Crime & Traffic

The following question was originally submitted to John Roska, a lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice and writer for the weekly column "The Law Q&A" in the Champaign News Gazette. The article has been updated to include changes in the law and additional information.

Question

I got a ticket for having not having a light on my back license plate. I want to know what’s required or prohibited, and what’s considered “illegal equipment” for automobiles.

Answer

Chapter 12 of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code is devoted to “equipment.” It lists basic requirements and some prohibitions. There are specific sections on lights, brakes, tires, glass, windshields, mirrors, and miscellaneous provisions.

You can’t operate a vehicle in an unsafe way that endangers any person or property. Vehicles must be equipped with such lamps and other equipment as Chapter 12 requires.

“Lights and lamps” get the most attention. Two head lights and two tail lights are required (only 1 head light for a motorcycle). Brake turn and a rear license light are also required. But, backup lights aren’t required.

Headlights can be white yellow tinted. No more than 2 head lights can be “operating in the dimmed or dropped position.” Fog lights don’t count toward that limit. No more than 4 head lights of any kind “can be lit at any time when driving on a highway."

Two white or amber “side cowl or fender lamps,” and one running board courtesy lamp on either side are OK. Rotating or flashing lights” of any kind is illegal. This restriction does not include your signal lights. 

Brakes are required, along with “2 separate means of applying the brakes.” The law suggests that “service brakes” and “hand brakes” are the 2 separate kinds. “Service brakes” must stop a vehicle going 20 mph within 30 feet; hand brakes within 55 feet. The handbrake must hold the vehicle “stationary on any grade upon which operated.”

You are required by law to maintain these brakes in "good working order."

Tires must be rubber, or another resilient material. Tire chains of reasonable proportion are OK. 

A front windshield, mirror, and device for cleaning the windshield are required. The front windshield can’t display any signs, posters, or window applications. But, “non-reflective tinted film may be on top the part of the windshield if it does not extend more than 6 inches down. And “stickers or other certificates,” required by “State or local authorities,” are also OK.

Tinted side windows are so regulated that a brief summary isn’t possible here. The law says no window treatment or tinting shall be applied to the windows adjacent to each side of the driver. But, depending on how dark your rear windows are, side window tinting can be OK.

You are prohibited from having items suspended from your review mirror that obstruct your view. However, as of January 1, 2024, law enforcement can no longer stop or search you, your car, or your passenger solely based on having an object hanging from your rearview mirror.

Mufflers to prevent any excessive noise, front and rear bumpers, and a horn are required. Sirens are prohibited. Two sets of seat belts are required, except for motorcycles. 

Depending on a vehicle’s weight and height, its front bumper’s bottom can’t be more than 22 to 28 inches off the ground. For rear bumpers, the limits are 22 to 30 inches.

Radar jammers and secret compartments are prohibited. Video devices located next to or in front of the driver's seat, or “operating and visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle” are prohibited. GPS and other navigational displays are OK. Devices that alter traffic lights are prohibited. 

Finally, front and rear license plates are required. Anything that obscures or distorts a license plate is prohibited. 

Starting January 1, 2025, it’s against the law to drive any vehicle that has altered registration or displays any unapproved stickers, medallions, or objects.