Learn About Driving in Illinois at Bob Brady Hyundai

Whether you’ve just moved to the lovely state of Illinois or you recently passed the driving exam to get your Illinois driver’s license, you’ll find these driving tips useful.

Basic Rules of The Road

Before you can start learning to drive on Illinois roadways, you need to be 15 years old, possess a learner’s permit, and have a licensed adult along for the ride. Once you’re ready, you can apply for a full license at 18. Make sure you visit us at Bob Brady Hyundai to find your first car, then adhere to the rules of the road to stay safe behind the wheel.

1. When you approach an intersection in Illinois, the driver on the left side of the road always gives the right of way to the driver on the right.
2. If you’re driving in a business or residential area, you must turn on your signal at least 100 feet before turning. If you’re driving in any other area, you must turn on your signal at least 200 feet before turning.
3. Every vehicle on the road is required to have two working headlights, which must be used during nighttime driving hours. You should also use your headlights when you’re driving in rain, snow, or mountainous regions.
4. Cell phone use is absolutely prohibited for drivers under the age of 19. Drivers aged 19 and above can use hands-free kits or voice control to make phone calls, send SMS messages, or use other mobile devices.
5. All drivers must adhere to the speed limits set by the state, city, or county. Speed limits will vary by region, but as a general rule of thumb, use the limits listed below

How To Use Toll Roads in Illinois

The state of Illinois has a total of five toll roads – Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Veterans Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Tri-state Tollway, and Illinois Route 390 Tollway. Before you embark on a trip, make sure you know which toll roads you’ll need to access and that you know the toll amount for your vehicle type. As of this writing (May 2024), tolls in Illinois can be paid in three ways:

1. I-PASS or E-ZPass Transponder—This payment method is the most convenient way to pay tolls in Illinois. The transponder is mounted on your windshield and automatically bills you whenever you pass through a toll booth.
2. Pay By Plate—This method is for drivers without a transponder. It allows you to enter your license plate number and the date of travel to pay your toll online within 14 days.
3. Cash or Card at Toll Booth – Some, but not all, toll booths still accept cash or card payments. Unmanned toll booths will likely require a card rather than cash and may have a higher toll rate.

What to Keep in Your Vehicle

If you’ve just purchased a new vehicle, make sure you have these essential items in your vehicle.

• Basic Spare Parts (tire, fuses, bulbs)
• Emergency Tools – jumper cables, gas can, roadside flares, flashlight, and first aid kit
• Replacement fluids – oil, antifreeze, washer fluid
• Communication – Mobile device charger

Gas and Charging Stations in Illinois

Illinois is the 25th largest state in the U.S., and, for most vehicles, it requires a full tank of gas or a fully charged battery to get from one side to the other. Like most places, gas stations are located throughout the state and are usually positioned conveniently near highway entrances and exits. If you’ve opted for an electrified vehicle, you’ll be happy to know that the state of Illinois has more than 1,000 charging stations. If you’re considering switching to an electric vehicle, Hyundai has a variety of electrified models for sale at Bob Brady Hyundai.