have to stop?625 ILCS 5/11-1202
At which railroad crossing does the stop requirement of Section 11-1202 not apply to a school bus?625 ILCS 5/11-1202
How far from the nearest rail must a school bus stop at a railroad grade crossing?625 ILCS 5/11-1202
What does Section 11-1202 say about gears when a bus proceeds over the tracks after stopping?625 ILCS 5/11-1202
What must a school bus driver open before crossing a railroad track?625 ILCS 5/11-1202
Which accessories must a school bus driver turn off before crossing a railroad track?625 ILCS 5/11-1202
While stopped at the crossing, what must the driver do before proceeding?625 ILCS 5/11-1202
Signs, lamps and equipment 20
A school bus carries adults over 18 on a trip that has no connection with the school. What must be done with the "SCHOOL BUS" signs?625 ILCS 5/12-806
From what distance must each signal lamp of the flashing system be visible in normal sunlight?625 ILCS 5/12-805
How are the emergency exits of a school bus marked on the outside?625 ILCS 5/12-815.1
How high must the letters of the "SCHOOL BUS" sign on the front and rear be?625 ILCS 5/12-802
How is the 8-lamp flashing signal system actuated?625 ILCS 5/12-805
How many extensions to the required stop arm may be installed on the driver's side of a school bus?625 ILCS 5/12-803(d)
How many passengers may a school bus carry under Section 12-707?625 ILCS 5/12-707
On how much seating space for each passenger is the posted maximum passenger capacity based?625 ILCS 5/12-802
On which side of a school bus is the stop signal arm mounted?625 ILCS 5/12-803(a)
What color is the lettering on a stop signal arm?625 ILCS 5/12-801
What does a crossing control arm do, as Section 12-807.2 describes it?625 ILCS 5/12-807.2
What fire extinguisher must each school bus carry?625 ILCS 5/12-808
What lamps make up an 8-lamp flashing signal system?625 ILCS 5/12-805
What must the sign at the rear of each school bus say?625 ILCS 5/12-821
What seat belt must a school bus have for the driver, and what is the rule on using it?625 ILCS 5/12-807
What shape is the school bus stop signal arm?625 ILCS 5/12-803(a)
When may the rooftop strobe lamp of a school bus be lighted?625 ILCS 5/12-815
When must the amber 3 bar clearance light on the front of a Type I school bus be lit?625 ILCS 5/12-811
Where is each amber lamp of the 8-lamp system mounted in relation to a red lamp?625 ILCS 5/12-805
Where must the first aid kit of a school bus be mounted?625 ILCS 5/12-809
Phones and the end-of-route check 9
A school bus breaks down with pupils on board. May the driver use a cell phone to call for assistance?625 ILCS 5/12-813.1
Before leaving the bus at the end of each route, work shift or work day, what must the driver do?625 ILCS 5/12-816
In Section 12-813.1, what does it mean to "operate" a school bus?625 ILCS 5/12-813.1
What does the driver switch on before the end-of-route check, to help see in and under the seats?625 ILCS 5/12-816
What is the aim of the policy required by Section 12-816?625 ILCS 5/12-816
What is the fine for a school bus driver who violates the cell phone rule?625 ILCS 5/12-813.1
What is the general rule on a school bus driver using a cell phone?625 ILCS 5/12-813.1
What must the driver test before the bus is operated, under the inspection policy of Section 12-816?625 ILCS 5/12-816
Which call may a school bus driver make while operating the bus?625 ILCS 5/12-813.1
The permit road test 8
How are errors scored on the road test?92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85(g)
How many points is an applicant for a First Division school bus permit allowed on the road test?92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85(g)
How many points is an applicant for a Second Division school bus permit allowed on the road test?92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85(g)
In which vehicle must the permit road test be completed?92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85(e)
What does "curb bus" mean on the permit road test?92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85(e)
What does the railroad crossing part of the permit road test consist of?92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85(e)
Which act results in immediate disqualification on the road test?92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85(h)
Which of these is part of the road test for a school bus driver permit?92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85(e)
How this list was compiled: Every question rests on one section of Illinois law, read on 2026-09-30 on the General Assembly's site and named in the question's own source line. Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5, at https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K<section>.htm : sections 6-106.1 (as printed from P.A. 104-256, effective 7-1-26; the second printed version, P.A. 104-260, differs only in the opening sentence of subsection (a), in an exception to item 4 for holders of another state's commercial license with school bus and passenger endorsements, and in subsection (l), and no question rests on a point where the two differ), 6-106.1a, 6-106.1b, 6-106.1c, 11-1202, 11-1414, 11-1415, 12-707, 12-801, 12-802, 12-803, 12-805, 12-806, 12-807, 12-807.2, 12-808, 12-809, 12-811, 12-813.1, 12-815, 12-815.1, 12-816 and 12-821. Secretary of State rule 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85, at https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/092/092010300000850R.html , whose source note reads "Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 9349, effective July 1, 2026". Licence: Own work. Every question, every wrong choice and every explanation was written for this site from the text of the statute or rule it cites. Short quoted phrases are from Illinois statutes and rules, which are public law. Nothing is taken from the Illinois school bus driver training curriculum, a driver manual, a prep company or another practice test.
How it works
This unofficial Illinois school bus permit practice test asks 97 questions on the permit law: who may hold it, the stop arm and lamps, railroad crossings, equipment and the road test. Each names its section of Illinois law, read September 30, 2026.
Read the full guide
What the permit's written test covers
Section 6-106.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code sets a written test, given by the Secretary of State, on school bus operation, school bus safety and special traffic laws relating to school buses. This page shows no question count or pass mark, because the statute gives none. The driver of a bus that needs a commercial license also takes the federal passenger and school bus endorsement tests (49 CFR 383.93).
A school bus practice test Illinois drivers can check
Use the Start from menu under the question to take one subject at a time. After each answer the page shows the rule and a link to the section on the General Assembly's site. Exam mode draws 25 questions, a length of this site's choosing.
Amber lamps flash for the last 100 feet before an urban stop, 200 feet elsewhere. Red lamps and stop arm wait for a complete stop.
At a railroad crossing, stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail, turn off fans and radios, and open the door and your window.
Wrong answers go to Missed until you answer them right.
Questions and answers
Is this the real Illinois school bus permit test?
No. It is unofficial practice written from the statutes, not from the Secretary of State's test, so none of these is a real test question. The Secretary of State did not write or review it.
How old must an Illinois school bus driver be?
At least 21. Section 6-106.1 also asks for a license free of suspension, revocation or cancellation for 3 years, a medical examination with drug tests, a classroom course that includes first aid, and a refresher course every year.
What is on the road test for the permit?
92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85 lists use of gears, a railroad crossing stop and observation, curbing the bus to simulate loading, the stop arm and the flasher lights. A Second Division applicant is allowed 40 points, a First Division applicant 36.
Does this page cover first aid or the training course?
No. The classroom course and its first aid content are taught from the state's own curriculum, which this page does not use. Every question here comes from the Illinois Vehicle Code or the road test rule.