Statutes > Illinois Statutes > CHAPTER 625 VEHICLES > 625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code. > Article VI - Miscellaneous Requirements

Article VI - Miscellaneous Requirements


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

    (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 (Repealed).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 Repealed by P.A. 90‑89, eff. 1‑1‑98.)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) (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 Act 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 paragraph (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. 89‑345, eff. 1‑1‑96; 89‑687, eff. 6‑1‑97; 90‑347, eff. 1‑1‑98; 90‑655, eff. 7‑30‑98.)

    (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 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. 93‑80, eff. 7‑2‑03.)

    (625 ILCS 5/12‑601.2)
    Sec. 12‑601.2. Traffic control signal preemption devices; ambulances.
    (a) In a county with a population of 2,000,000 or more, subject to appropriation, any ambulance owned or operated by a municipality with a population of less than 500,000 must be equipped with a traffic control signal preemption device as defined in Section 12‑601.1 of this Code, if any route used by that ambulance includes any roadway that is equipped with traffic control signal preemption technology.
    (b) In counties with a population of less than 2,000,000, subject to appropriation, any ambulance owned or operated by a municipality with a population of more than 50,000 must be equipped with a traffic control signal preemption device as defined in Section 12‑601.1 of this Code, if any route used by that ambulance includes any roadway that is equipped with traffic control signal preemption technology.
    (c) The Traffic Control Signal Preemption Devices for Ambulances Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The Traffic Control Signal Preemption Devices for Ambulances Fund may receive private gifts and contributions. All moneys in the Traffic Control Signal Preemption Devices for Ambulances Fund shall, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Secretary, be paid as grants to municipalities subject to the requirements of this Section for the purpose of equipping their ambulances with traffic control signal preemption devices. The moneys in the Fund may not be used for any other purpose.
(Source: P.A. 94‑373, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

    (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)
    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) (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)(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 front seat passenger of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt; except that, a child less than 8 years of age shall be protected as required pursuant to the Child Passenger Protection Act. Each driver under the age of 18 years and each of the driver's passengers under the age of 19 years of a motor vehicle operated on a street or highway in this State shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt. Every passenger under the age of 19 in a vehicle being driven by a person over the age of 18 who committed an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles or any violation of this Section or Section 6‑107 of this Code within 6 months prior to the driver's 18th birthday and was subsequently convicted of the violation, shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt, until such time as a period of 6 consecutive months has elapsed without the driver receiving an additional violation and subsequent conviction of an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles or any violation of this Section or Section 6‑107 of this Code. 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.
    (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.
    (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. 95‑310, eff. 1‑1‑08; 95‑331, eff. 8‑21‑07; 96‑554, eff. 1‑1‑10.)

    (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)
    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.
    (b) This Section does not apply to the following equipment when installed in a vehicle:
        (1) a vehicle information display;
        (2) a global positioning display;
        (3) a mapping 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) 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.
(Source: P.A. 94‑185, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

    (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) (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) (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) (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 Act 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. 92‑574, eff. 6‑26‑02.)

    (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) (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) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑608)
    Sec. 12‑608. Bumpers.