Rules of the Road

NOTICE!

U.S. Department of Labor Hazardous Occupations Order #2

Employees age 16 and under MAY NOT drive motor vehicles on public roads as part of their jobs.

Employees age 17 may drive cars and small trucks on public roads as part of their employment, but ONLY if all the following requirements are met:

• The driving is limited to daylight hours;
• The 17-year-old holds a state license valid for the type of driving involved in the job performed;
• The 17-year-old has successfully completed a state-approved driver education course and has no record of any moving violation at the time of hire;
• The automobile or truck is equipped with safety belts for the driver and any passengers and the employer has instructed the youth that the safety belts must be used when driving the vehicle; and
• The automobile or truck does not exceed 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
• Such driving is only occasional and incidental to the 17-year-old’s employment. This means that the youth may spend no more than one-third of the work time in any workday and no more than 20 percent of the work time in any work week driving.

The driving may not involve:

• Towing vehicles
• Route deliveries or route sales
• Transportation for hire of property, goods, or passengers
• Urgent, time-sensitive deliveries (such as pizza deliveries)
• Transporting more than three passengers, including employees of the employer
• Driving beyond a 30-mile radius from the youth's place of employment
• More than two trips away from the primary place of employment in any single day to deliver the employer's goods to a customer (other than urgent, time sensitive deliveries, which are prohibited)
• More than two trips away from the primary place of employment in any single day to transport passengers, other than employees of the employer

The State of Illinois has laws that further limit driving for hire ( See laws). For more information, contact the nearest Wage and Hour District Office.

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.