Checked against official Illinois sources on Oct 7, 2026
Illinois CDL practice test
Every state needs at least 80% on each CDL written test, and Illinois follows the same federal rule. Below are the fees, ages and rules we checked against the official Illinois source, and a free practice test.
FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.
Illinois CDL facts
| What | What Illinois says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CLP fee (adding a CLP to an Illinois non-CDL license, or renewing an original CLP) | $50 | Official page |
| CLP fee (current CDL holder upgrading class or adding an endorsement) | $5 | Official page |
| CDL renewal or transfer from another state | $60. It is $50 for age 69 and older. | Official page |
| Fee to upgrade a CDL class or add or remove an endorsement or restriction | $5 | Official page |
| CLP validity | One year. An original CLP expires one year from the date it is first issued. | Official page |
| CLP re-issue after one year | You must pass all required written, knowledge, skills and drive tests again and pay the fee. | Official page |
| Wait after getting a CLP before the skills test | 14 calendar days from the CLP issue date. You can book ahead, but you cannot pick a test date inside the 14 days. | Official page |
| New wait after a corrected CLP | Adding or removing an endorsement or restriction on your CLP starts a new 14 day wait. | Official page |
| Attempts per fee | 3 attempts at each required test per fee paid | Official page |
| Retest wait after 3 failed tries of the same test | 30 days from the date of the third failed test | Official page |
| Retest wait after 6 failed tries of the same test | 90 days | Official page |
| Retest wait after 9 failed tries of the same test | One year from the date of the last failed test | Official page |
| Retest fee | You pay a fee again after each waiting period to keep testing. | Official page |
| Road test failed 6 times | You must give Illinois a medical report from a medical specialist before a seventh road test. | Official page |
| Minimum age, inside Illinois only | 18 for a CDL or CLP | Official page |
| Minimum age, interstate or carrying passengers | 21 | Official page |
| Minimum age, School Bus endorsement (S) | 21 or older | Official page |
| Online knowledge testing | No. Knowledge tests are taken on a computer at a Secretary of State facility. | Official page |
Fees and rules change. Confirm on the official Illinois CDL page before you go. Read the official Illinois CDL manual.
CDL test formats
We show the national defaults for question counts and time limits. Check the official Illinois manual for anything that differs.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 | 40 (80%) | About 60 minutes |
| Air Brakes | 25 | 20 (80%) | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Combination Vehicles | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Hazardous Materials | 30 | 24 (80%) | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Tanker | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Passenger | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| School Bus | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | About 25 minutes |
| Doubles/Triples | 20 | 16 (80%) | About 20 minutes |
Practice any of them: all CDL practice tests.