Statutes > Illinois Statutes > CHAPTER 625 VEHICLES > 625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code. > Article I - Size, Weight And Load

Article I - Size, Weight And Load


      (625 ILCS 5/Ch. 15 Art. I heading)
ARTICLE I. SIZE, WEIGHT AND LOAD

    (625 ILCS 5/15‑100) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15‑100)
    Sec. 15‑100. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 87‑1203. Repealed by P.A. 90‑89, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

    (625 ILCS 5/15‑101)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15‑101)
    Sec. 15‑101. Scope and effect of Chapter 15.
    (a) It is unlawful for any person to drive or move on, upon or across or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on, upon or across any highway any vehicle or vehicles of a size and weight exceeding the limitations stated in this Chapter or otherwise in violation of this Chapter, and the maximum size and weight of vehicles herein specified shall be lawful throughout this State, and local authorities shall have no power or authority to alter such limitations except as express authority may be granted in this Chapter.
    (b) The provisions of this Chapter governing size, weight and load do not apply to fire apparatus or equipment for snow and ice removal operations owned or operated by any governmental body, or to implements of husbandry, as defined in Chapter 1 of this Code, temporarily operated or towed in a combination upon a highway provided such combination does not consist of more than 3 vehicles or, in the case of hauling fresh, perishable fruits or vegetables from farm to the point of first processing, not more than 3 wagons being towed by an implement of husbandry, or to a vehicle operated under the terms of a special permit issued hereunder.
    (c) The provisions of this Chapter governing size,
     weight, and load do not apply to any snow and ice removal equipment that is no more than 12 feet in width, if the equipment displays flags at least 18 inches square mounted on the driver's side of the snow plow.
    These vehicles must be equipped with an illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights, or a flashing amber strobe light or lights, mounted on the top of the cab and of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. If the load on the transport vehicle blocks the visibility of the amber lighting from the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle must also be equipped with an illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights, or a flashing amber strobe light or lights, mounted on the rear of the load and of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(Source: P.A. 94‑270, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

    (625 ILCS 5/15‑102)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15‑102)
    Sec. 15‑102. Width of Vehicles.
    (a) On Class III and non‑designated State and local highways, the total outside width of any vehicle or load thereon shall not exceed 8 feet 6 inches.
    (b) Except during those times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet, the following vehicles may exceed the 8 feet 6 inch limitation during the period from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset:
        (1) Loads of hay, straw or other similar farm
    products provided that the load is not more than 12 feet wide.
        (2) Implements of husbandry being transported on
    another vehicle and the transporting vehicle while loaded.
        The following requirements apply to the
    transportation on another vehicle of an implement of husbandry wider than 8 feet 6 inches on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways or other highways in the system of State highways:
            (A) The driver of a vehicle transporting an
        implement of husbandry that exceeds 8 feet 6 inches in width shall obey all traffic laws and shall check the roadways prior to making a movement in order to ensure that adequate clearance is available for the movement. It is prima facie evidence that the driver of a vehicle transporting an implement of husbandry has failed to check the roadway prior to making a movement if the vehicle is involved in a collision with a bridge, overpass, fixed structure, or properly placed traffic control device or if the vehicle blocks traffic due to its inability to proceed because of a bridge, overpass, fixed structure, or properly placed traffic control device.
            (B) Flags shall be displayed so as to wave freely
        at the extremities of overwidth objects and at the extreme ends of all protrusions, projections, and overhangs. All flags shall be clean, bright red flags with no advertising, wording, emblem, or insignia inscribed upon them and at least 18 inches square.
            (C) "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs are mandatory on the
        front and rear of all vehicles with loads over 10 feet wide. These signs must have 12‑inch high black letters with a 2‑inch stroke on a yellow sign that is 7 feet wide by 18 inches high.
            (D) One civilian escort vehicle is required for a
        load that exceeds 14 feet 6 inches in width and 2 civilian escort vehicles are required for a load that exceeds 16 feet in width on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways or other highways in the system of State highways.
            (E) The requirements for a civilian escort
        vehicle and driver are as follows:
                (1) The civilian escort vehicle shall be a
            passenger car or a second division vehicle not exceeding a gross vehicle weight of 8,000 pounds that is designed to afford clear and unobstructed vision to both front and rear.
                (2) The escort vehicle driver must be
            properly licensed to operate the vehicle.
                (3) While in use, the escort vehicle must be
            equipped with illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber lights or flashing amber strobe lights mounted on top that are of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
                (4) "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs are mandatory on
            all escort vehicles. The sign on an escort vehicle shall have 8‑inch high black letters on a yellow sign that is 5 feet wide by 12 inches high.
                (5) When only one escort vehicle is required
            and it is operating on a two‑lane highway, the escort vehicle shall travel approximately 300 feet ahead of the load. The rotating, oscillating, or flashing lights or flashing amber strobe lights and an "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign shall be displayed on the escort vehicle and shall be visible from the front. When only one escort vehicle is required and it is operating on a multilane divided highway, the escort vehicle shall travel approximately 300 feet behind the load and the sign and lights shall be visible from the rear.
                (6) When 2 escort vehicles are required, one
            escort shall travel approximately 300 feet ahead of the load and the second escort shall travel approximately 300 feet behind the load. The rotating, oscillating, or flashing lights or flashing amber strobe lights and an "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign shall be displayed on the escort vehicles and shall be visible from the front on the lead escort and from the rear on the trailing escort.
                (7) When traveling within the corporate
            limits of a municipality, the escort vehicle shall maintain a reasonable and proper distance from the oversize load, consistent with existing traffic conditions.
                (8) A separate escort shall be provided for
            each load hauled.
                (9) The driver of an escort vehicle shall
            obey all traffic laws.
                (10) The escort vehicle must be in safe
            operational condition.
                (11) The driver of the escort vehicle must be
            in radio contact with the driver of the vehicle carrying the oversize load.
            (F) A transport vehicle while under load of more
        than 8 feet 6 inches in width must be equipped with an illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights or a flashing amber strobe light or lights mounted on the top of the cab that are of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. If the load on the transport vehicle blocks the visibility of the amber lighting from the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle must also be equipped with an illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights or a flashing amber strobe light or lights mounted on the rear of the load that are of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.
            (G) When a flashing amber light is required on
        the transport vehicle under load and it is operating on a two‑lane highway, the transport vehicle shall display to the rear at least one rotating, oscillating, or flashing light or a flashing amber strobe light and an "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign. When a flashing amber light is required on the transport vehicle under load and it is operating on a multilane divided highway, the sign and light shall be visible from the rear.
            (H) Maximum speed shall be 45 miles per hour on
        all such moves or 5 miles per hour above the posted minimum speed limit, whichever is greater, but the vehicle shall not at any time exceed the posted maximum speed limit.
        (3) Portable buildings designed and used for
    agricultural and livestock raising operations that are not more than 14 feet wide and with not more than a 1 foot overhang along the left side of the hauling vehicle. However, the buildings shall not be transported more than 10 miles and not on any route that is part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.
    All buildings when being transported shall display at least 2 red cloth flags, not less than 12 inches square, mounted as high as practicable on the left and right side of the building.
    A State Police escort shall be required if it is necessary for this load to use part of the left lane when crossing any 2 laned State highway bridge.
    (c) Vehicles propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires operated wholly within the corporate limits of a municipality are also exempt from the width limitation.
    (d) (Blank).
    (d‑1) A recreational vehicle, as defined in Section
    1‑169, may exceed 8 feet 6 inches in width if:
        (1) the excess width is attributable to appurtenances
    that extend 6 inches or less beyond either side of the body of the vehicle; and
        (2) the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling has
    marked lanes for vehicular traffic that are at least 11 feet in width.
    As used in this subsection (d‑1) and in subsection (d‑2), the term appurtenance includes (i) a retracted awning and its support hardware and (ii) any appendage that is intended to be an integral part of a recreation vehicle.
    (d‑2) A recreational vehicle that exceeds 8 feet 6 inches in width as provided in subsection (d‑1) may travel any roadway of the State if the vehicle is being operated between a roadway permitted under subsection (d‑1) and:
        (1) the location where the recreation vehicle is
    garaged;
        (2) the destination of the recreation vehicle; or
        (3) a facility for food, fuel, repair, services, or
    rest.
    (e) A vehicle and load traveling upon the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways or any other highway in the system of State highways that has been designated as a Class I or Class II highway by the Department, or any street or highway designated by local authorities, may have a total outside width of 8 feet 6 inches, provided that certain safety devices that the Department determines as necessary for the safe and efficient operation of motor vehicles shall not be included in the calculation of width.
    Section 5‑35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the designation of highways under this paragraph (e).
    (f) Mirrors required by Section 12‑502 of this Code and other safety devices identified by the Department may project up to 14 inches beyond each side of a bus and up to 6 inches beyond each side of any other vehicle, and that projection shall not be deemed a violation of the width restrictions of this Section.
    (g) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 15‑113.
(Source: P.A. 96‑34, eff. 1‑1‑10; 96‑37, eff. 7‑13‑09; 96‑220, eff. 1‑1‑10; 96‑1000, eff. 7‑2‑10.)

    (625 ILCS 5/15‑103) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15‑103)
    Sec. 15‑103. Height of vehicles. The height of a vehicle from the under side of the tire to the top of the vehicle, inclusive of load, shall not exceed 13 feet, 6 inches on any highway in the State.
    A person convicted of violating this Section is subject to the penalty provided in paragraph (b) of Section 15‑113.
(Source: P.A. 92‑417, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (625 ILCS 5/15‑105) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15‑105)
    Sec. 15‑105. Projecting loads on passenger vehicles.
    No passenger‑type vehicle shall be operated on any highway with any load carried thereon extending beyond the line of the fenders on the left side of such vehicle nor extending more than 6 inches beyond the line of the fenders on the right side thereof.
(Source: P.A. 76‑1586.)

    (625 ILCS 5/15‑106) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15‑106)
    Sec. 15‑106. Protruding members of vehicles.
    No vehicle with boom, arm, drill rig or other protruding component shall be operated upon any highway in this State unless such protruding component is fastened so as to prevent shifting, bouncing or moving in any manner.
(Source: P.A. 92‑417, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (625 ILCS 5/15‑107) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15‑107)
    Sec. 15‑107. Length of vehicles.
    (a) The maximum length of a single vehicle on any highway of this State may not exceed 42 feet except the following:
        (1) Semitrailers.
        (2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to 45
    feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
    (a‑1) A motor home as defined in Section 1‑145.01 may be up to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers. The length limitations described in this subsection (a‑1) shall be exclusive of energy‑absorbing bumpers and rear view mirrors.
    (b) On all non‑State highways, the maximum length of vehicles in combinations is as follows:
        (1) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer
    may not exceed 55 feet overall dimension.
        (2) A truck tractor‑semitrailer‑trailer may not
    exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
        (3) Combinations specially designed to transport
    motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that during night operations every vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length limitations.
    All other combinations not listed in this subsection (b) may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
    (c) Except as provided in subsections (c‑1) and (c‑2), combinations of vehicles may not exceed a total of 2 vehicles except the following:
        (1) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one trailer.
        (2) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one
    converter dolly.
        (3) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one vehicle
    that is defined in Chapter 1 as special mobile equipment, provided the overall dimension does not exceed 60 feet.
        (4) A truck in transit may draw 3 trucks in transit
    coupled together by the triple saddlemount method.
        (5) Recreational vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
    provided the following:
            (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed
        60 feet.
            (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered
        vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a fifth‑wheel type assembly.
            (C) The second vehicle in the combination of
        vehicles is a recreational vehicle that is towed by a fifth‑wheel assembly. This vehicle must be properly registered and must be equipped with brakes, regardless of weight.
            (D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the
        3 vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or used for transporting a boat, all‑terrain vehicle, personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
            (E) The towed vehicles may be only for the use of
        the operator of the towing vehicle.
            (F) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this Code, except the additional brake requirement in subdivision (C) of this subparagraph (5).
        (6) A tow truck in combination with a disabled
    vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing vehicle:
            (A) Is specifically designed as a tow truck
        having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor‑trailer combination that is equipped with air brakes. For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
            (B) Is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet in all directions.
            (C) Is capable of utilizing the lighting and
        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles.
            (D) Does not engage a tow exceeding 50 highway
        miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement to a place of repair. Any additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon issuance of authorization for that movement under the provisions of Sections 15‑301 through 15‑319 of this Code.
        The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
    additional requirements regarding length limitations for a tow truck towing another vehicle.
        For purposes of this Section, a tow‑dolly that merely
    serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed vehicle is considered part of the licensed vehicle and not a separate vehicle.
        (7) Commercial vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
    provided the following:
            (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed
        65 feet.
            (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered
        vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a fifth‑wheel type assembly or a goose‑neck hitch ball.
            (C) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the
        3 vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer.
            (D) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this Code.
            (E) The combination of vehicles must be operated
        by a person who hol