Step 3: Road test

Once you are comfortable and are bored of driving practice you can go for the test. If you want to gain more confidence, you can ask your family friend or other experienced driver to rate your driving skills and ask for suggestions. This is useful as you may be blinded by your spouse’s positive as well negative comments.

Check Points

Stopping at the signals and Stop signs, Indicators, Lane change rules, Left and right turn, Backing up from a parking lot, Parking are some of the basic skills tested. The other resources and rules of Illinois can be found at Rules of the Road.

You will be tested to start the vehicle, back the vehicle, turn about, park uphill, start uphill, park downhill, start downhill, control the vehicle and so on. 

Acceptable Documents

Along with the passport, I-94, letter with your name and address printed, it is mandatory to have the letter from SSN office. Also, insurance card of the vehicle is mandatory.

• The validity of the proof of address, that is, a letter with your name and address printed is only one month.
• The letter from SSN office is valid for only three months or 90 days.

So, check the validity before you decide to go for road test.

Car Condition

The car you are taking for the test must be in good driving condition. Make sure all the indicators, lights, wipers and other controls are working. The tyres and seats must be clean and in good condition.

Clean the car windows, rear-view mirror, side-mirrors, rear window shield with clean cloth. Keep the dash board and the cup holder clean and cluster free.

Day of the test

I started early and drove to Rockford along with my spouse and kid. The journey was smooth though the kid got bored in the backseat. After reaching the office, here is what happened.

• As it was a week day, the office was not crowded and I was led directly to the counter
• The officer checked my documents and learner’s permit and insurance card of the vehicle
• After checking the documents, they asked me to wait until the officer arrives
• The officer was a white American. He appeared friendly and was soft spoken
• He instructed me to sit in the car and turn on the signals and break
• He checked the left signal, right signal and then the break light
• After he was seated, I  asked him to adjust the seat height and leg distance
• He instructed me to take the car through the parking lot to a small road at the back of the DMV office
• He observed whether I stopped correctly at the STOP signal and traffic signals
• The officer checked whether I was scanning the road, whether I was using the indicators properly and how I started from a STOP signal
• The officer asked me to take right and left turns in a small residential road with maximum speed limit if 30 mph
• At a downhill, I was asked to park the vehicle and immediately asked to get to the main road. Remember to switch on the parking light, when you park the vehicle at the downhill or uphill
• I was asked to take a three-point turn at an intersection
• And finally after multiple left and right turns we came back to the DMV office
• The officer suggested that I could park anywhere I like
• I waited for ongoing pedestrians and then parked opposite the DMV office
• I was really scared now as the car was in a cross position and was not parked straight
• Then, the officer turned to me, smiled and said that I ‘passed the test’

Finally, the officer instructed me to wait in the office. After a while, the counter officer called   y name to take a picture. They took the picture and a minute later handed me my licence.

I was happy to see  my face on the card in the outlined by the border of Illinois state. My spouse and kid were happy. My spouse was happy that all his training was fruitful and I had successfully completed the test. My son for having passing the test and he could go to karate classes. 🙂

What was surprising is the test is far easier than actual driving on the road. I wonder what would happen if the officer tested me on a highway or in the downtown.