CHAPTER 12: Equipment For Safe Driving

Motorists can be safe drivers only when their vehicles are properly equipped and in good working order. No one can legally drive any vehicle that may be a hazard to any person or property.

Required Equipment  |   Restricted Equipment

Required Equipment

Your motor vehicle must have the following working equipment:

Brakes
Your vehicle must have two brake systems and brakes on all wheels. The foot brake must be strong enough to stop a vehicle traveling at a speed of 20 mph in 30 feet The emergency or parking brake must be strong enough to stop the vehicle in 55 feet at the same speed. The emergency brake also must be able to hold the vehicle on a grade or hill.

Some vehicles have special rules. Motor-driven cycles only need one brake. Vehicles with three or more axles may have a front axle with brakes. Antique vehicles more than 25 years old must keep the same type of brakes originally installed; however, when they are driven on a highway, they must have brakes on at least two wheels.

Lights

• Headlights–Motor vehicles must have two headlights. Headlights must be lighted from sunset to sunrise. State law also requires headlights to be used in times when rain, snow, fog or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers. They should also be used when objects 1,000 feet away cannot be seen. Bright lights must be dimmed 500 feet before meeting an oncoming vehicle or 300 feet before passing a vehicle. Motorcycles and mopeds require only one head light, which must show objects 500 feet ahead. A motorcycle headlight must be lighted whenever the vehicle is driven.
• Taillights–All vehicles require two red lights visible for 500 feet from behind. Only one taillight is needed for mopeds and motorcycles.
• Turn Signals–Vehicles, except motorcycles, trailers and semitrailers, must have right and left turn signals on the front and rear. Signals must be seen from 300 feet.
• Stop Lights–Vehicles must have at least one red or amber stop light visible for 500 feet from behind in normal sunlight.
• License Plate Light–Vehicles must have a white light making the license plate readable from 50 feet away. The light must be on whenever headlights are lighted.
• Parking Lights–Front and rear parking lights are required for any vehicle stopped on a highway at night. Some local communities may allow unlighted night parking on streets.

Safety Belts
Passenger cars must have two sets of safety belts in the front seat. Without these belts, 1965 or later models may not be sold in Illinois. Also, 1965 or later models licensed in Illinois may not be driven without safety belts.

Mirrors
You must have one rearview mirror so you are able to see at least 200 feet behind your car.

Windows
All window glass must be approved safety glass. The windshield must be free of snow, ice, moisture and any defects that can distort vision. All glass also must be free of obstructions between the driver and front or rear windows. Vehicles are not allowed to have tinted windows on the front windshield or front side windows, unless the driver has a medical exception certified by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Illinois. A six-inch strip of tinting is allowed along the entire length at the top of the front windshield.

Wipers
Wipers must operate properly to clear the windshield of ice, snow and moisture.

Horn
You must have a horn that can be heard from a distance of 200 feet. Sirens, whistles and bells are allowed only on authorized emergency vehicles.

Muffler
A muffler must be on the exhaust system to prevent excessive noise and smoke. This also includes turbine wheels used in the exhaust system of a diesel engine. Cutouts, bypasses and changes to the system to increase noise are illegal.

Bumpers
Vehicles weighing 9,000 lbs. or less and all recreational vehicles must have a front and rear bumper. It is illegal to alter the suspension system of a vehicle to lift the body from the chassis frame in excess of three inches. Also, a driver must not cause the horizontal line from the front to the rear to vary over three inches.

Back to Top

Restricted Equipment

Your motor vehicle may not have the following equipment:

Projecting Loads
Loads extending four feet or more to the rear of a vehicle must be marked with a red flag during the day. At night or when visibility is poor, the vehicle must have a red light visible for 500 feet.

Lights

• Back-up lights: Vehicles may have one or more backup lights. However, they may not be lighted when the vehicle is moving forward.
• Spotlights: Only one spotlight is allowed. When approaching another vehicle, it must be directed neither to the left nor more than 100 feet ahead. Your vehicle may not have more than four 300 candlepower lights burning.
• Flashing or moving lights: Flashing or moving lights other than turn signals or hazard indicators are prohibited. This does not apply to police or emergency vehicles.
• Red lights: Red lights visible from the front are prohibited. This does not apply to police or emergency vehicles.
• Running board lights: These are limited to one on each side, which must be nonglare white or amber lights.
• Cowl or fender lamps: Only two lights are allowed, which must be nonglare, white or amber lights.

Studded Tires
Pneumatic tires with metal studs are unlawful except for:

• vehicles used by mail carriers in rural areas between November 15 and April 1.
• vehicles displaying Persons with Disabilities or Disabled Veteran plates between November 15 and April 1. These owners must live on a county or township road in an unincorporated area.
• agricultural tractors or traction engines.
• agricultural machinery, including wagons, being used for agricultural towing purposes.
• road-building machinery operated at a speed of less than 10 mph.

Televisions
No motor vehicle may have a television set that can be seen from the driver’s seat.

Antique Vehicles
Special rules for lamps, brakes, stop lights and turn signals apply to vehicles more than 25 years old. For more information, contact the Secretary of State’s office at 800-252-8980.

Radar Detectors
Possession and use of radar jamming devices is prohibited in all vehicles. Possession of radar detectors is prohibited in commercial vehicles.

Back to Top

This edition of the Illinois Rules of the Road is as accurate as possible at the time of publication. The manual gives drivers information on obtaining a driver’s license, driver’s license laws, traffic safety issues and general information regarding Illinois traffic laws and ordinances. The language of the Illinois Compiled Statutes is condensed and paraphrased and does not cover every law or explain every possible situation that motorists may face while operating a motor vehicle. The manual also provides highway safety information not in the law. It is intended as a tool for drivers and should not be cited as a legal authority in court.