Failed the Illinois permit test: when you can retake it
Failing the written test is common and fixable. Here is what Illinois says about retaking it, and a plan for the next attempt.
- How soon you can retake
- second attempt may be allowed the same day
- Attempts
- fee entitles three attempts within one year
- Retest fee
- fee covers three attempts in one year
- After repeated failures
- Not stated on the official page — ask your DMV office.
From the official source
...shall entitle a person to a total of three attempts to pass the written and/or road tests within a one year period. ...may be allowed to attempt the written and/or road tests a second time after a failure in the same day...
Before your next attempt
- Write down the topics you got wrong: signs, right-of-way, speed limits, alcohol rules, distances. The retest usually draws from the same pool.
- Reread only those chapters of the official Illinois handbook, not the whole book.
- Take our Illinois practice tests until you score 90% or more three times in a row — the real pass mark is lower, so that is a safe margin.
- Use the mistake review: it shows only the questions you missed, with the handbook section for each.
- The night before, do one exam simulation and stop. Sleep beats cramming.
The real test: 35 questions, 28 correct to pass.
Practice for the retakeReview my mistakes
Checked on October 25, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the DMV.