Illinois Driving & Vehicles Laws (2026)
A comprehensive legal reference for driving & vehicles in the state of Illinois. This guide covers current statutes, penalties, and restrictions for 8 different categories.
Driving Barefoot
LEGALIllinois does not have any laws forbidding driving barefoot. The Illinois Vehicle Code does not mention footwear requirements for drivers.
State Law
None
Practical Considerations
None
Penalties
N/A
Lane Splitting (Motorcycles)
ILLEGALIllinois does not permit lane splitting. 625 ILCS 5/11-709 prohibits motorcycles from riding between lanes of traffic except when overtaking another vehicle in the same lane.
Lane Splitting Rules
No specific rules related to lane splitting possession.
Lane Filtering Rules
No specific rules related to lane splitting sale or purchase.
Penalties
Violations can result in fines and points on the motorcycle operator's driving record.
License Requirements
None
License Plate Covers
ILLEGALIllinois law prohibits the possession, sale, and use of any license plate covers. Enforcement is strict, and violations can result in fines.
Usage Rules
Illegal — all covers prohibited
Purchase & Sale
Illegal to sell any license plate covers
Penalties
Petty offense with fines up to $1,000; citations issued for any cover, including clear ones
Age Restriction
N/A
Radar Detectors
LEGALRadar Detectors are legal in Illinois. Illinois law does not specifically ban radar detectors, but commercial vehicles are prohibited from using them.
Passenger Vehicle Use
Legal in private passenger vehicles; illegal in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds.
Commercial Vehicle Rules
No restrictions on sale or purchase.
Penalties
N/A for private vehicles; fines for commercial vehicle violations.
Age Restriction
None
Radar Jammers
ILLEGALBoth radar jammers (federally illegal) and laser jammers are illegal in Illinois. There have been no recent legislative changes in Illinois regarding this law.
State Law
Illegal — both radar and laser jammers
Federal Law
Illegal to sell or possess
Penalties
Federal fines for radar jammers; state penalties for laser jammers including fines and equipment confiscation.
Age Restriction
N/A
Right Turn on Red
LEGALRight turn on red is legal in Illinois after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic, unless a sign prohibits it at a specific intersection. While there are no recent statewide changes, the City of Chicago continues to review and restrict right turns on red at vari...
General Rule
Legal after complete stop
Exceptions & Restrictions
N/A
Penalties
Traffic violation if sign prohibits it at specific intersection.
Driver Requirements
N/A
Studded Snow Tires
RESTRICTEDThe use of studded snow tires is generally prohibited on public roads in Illinois, with very limited exceptions for rural mail carriers and persons with disabilities in unincorporated areas.
Usage Rules
Possession allowed but use restricted
Seasonal Restrictions
Legal to sell but not for road use
Penalties
Traffic citation and fines for unauthorized use
Age Restriction
N/A
Window Tinting
RESTRICTEDIllinois restricts front side window tint to a minimum of 35% VLT, rear side and back windows may be tinted darker. Windshield tinting is only allowed above the AS-1 line. These rules are in 625 ILCS 5/12-503.1.
Tint Limits (VLT %)
Possession of a vehicle with illegal tint is allowed but the vehicle must comply with tint limits when driven.
Medical Exemptions
Sale of tint films that do not meet state standards is prohibited.
Penalties
Fines up to $150 and possible vehicle inspection failure.
Age Restriction
None