625 ILCS 5/12-201 – Failure to Display Lighted Lamps (Headlights)
This law says vehicles and motorcycles must have their lights on when it’s dark, hard to see, or during bad weather.
This Illinois law explains when and how cars, trucks, and motorcycles must use their headlights and tail lights so that drivers and others can see clearly and stay safe on the road.
(a) Motorcycles must always have at least one front light that shines a white beam visible for 500 feet ahead. Instead of a steady beam, the light can flicker between bright and dim (called modulating), but only when it follows lighting rules for other vehicles.
(b) Other vehicles must have two front headlights – one on each side – that meet national safety standards and give off white, yellow, or amber light. These lights must be on:
- From sunset to sunrise.
- When it’s raining, snowing, foggy, or when windshield wipers are used.
- Whenever it’s too dark or hazy to see people or cars from 1,000 feet away.
Parking lights can be on too, but not by themselves instead of headlights. Vehicles must also have two red tail lights on the back, one on each side, visible for 500 feet. Older trucks and motorcycles only need one tail light.
(c) A back light or a special white light must shine on the rear license plate so people can read it from 50 feet away. This light must turn on whenever the headlights are on.
(d) People can only install headlights that meet U.S. safety regulations and shine white, yellow, or amber light.
(e) (Blank)
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