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Illinois Compiled Statutes

Information maintained by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Updating the database of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is an ongoing process. Recent laws may not yet be included in the ILCS database, but they are found on this site as Public Acts soon after they become law. For information concerning the relationship between statutes and Public Acts, refer to the Guide.

Because the statute database is maintained primarily for legislative drafting purposes, statutory changes are sometimes included in the statute database before they take effect. If the source note at the end of a Section of the statutes includes a Public Act that has not yet taken effect, the version of the law that is currently in effect may have already been removed from the database and you should refer to that Public Act to see the changes made to the current law.

VEHICLES
(625 ILCS 5/) Illinois Vehicle Code.

625 ILCS 5/12-403

    (625 ILCS 5/12-403) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-403)
    Sec. 12-403. Sale or lease of retreaded or "recapped" pneumatic tire. No person or organization shall sell or lease or offer for sale or lease, for use on a highway, any pneumatic tire produced or rebuilt by a process in which tread material is attached to a used tire, unless the tire, tread material, labelling and certification, before and after processing, conform to Part 571.117 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(Source: P.A. 83-213.)

625 ILCS 5/12-404

    (625 ILCS 5/12-404) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-404)
    Sec. 12-404. Sale or lease of pneumatic tire without marking. No person or organization shall sell or lease or offer for sale or lease, for use on a highway, any pneumatic tire that does not bear the special marking required by this Section.
    (a) Regrooved or siped tire. In addition to the identification, labelling and certification required under Section 12-402, either the word "regrooved" or the word "siped" shall be branded on each side of a pneumatic tire on which the tread is either regrooved or siped, as the case may be. In the case of a tire that is both regrooved and siped, the word "regrooved" alone on each side shall suffice, although both words may appear on each side. Each branding shall be conspicuous but shall be sized, located and applied so as not to weaken or damage the tire or otherwise degrade the performance of the tire or shorten its useful life.
    (b) Retreaded tire. In addition to the labelling, identification, certification and other marking required under Section 12-403, the word "retreaded" shall be branded or molded into or onto each side of a pneumatic tire that has been retreaded or "recapped". Each molding or branding shall be conspicuous but shall be sized, located and applied so as not to weaken or damage the tire or otherwise degrade the performance of the tire or shorten its useful life.
    (c) New tire. The labelling, identification, certification and other marking required by Part 571.109 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall appear on each new pneumatic tire intended for use on a passenger car other than a multipurpose passenger vehicle. The labelling, identification, certification and other marking required by Part 571.119 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall appear on each new pneumatic tire intended for use on either a multipurpose passenger vehicle or other type of vehicle that is not a passenger car.
(Source: P.A. 83-213.)

625 ILCS 5/12-405

    (625 ILCS 5/12-405) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-405)
    Sec. 12-405. Operating condition of pneumatic tires. (a) Definition. The term "spare tire" as used in this Section 12-405 means any new, used or specially constructed tire that is either carried or installed for short term emergency use.
    (b) Promulgated Rules. The Department shall promulgate rules concerning unsafe operating conditions of pneumatic tires. The rules shall be enforced by police officers by visual inspection of tires, including visual comparison with simple measuring scales or gauges. The rules shall include precepts and standards for determining unsafe conditions, including the determination of an effective depth of tread groove, and shall be based upon, to the extent that it is reasonable and practical, all provisions set forth in paragraph (d) of this Section.
    (c) Use of Unsafe Tire. 1. No person or organization shall place, drive or move, or cause or allow to be placed, driven or moved, on a highway of this State, any vehicle equipped with one or more pneumatic tires deemed to be unsafe under a provision of paragraph (d) of this Section or a rule promulgated under paragraph (b) of this Section.
    2. Exemptions. Any restriction stated in this paragraph (c) shall not apply:
    (i) To a tire on a damaged, disabled, abandoned, or other unsafe or unwanted vehicle being legally towed, pushed or otherwise transferred to a repair, relocation, storage, salvage, junking, or other collection site;
    (ii) To a tire on a racing or other competitive vehicle being legally moved or transported, not under its own power, to a lawful competition site or to a bona fide testing site; or
    (iii) To a spare tire either carried or in short term emergency use for only such distance or time as is reasonably necessary to accomplish the repair or replacement of the damaged or unsafe tire for which the spare was substituted.
    (d) Criteria for Unsafe Pneumatic Tires. A pneumatic tire shall be deemed to be unsafe if it has:
    1. Any part of a ply or cord exposed;
    2. A tread or sidewall crack, cut, snag, or other surface interruption deep enough to expose a ply or cord;
    3. Any bulge, knot, or separation;
    4. Tread wear indicators flush with the tread outer surface in any 2 or more adjacent tread grooves at 3 locations approximately equally spaced around the circumference of the tire;
    5. A depth of tread groove less than 2/32 of an inch or less than 1/32 of an inch if on a motorcycle or truckster, measured in any 2 or more adjacent tread grooves at 3 locations approximately equally spaced around the circumference of the tire, at least one of which, in the judgment of the inspecting officer, is a location at which the tread is thinnest, provided that any measurement over a tie bar, tread wear indicator, hump or fillet is excluded;
    6. A depth of tread groove less than 4/32 of an inch at any one location and the tire is mounted on the front wheel of a motor vehicle subject to the provisions of Chapter 18B of this Code, provided that any measurement over a tie bar, tread wear indicator, hump or fillet is excluded;
    7. A marking which indicates that the tire is not intended for use on a public highway;
    8. Been regrooved or recut below the bottom of an original tread groove, except in the case of a special "regroovable" tire that was manufactured or retreaded with thick undertread, identified and regrooved in compliance with the applicable federal standard in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and in compliance with each applicable Section of this Code; or
    9. Other condition, marking or lack of marking that may be reasonably demonstrated to identify the tire as unsuitable for highway use, including inflation, load, speed or installation condition seriously incompatible with the tire size, construction, or other pertinent marking or feature.
    (e) Sale, Lease or Installation of Pneumatic Tires. 1. No person or organization shall sell, lease, or offer for sale or lease, or mount, install, or cause or allow to be mounted or installed, for use on a highway, any pneumatic tire deemed to be unsafe under paragraph (d) of this Section or under a rule promulgated under paragraph (b) of this Section. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this Section, any person or organization offering a vehicle for sale or lease shall, prior to its being placed, driven or moved on a highway, correct any unsafe tire condition.
    2. No person or organization shall sell, lease, or offer for sale or lease, for highway use, any pneumatic tire, or any vehicle equipped with a pneumatic tire, which has a depth of tread groove less than 3/32 of an inch; except a pneumatic tire on a motorcycle or truckster may have a depth of tire groove of not less than 2/32 of an inch. Groove depth shall not be measured where a tie bar, tread wear indicator, hump or fillet is located.
    (f)  Compliance and Enforcement. Any police officer, upon reasonable cause to believe that a person or organization has acted or is acting in violation of any provision of this Section, shall require the driver, owner, or other appropriate custodian to submit the tire or tires to an inspection. When so required, the owner or other appropriate custodian shall allow the tire inspection and the driver of a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall stop at a designated location and allow the tire or tires to be inspected or shall move the vehicle or combination to a location that is reasonably convenient and is suitable for such inspection.
(Source: P.A. 83-213.)

625 ILCS 5/12-407

    (625 ILCS 5/12-407) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-407)
    Sec. 12-407. Rules and regulations. The Department may promulgate rules and regulations to clarify or specify the requirements of this Article IV.
(Source: P.A. 83-213.)

625 ILCS 5/Ch. 12 Art. V

 
    (625 ILCS 5/Ch. 12 Art. V heading)
ARTICLE V. GLASS, WINDSHIELDS AND MIRRORS

625 ILCS 5/12-500

    (625 ILCS 5/12-500) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-500)
    Sec. 12-500. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 77-37. Repealed by P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

625 ILCS 5/12-501

    (625 ILCS 5/12-501) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-501)
    Sec. 12-501. Windshields and safety glazing material in motor vehicles.
    (a) Every motor vehicle operated upon the highways of this State shall be equipped with a front windshield which complies with those standards as established pursuant to this Section and Section 12-503 of this Code. This subsection shall not apply to motor vehicles designed and used exclusively for off-highway use, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, motorized pedalcycles, nor to motor vehicles registered as antique vehicles, expanded-use antique vehicles, custom vehicles, or street rods when the original design of such vehicles did not include front windshields.
    (b) No person shall knowingly sell any 1936 or later model motor vehicle unless such vehicle is equipped with safety glazing material conforming to specifications prescribed by the Department wherever glazing material is used in doors, windows and windshields. Regulations promulgated by the Department specifying standards for safety glazing material on windshields shall, as a minimum, conform with those applicable Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards (49 CFR 571.205). These provisions apply to all motor vehicles of the first and second division but with respect to trucks, including truck tractors, the requirements as to safety glazing material apply to all glazing material used in doors, windows and windshields in the drivers' compartments of such vehicles.
    (c) It is unlawful for the owner or any other person knowingly to install or cause to be installed in any motor vehicle any glazing material other than safety glazing material conforming to the specifications prescribed by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 97-412, eff. 1-1-12.)

625 ILCS 5/12-502

    (625 ILCS 5/12-502) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-502)
    Sec. 12-502. Mirrors. Every motor vehicle, operated singly or when towing another vehicle, shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such motor vehicle.
(Source: P.A. 82-122.)

625 ILCS 5/12-503

    (625 ILCS 5/12-503) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-503)
    Sec. 12-503. Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers.
    (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any sign, poster, window application, reflective material, nonreflective material, or tinted film upon the front windshield, except that a nonreflective tinted film may be used along the uppermost portion of the windshield if such material does not extend more than 6 inches down from the top of the windshield.
    (a-3) No new or used motor vehicle dealer shall permit a driver to drive a motor vehicle offered for sale or lease off the premises where the motor vehicle is being offered for sale or lease, including when the driver is test driving the vehicle, with signs, decals, paperwork, or other material on the front windshield or on the windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver that would obstruct the driver's view in violation of subsection (a) of this Section. For purposes of this subsection (a-3), "test driving" means when a driver, with permission of the new or used vehicle dealer or employee of the new or used vehicle dealer, drives a vehicle owned and held for sale or lease by a new or used vehicle dealer that the driver is considering to purchase or lease.
    (a-5) No window treatment or tinting shall be applied to the windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver, except:
        (1) On vehicles where none of the windows to the
    
rear of the driver's seat are treated in a manner that allows less than 30% light transmittance, a nonreflective tinted film that allows at least 50% light transmittance, with a 5% variance observed by any law enforcement official metering the light transmittance, may be used on the vehicle windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver.
        (2) On vehicles where none of the windows to the
    
rear of the driver's seat are treated in a manner that allows less than 35% light transmittance, a nonreflective tinted film that allows at least 35% light transmittance, with a 5% variance observed by any law enforcement official metering the light transmittance, may be used on the vehicle windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver.
        (3) (Blank).
        (4) On vehicles where a nonreflective smoked or
    
tinted glass that was originally installed by the manufacturer on the windows to the rear of the driver's seat, a nonreflective tint that allows at least 50% light transmittance, with a 5% variance observed by a law enforcement official metering the light transmittance, may be used on the vehicle windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver.
    (a-10) No person shall install or repair any material prohibited by subsection (a) of this Section.
        (1) Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a
    
person from removing or altering any material prohibited by subsection (a) to make a motor vehicle comply with the requirements of this Section.
        (2) Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a
    
person from installing window treatment for a person with a medical condition described in subsection (g) of this Section. An installer who installs window treatment for a person with a medical condition described in subsection (g) must obtain a copy of the certified statement or letter written by a physician described in subsection (g) from the person with the medical condition prior to installing the window treatment. The copy of the certified statement or letter must be kept in the installer's permanent records.
    (b) On motor vehicles where window treatment has not been applied to the windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver, the use of a perforated window screen or other decorative window application on windows to the rear of the driver's seat shall be allowed.
    (b-5) Any motor vehicle with a window to the rear of the driver's seat treated in this manner shall be equipped with a side mirror on each side of the motor vehicle which are in conformance with Section 12-502.
    (c) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any objects placed or suspended between the driver and the rear window, side wings, or side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver which materially obstructs the driver's view.
    (c-5) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any objects placed or suspended between the driver and the front windshield which materially obstruct the driver's view. No motor vehicle, or driver or passenger of such vehicle, shall be stopped or searched by any law enforcement officer solely on the basis of a violation or suspected violation of this subsection.
    (d) Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles, shall be equipped with a device, controlled by the driver, for cleaning rain, snow, moisture, or other obstructions from the windshield; and no person shall drive a motor vehicle with snow, ice, moisture, or other material on any of the windows or mirrors, which materially obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway.
    (e) No person shall drive a motor vehicle when the windshield, side, or rear windows are in such defective condition or repair as to materially impair the driver's view to the front, side, or rear. A vehicle equipped with a side mirror on each side of the vehicle which are in conformance with Section 12-502 will be deemed to be in compliance in the event the rear window of the vehicle is materially obscured.
    (f) Subsections (a), (a-5), (b), and (b-5) of this Section shall not apply to:
        (1) (Blank).
        (2) those motor vehicles properly registered in
    
another jurisdiction.
    (g) Subsections (a) and (a-5) of this Section shall not apply to window treatment, including, but not limited to, a window application, nonreflective material, or tinted film, applied or affixed to a motor vehicle for which distinctive license plates or license plate stickers have been issued pursuant to subsection (k) of Section 3-412 of this Code, and which:
        (1) is owned and operated by a person afflicted with
    
or suffering from a medical disease, including, but not limited to, systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, light sensitivity as a result of a traumatic brain injury, or albinism, which would require that person to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun; or
        (2) is used in transporting a person when the person
    
resides at the same address as the registered owner of the vehicle and the person is afflicted with or suffering from a medical disease which would require the person to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun, including, but not limited to, systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, light sensitivity as a result of a traumatic brain injury, or albinism.
        The owner must obtain a certified statement or letter
    
written by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Illinois that such person owning and operating or being transported in a motor vehicle is afflicted with or suffers from such disease, including, but not limited to, systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, light sensitivity as a result of a traumatic brain injury, or albinism. However, no exemption from the requirements of subsection (a-5) shall be granted for any condition for which protection from the direct rays of the sun can be adequately obtained by the use of sunglasses or other eye protective devices.
        Such certification must be carried in the motor
    
vehicle at all times. The certification shall be legible and shall contain the date of issuance, the name, address, and signature of the attending physician, and the name, address, and medical condition of the person requiring exemption. The information on the certificate for a window treatment must remain current and shall be renewed every 4 years by the attending physician. The owner shall also submit a copy of the certification to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State may forward notice of certification to law enforcement agencies.
    (g-5) (Blank).
    (g-7) Installers shall only install window treatment authorized by subsection (g) on motor vehicles for which distinctive plates or license plate stickers have been issued pursuant to subsection (k) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The distinctive license plates or plate sticker must be on the motor vehicle at the time of window treatment installation.
    (h) Subsection (a) of this Section shall not apply to motor vehicle stickers or other certificates issued by State or local authorities which are required to be displayed upon motor vehicle windows to evidence compliance with requirements concerning motor vehicles.
    (i) (Blank).
    (j) A person found guilty of violating subsection (a), (a-3), (a-5), (a-10), (b), (b-5), or (g-7) of this Section shall be guilty of a petty offense and fined no less than $50 nor more than $500. A second or subsequent violation of subsection (a), (a-3), (a-5), (a-10), (b), (b-5), or (g-7) of this Section shall be treated as a Class C misdemeanor and the violator fined no less than $100 nor more than $500. Any person convicted under subsection (a), (a-5), (b), or (b-5) of this Section shall be ordered to alter any nonconforming windows into compliance with this Section.
    (k) Except as provided in subsection (a-3) of this Section, nothing in this Section shall create a cause of action on behalf of a buyer against a vehicle dealer or manufacturer who sells a motor vehicle with a window which is in violation of this Section.
    (l) The Secretary of State shall provide a notice of the requirements of this Section to a new resident applying for vehicle registration in this State pursuant to Section 3-801 of this Code. The Secretary of State may comply with this subsection by posting the requirements of this Section on the Secretary of State's website.
    (m) A home rule unit may not regulate motor vehicles in a manner inconsistent with this Section. This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.
(Source: P.A. 102-111, eff. 1-1-22; 103-32, eff. 1-1-24.)

625 ILCS 5/Ch. 12 Art. VI

 
    (625 ILCS 5/Ch. 12 Art. VI heading)
ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS

625 ILCS 5/12-600

    (625 ILCS 5/12-600) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-600)
    Sec. 12-600. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 86-498. Repealed by P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

625 ILCS 5/12-601

    (625 ILCS 5/12-601) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-601)
    Sec. 12-601. Horns and warning devices.
    (a) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonable loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.
    (b) No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this Section. Any authorized emergency vehicle or organ transport vehicle as defined in Chapter 1 of this Code or a vehicle operated by a fire chief, deputy fire chief, assistant fire chief, or the Director or Coordinator of a municipal or county emergency services and disaster agency may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet, but such siren, whistle, or bell shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law in either of which events the driver of such vehicle shall sound such siren, whistle, or bell when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof.
    (c) Trackless trolley coaches, as defined by Section 1-206 of this Code, and replica trolleys, as defined by Section 1-171.04 of this Code, may be equipped with a bell or bells in lieu of a horn, and may, in addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section, use a bell or bells for the purpose of indicating arrival or departure at designated stops during the hours of scheduled operation.
(Source: P.A. 102-448, eff. 1-1-22.)

625 ILCS 5/12-601.1

    (625 ILCS 5/12-601.1)
    Sec. 12-601.1. Traffic control signal preemption devices.
    (a) As used in this Section, "traffic control signal preemption device" means any device, either mechanical or electrical, that emits a pulse of light or other signal that, when received by a detector attached to a traffic control signal, changes that traffic control signal to a green light or, if the traffic control signal is already green, extends the duration of the green light.
    (b) Except as provided in subsection (d), a traffic control signal preemption device may not be installed on a motor vehicle, may not be transported in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and may not be operated by the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle.
    Violation of this subsection (b) is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,000 in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed.
    (c) A retailer or manufacturer may not sell a traffic control signal preemption device to any person or entity for any intended use other than operation as permitted under subsection (d).
    Violation of this subsection (c) is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $5,000 for each sale of each device, in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed.
    (d) Installation of a traffic control signal preemption device is permitted on the following vehicles, and operation of the device is permitted as follows:
        (1) Police department vehicles, when responding to a
    
bona fide emergency, when used in combination with red or blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
        (2) Law enforcement vehicles of State or local
    
authorities, when responding to a bona fide emergency, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
        (3) Vehicles of local fire departments, fire
    
protection districts, and State or federal firefighting vehicles, when responding to a bona fide emergency, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
        (4) Vehicles that are designed and used exclusively
    
as ambulances or rescue vehicles, when responding to a bona fide emergency, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
        (5) Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively
    
as organ transport vehicles, when the transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant team or a representative of the organ procurement organization, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
        (6) Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
    
Agency and vehicles of the Department of Nuclear Safety, when responding to a bona fide emergency, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
        (7) Commuter buses owned by any political subdivision
    
of this State, operated either by the political subdivision or its lessee or agent, and offering short-haul for-hire regularly scheduled passenger transportation service, over regular routes with fixed schedules, within metropolitan and suburban areas, when used to extend the duration of an already green light to meet schedules.
        (8) Vehicles used for snow removal owned by any
    
political subdivision of this State, operated either by the political subdivision or its lessee or agent, when used during a snow emergency in combination with yellow or amber oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, when used to extend the duration of an already green light.
    (e) This Section does not prohibit use by motorcycles of electronic or magnetic safety devices designed to allow traffic control signal systems to recognize or detect motorcycles.
(Source: P.A. 102-842, eff. 1-1-23.)

625 ILCS 5/12-601.2

    (625 ILCS 5/12-601.2)
    Sec. 12-601.2. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 94-373, eff. 1-1-06. Repealed by P.A. 99-576, eff. 7-15-16.)

625 ILCS 5/12-602

    (625 ILCS 5/12-602) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-602)
    Sec. 12-602. Mufflers, prevention of noise.
    Every motor vehicle driven or operated upon the highways of this State shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler or exhaust system in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. No such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and such original muffler shall comply with all the requirements of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 77-37.)

625 ILCS 5/12-602.1

    (625 ILCS 5/12-602.1)
    Sec. 12-602.1. Excessive engine braking noise signs.
    (a) A county or municipality may post signs that prohibit the driver of a commercial vehicle, as defined in Section 1-111.8 of this Code, from operating or actuating any engine braking system that emits excessive noise. The Department of Transportation may erect and maintain the signs on interstate highways near weigh stations that are adjacent to residential areas or communities.
    (b) The sign shall state, "EXCESSIVE ENGINE BRAKING NOISE PROHIBITED". The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules providing for the erection and placement of these signs.
    (c) This Section does not apply to the use of an engine braking system that has an adequate sound muffling system in proper working order that prevents excessive noise.
    (d) It is a defense to this Section that the driver used an engine braking system that emits excessive noise in an emergency to avoid a collision with a person or another vehicle on the highway.
    (e) A violation of this Section is an equipment violation punishable by a fine of $75.
(Source: P.A. 96-523, eff. 1-1-10.)

625 ILCS 5/12-603

    (625 ILCS 5/12-603) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-603)
    Sec. 12-603. Seat safety belts.
    (a) No person shall sell any 1965 or later model motor vehicle of the first division unless the front seat of such motor vehicle is equipped with 2 sets of seat safety belts. Motorcycles are exempted from the provisions of this Section.
    (b) No person shall operate any 1965 or later model motor vehicle of the first division that is titled or licensed by the Secretary of State unless the front seat of such motor vehicle is equipped with 2 sets of seat safety belts.
    (b-5) No person under the age of 18 years shall operate any motor vehicle, except a motor driven cycle or motorcycle, with more than one passenger in the front seat of the motor vehicle and no more passengers in the back seats than the number of available seat safety belts, except that each driver under the age of 18 years operating a second division vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,000 pounds or less that contains only a front seat may operate the vehicle with more than one passenger in the front seat, provided that each passenger is wearing a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt.
    (c) (Blank).
    (d) The Department shall establish performance specifications for seat safety belts and for the attachment and installation thereof.
(Source: P.A. 89-120, eff. 7-7-95; 90-89, eff. 1-1-98; 90-369, eff. 1-1-98; 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

625 ILCS 5/12-603.1

    (625 ILCS 5/12-603.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-603.1)
    Sec. 12-603.1. Driver and passenger required to use safety belts, exceptions and penalty.
    (a) Each driver and passenger of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt. A child less than 8 years of age shall be protected as required pursuant to the Child Passenger Protection Act. Each driver of a motor vehicle transporting a child 8 years of age or more, but less than 16 years of age, shall secure the child in a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt as required under the Child Passenger Protection Act. Each driver of a motor vehicle transporting a passenger who is unable, due to infirmity, illness, or age, to properly adjust and fasten a seat safety belt and is not exempted from wearing a seat safety belt under subsection (b) shall secure the passenger in a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt as required under this Section.
    (b) Paragraph (a) shall not apply to any of the following:
        1. A driver or passenger frequently stopping and
    
leaving the vehicle or delivering property from the vehicle, if the speed of the vehicle between stops does not exceed 15 miles per hour.
        2. A driver or passenger possessing a written
    
statement from a physician that such person is unable, for medical or physical reasons, to wear a seat safety belt.
        3. A driver or passenger possessing an official
    
certificate or license endorsement issued by the appropriate agency in another state or country indicating that the driver is unable for medical, physical, or other valid reasons to wear a seat safety belt.
        4. A driver operating a motor vehicle in reverse.
        5. A motor vehicle with a model year prior to 1965.
        6. A motorcycle or motor driven cycle.
        7. A moped.
        8. A motor vehicle which is not required to be
    
equipped with seat safety belts under federal law.
        9. A motor vehicle operated by a rural letter carrier
    
of the United States postal service while performing duties as a rural letter carrier.
        10. A driver or passenger of an authorized emergency
    
vehicle, except this exception does not apply to vehicles of the fire department; vehicles of the Office of the State Fire Marshal; or ambulances, unless the delivery of life-saving measures prohibits the use of a seat safety belt.
        11. A back seat passenger of a taxicab.
    (c) Failure to wear a seat safety belt in violation of this Section shall not be considered evidence of negligence, shall not limit the liability of an insurer, and shall not diminish any recovery for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or operation of a motor vehicle.
    (d) A violation of this Section shall be a petty offense and subject to a fine not to exceed $25.
    (e) (Blank).
    (f) A law enforcement officer may not search or inspect a motor vehicle, its contents, the driver, or a passenger solely because of a violation of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 97-16, eff. 1-1-12; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11; 98-451, eff. 8-16-13.)

625 ILCS 5/12-604

    (625 ILCS 5/12-604)
    Sec. 12-604. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 88-415. Repealed by P.A. 94-185, eff. 1-1-06.)

625 ILCS 5/12-604.1

    (625 ILCS 5/12-604.1)
    Sec. 12-604.1. Video devices.
    (a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.
    (a-5) A person commits aggravated use of a video device when he or she violates subsection (a) and in committing the violation he or she was involved in a motor vehicle crash that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability, disfigurement, or death to another and the violation was a proximate cause of the injury or death.
    (b) This Section does not apply to the following equipment, whether or not permanently installed in a vehicle:
        (1) a vehicle information display;
        (2) a global positioning display;
        (3) a mapping or navigation display;
        (4) a visual display used to enhance or supplement
    
the driver's view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle;
        (5) television-type receiving equipment used
    
exclusively for safety or traffic engineering studies; or
        (6) a television receiver, video monitor, television
    
or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection (b).
    (c) This Section does not apply to a mobile, digital terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle, a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside assistance, or to motor vehicles utilized for public transportation.
    (d) This Section does not apply to a television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal if: (i) the equipment is permanently installed in the motor vehicle; and (ii) the moving entertainment images that the equipment displays are not visible to the driver while the motor vehicle is in motion.
    (d-5) This Section does not apply to a video event recorder, as defined in Section 1-218.10 of this Code, installed in a contract carrier vehicle.
    (e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this Section, a person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined not more than $100 for a first offense, not more than $200 for a second offense within one year of a previous conviction, and not more than $250 for a third or subsequent offense within one year of 2 previous convictions.
    (f) A person convicted of violating subsection (a-5) commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another. A person convicted of violating subsection (a-5) commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death of another person.
(Source: P.A. 102-982, eff. 7-1-23.)

625 ILCS 5/12-604.3

    (625 ILCS 5/12-604.3)
    Sec. 12-604.3. Video event recorder notice. A contract carrier vehicle carrying passengers that is equipped with a video event recorder shall have a notice posted in a visible location stating that a passenger's conversation may be recorded. Any data recorded by a video event recorder shall be the sole property of the registered owner or lessee of the contract carrier vehicle.
(Source: P.A. 99-689, eff. 1-1-17.)

625 ILCS 5/12-605

    (625 ILCS 5/12-605) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-605)
    Sec. 12-605. Taxicabs-Bullet proof shields. In municipalities with 1,000,000 or more population, any taxicab manufactured, owned or operated after September 1, 1970, and regularly operated in such a municipality must have a bullet proof shield completely separating the driver's seat from the back seat.
(Source: P.A. 80-911.)

625 ILCS 5/12-605.1

    (625 ILCS 5/12-605.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-605.1)
    Sec. 12-605.1. (a) On or after two years from the effective date of this Act, no bus which was first placed in service after July 1, 1969, or which has undergone complete renovation and restoration since July 1, 1969 shall be operated as a part of any local mass transit system in this State unless the vehicle is equipped with radio facilities permitting two-way vocal communications between the bus and a local transit control office. This Section does not apply to buses used for charter service, school buses, intrastate carriers while not providing transportation services pursuant to contracts with any local mass transit system, private non-profit carriers receiving assistance under Section 16(b)2 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 as amended, carriers receiving assistance pursuant to Article III of the Downstate Public Transportation Act, or interstate carriers and buses owned by a private local mass transit system;
    (b) A local mass transit system operating a bus not in compliance with the requirements of subsection (a) shall not be in violation of that subsection, provided that the bus is brought into compliance within a reasonable time (in no event to exceed 1 week) following written notification to the mass transit system of the fact that the bus is not in compliance.
(Source: P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

625 ILCS 5/12-605.2

    (625 ILCS 5/12-605.2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-605.2)
    Sec. 12-605.2. Beginning 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1988, no person shall consume any food or drink, excluding any medicine, upon any bus operated as a part of any local mass transit system in this State. This Section does not apply to buses used for charter service, school buses, intrastate carriers while not providing transportation services pursuant to contracts with any local mass transit system, and private non-profit carriers.
    Persons found guilty of violating this Section shall be fined $100.
(Source: P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

625 ILCS 5/12-606

    (625 ILCS 5/12-606) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-606)
    Sec. 12-606. Tow trucks; identification; equipment; insurance.
    (a) Every tow truck, except those owned by governmental agencies, shall have displayed on each side thereof, a sign with letters not less than 2 inches in height, contrasting in color to that of the background, stating the full legal name, complete address (including street address and city), and telephone number of the owner or operator thereof. This information shall be permanently affixed to the sides of the tow truck.
    (b) Every tow truck shall be equipped with:
        (1) One or more brooms and shovels;
        (2) One or more trash cans of at least 5 gallon
    
capacity; and
        (3) One fire extinguisher. This extinguisher shall
    
be either:
            (i) of the dry chemical or carbon dioxide type
        
with an aggregate rating of at least 4-B, C units, and bearing the approval of a laboratory qualified by the Division of Fire Prevention for this purpose; or
            (ii) One that meets the requirements of the
        
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations of the United States Department of Transportation for fire extinguishers on commercial motor vehicles.
    (c) Every owner or operator and driver of a tow truck shall comply with Section 11-1413 of this Code and shall remove or cause to be removed all glass and debris, except any (i) hazardous substance as defined in Section 3.215 of the Environmental Protection Act, (ii) hazardous waste as defined in Section 3.220 of the Environmental Protection Act, and (iii) medical samples or waste, including but not limited to any blood samples, used syringes, other used medical supplies, or any other potentially infectious medical waste as defined in Section 3.360 of the Environmental Protection Act, deposited upon any street or highway by the disabled vehicle being serviced, and shall in addition, spread dirt or sand or oil absorbent upon that portion of any street or highway where oil or grease has been deposited by the disabled vehicle being serviced.
    (d) Every tow truck operator shall in addition file an indemnity bond, insurance policy, or other proof of insurance in a form to be prescribed by the Secretary for: garagekeepers liability insurance, in an amount no less than a combined single limit of $500,000, and truck (auto) liability insurance in an amount no less than a combined single limit of $500,000, on hook coverage or garagekeepers coverage in an amount of no less than $25,000 which shall indemnify or insure the tow truck operator for the following:
        (1) Bodily injury or damage to the property of others.
        (2) Damage to any vehicle towed by the tower.
        (3) In case of theft, loss of, or damage to any
    
vehicle stored, garagekeepers legal liability coverage in an amount of no less than $25,000.
        (4) In case of injury to or occupational illness of
    
the tow truck driver or helper, workers compensation insurance meeting the minimum requirements of the Workers' Compensation Act.
    Any such bond or policy shall be issued only by a bonding or insuring firm authorized to do business as such in the State of Illinois, and a certificate of such bond or policy shall be carried in the cab of each tow truck.
    (e) The bond or policy required in subsection (d) shall provide that the insurance carrier may cancel it by serving previous notice, as required by Sections 143.14 and 143.16 of the Illinois Insurance Code, in writing, either personally or by registered mail, upon the owner or operator of the motor vehicle and upon the Secretary of State. Whenever any such bond or policy shall be so cancelled, the Secretary of State shall mark the policy "Cancelled" and shall require such owner or operator either to furnish a new bond or policy, in accordance with this Act.
(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

625 ILCS 5/12-607

    (625 ILCS 5/12-607) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-607)
    Sec. 12-607. Suspension System.
    (a) It shall be unlawful to operate a motor vehicle on any highway of this State when the suspension system has been modified from the original manufactured design by lifting the body from the chassis in excess of 3 inches or to cause the horizontal line from the front to the rear bumper to vary over 3 inches in height when measured from a level surface of the highway to the lower edge of the bumper, except that it is unlawful to operate a street rod or custom vehicle when the suspension system has been modified from the original manufactured design so that the horizontal line from the front to the rear bumper varies over 7 inches in height when measured from a level surface of the highway to the lower edge of the bumper.
    (b) Nothing in this Section shall prevent the installation of manufactured heavy duty equipment to include shock absorbers and overload springs, nor shall anything contained in this Section prevent a person to operate a motor vehicle on any highway of this State with normal wear of the suspension system if normal wear does not affect the control or safe operation of the vehicle. This Section shall not apply to motor vehicles designed or modified primarily for off-highway racing purposes while such vehicles are in tow or to motorcycles or motor driven cycles.
(Source: P.A. 92-668, eff. 1-1-03.)

625 ILCS 5/12-607.1

    (625 ILCS 5/12-607.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-607.1)
    Sec. 12-607.1. Frame and floor height. (a) No person shall operate upon a highway a first division vehicle which has a clearance between the frame and ground in excess of 22 inches. The lowest portion of the body floor shall not be more than 4 inches above the top of the frame. No such vehicle shall be modified to cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the ground, expose the fuel tank to damage from collision or cause the wheels to come in contact with the body under normal operation.
    (b) No person shall operate upon a highway a second division vehicle which has a clearance between the frame and ground which is in excess of the limits specified within this subsection for its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) category. For the purpose of this section, GVWR means the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating whether or not the vehicle is modified by the use of parts not originally installed by the manufacturer. The stacking or attaching of vehicle frames (one frame on top of or beneath another frame) is prohibited. No portion of the body floor shall be raised above the frame.
    (1) The frame height of second division vehicles, whose GVWR is under 4,500 pounds, shall be no more than 24 inches.
    (2) The frame height of second division vehicles, whose GVWR is more than 4,500 pounds and less than 7,500 pounds, shall be no more than 26 inches.
    (3) The frame height of second division vehicles, whose GVWR is more than 7,500 pounds and less than 10,000 pounds, shall be no more than 28 inches.
    (c) Under subsections (a) or (b) of this Section, measurements shall be made when a vehicle is unladen on a level surface at the lowest point from the bottom of the original vehicle manufacturer's longitudinal frame rail between the front axle and second axle on the vehicle.
    (d) This Section does not apply to specially designed or modified motor vehicles when operated off the highways. Such motor vehicles may be transported upon the highway only by use of a trailer or semitrailer. The specially designed or modified motor vehicle may also be transported upon another vehicle, providing that the entire weight of the specifically designed or modified vehicle is resting upon the transporting vehicle.
    (e) Any violation of this Section is a Class C misdemeanor. A second conviction under this Section shall be punished with a fine of not less than $500. An officer making an arrest under this Section shall order the vehicle driver to remove the vehicle from the highway. A person convicted under this Section shall be ordered to bring his vehicle into compliance with this Section.
(Source: P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

625 ILCS 5/12-608

    (625 ILCS 5/12-608) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-608)
    Sec. 12-608. Bumpers.
    (a) It shall be unlawful to operate any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 9,000 pounds or less or any motor vehicle registered as a recreational vehicle under this Code on any highway of this State unless such motor vehicle is equipped with both a front and rear bumper.
    Except as indicated below, maximum bumper heights of such motor vehicles shall be determined by weight category of gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) measured from a level surface to the highest point of the bottom of the bumper when the vehicle is unloaded and the tires are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.
    Maximum bumper heights are as follows:
Maximum FrontMaximum Rear
Bumper heightBumper Height
All motor vehicles of the first
    division except multipurpose
    passenger vehicles:22 inches22 inches
Multipurpose passenger vehicles
and all other motor vehicles:
    4,500 lbs. and under GVWR24 inches26 inches
    4,501 lbs. through 7,500
    lbs. GVWR27 inches29 inches
    7,501 lbs. through 9,000
    lbs. GVWR28 inches30 inches
    It is unlawful to operate upon any highway of this State any vehicle with a front bumper height that exceeds 28 inches or a rear bumper height that exceeds 30 inches, regardless of the GVWR of the vehicle, except those vehicles covered by Chapter 18b of this Code.
    For any vehicle with bumpers or attaching components which have been modified or altered from the original manufacturer's design in order to conform with the maximum bumper requirements of this section, the bumper height shall be measured from a level surface to the bottom of the vehicle frame rail at the most forward and rearward points of the frame rail. The bumper on any vehicle so modified or altered shall be at least 4.5 inches in vertical height and extend no less than the width of the respective wheel tracks outermost distance.
    However, nothing in this Section shall prevent the installation of bumper guards.
    (b) This Section shall not apply to street rods, custom vehicles, motor vehicles designed or modified primarily for off-highway purposes while such vehicles are in tow or to motorcycles or motor driven cycles, nor to motor vehicles registered as antique vehicles or expanded-use antique vehicles when the original design of such antique vehicles or expanded-use antique vehicles did not include bumpers. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any motor vehicle driven during the first 1000 recorded miles of that vehicle, when such vehicle is owned or operated by a manufacturer, dealer or transporter displaying a special plate or plates as described in Chapter 3 of this Code while such vehicle is (1) being delivered from the manufacturing or assembly plant directly to the purchasing dealer or distributor, or from one dealership or distributor to another; (2) being moved by the most direct route from one location to another for the purpose of installing special bodies or equipment; or (3) being driven for purposes of demonstration by a prospective buyer with the dealer or his agent present in the cab of the vehicle during the demonstration.
    The dealer shall, prior to the receipt of any deposit made or any contract signed by the buyer to secure the purchase of a vehicle, inform such buyer, by written statement signed by the purchaser to indicate acknowledgement of the contents thereof, of the legal requirements of this Section regarding front and rear bumpers if such vehicle is not to be equipped with bumpers at the time of delivery.
    (c) Any violation of this Section is a Class C misdemeanor. A second conviction under this Section shall be punishable with a fine of not less than $500. An officer making an arrest under this Section shall order the vehicle driver to remove the vehicle from the highway. A person convicted under this Section shall be ordered to bring his vehicle into compliance with this Section.
(Source: P.A. 97-412, eff. 1-1-12.)