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USA

Required Equipment

Headlights

Vehicles must have two headlights and they must be on from sunset to sunrise and be used in times when rain, snow, fog or other conditions that require the use of windshield wipers. They also should 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 a headlight, which must show objects 500 feet ahead, and be on whenever the vehicle is driven.

Taillights

Vehicles must have 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 visible 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 and must be on when headlights are on.

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 vehicles must have two sets of safety belts in the front seat. Without these belts, 1965 or later models may not be sold or operated in Illinois.

Hazard lights

Hazard lights are only to be used when your vehicle is stopped on the shoulder of the road or disabled on the roadway.

Restricted Equipment

Projecting Loads

Loads extending 4 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.

Back-up lights

Vehicles may have one or more backup lights; however, they may not be on when the vehicle is moving forward.

Spotlights (only one 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, except for police or emergency vehicles.

Red lights

Red lights visible from the front are prohibited, except for police or emergency vehicles.

Running board lights

Limited to one on each side, which must be non-glare white or amber lights.

Cowl or fender lamps

Only two lights are allowed, which must be non-glare, white or amber lights.

Studded Tires

Pneumatic tires with metal studs are illegal 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 (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; or road-building machinery operated at a speed of less than 10 mph.

Televisions or Video

Televisions or video recording monitors that can be seen from the driver’s seat are prohibited while the vehicle is in motion.

Antique Vehicles

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

Radar Jamming Device

Possession and use of radar jamming devices is prohibited on all vehicles.