IN
This page covers language access for the Illinois written knowledge test. Road-test language and examiner-command rules are covered separately in the Illinois road-test language guide.
Written-test language access, an oral examination or interpreter when needed, and assistance for applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing are separate forms of support. Ask the facility which option applies before test day.
The Illinois Automated Testing System offers the permit test in six languages on touchscreen kiosks at any Driver Services facility. Select your language at the start of the session.
The test has 35 questions total: 15 traffic sign questions and 20 traffic law questions. Passing requires 80% overall (28 correct answers). Arrive at facilities like Chicago North (5401 N. Elston Ave.) before 3:00 PM. Lines for multilingual kiosks can run over an hour and late arrivals risk being turned away at capacity.
Yes. Illinois rules allow the written examination to be given orally to an applicant who is illiterate. Ask the facility about the available oral-testing arrangement before your visit. See 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.80.
Not necessarily. Illinois law allows the written or verbal examination in languages other than English, but it specifically excludes English wording that appears on facsimiles of road signs. You still need to recognize the signs as they appear on Illinois roads. See 625 ILCS 5/6-109.
If your language is not on the kiosk, bring your own interpreter: but family members are prohibited, and the interpreter may only read questions and answers verbatim. Any explanation, definition, or gesture triggers automatic failure and a 30-day retest ban.
One Naperville applicant brought their cousin to interpret for the Arabic permit test. Staff denied the cousin due to the family relationship, forcing a reschedule and a two-week delay to find a non-relative interpreter. Call your facility at least 48 hours ahead to confirm interpreter-led test availability: smaller locations like Springfield SOS at 2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy often process interpreter tests only during specific morning hours.
An audio-assisted test with headphones is available in English and Spanish only. Audio is not available in Polish, Chinese, Korean, or Russian: use on-screen text for those languages.
A Polish speaker at the Joliet facility reported one question about right-of-way used uncommon phrasing. They had to guess without help: showing why thorough study in your test language matters before you sit down. For American Sign Language (ASL), Illinois accommodates through live interpreters you bring; no video test option exists.
Use the current Illinois Rules of the Road in the language available to you and practice the same sign and traffic-law concepts tested on the exam. For detailed road-sign study, use the Illinois road-sign question guide; for a full study plan, use the practice-test guide.
| Support type | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Written language option | Whether your preferred written-test language is available at the facility |
| Oral/interpreter assistance | Whether an oral exam or interpreter arrangement is available for your situation |
| Deaf/hard-of-hearing assistance | Which accessibility arrangement the facility can provide |
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