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92_SB2165
LRB9216066DHmg
1 AN ACT in relation to vehicles.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by
5 changing Sections 15-107 and 15-111 as follows:
6 (625 ILCS 5/15-107) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-107)
7 Sec. 15-107. Length of vehicles.
8 (a) The maximum length of a single vehicle on any
9 highway of this State may not exceed 42 feet except the
10 following:
11 (1) Semitrailers.
12 (2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to
13 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing
14 bumpers.
15 (b) On all non-State highways, the maximum length of
16 vehicles in combinations is as follows:
17 (1) A truck tractor in combination with a
18 semitrailer may not exceed 55 feet overall dimension.
19 (2) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer may not
20 exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
21 (3) Combinations specially designed to transport
22 motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 60 feet overall
23 dimension.
24 Vehicles operating during daylight hours when
25 transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a
26 structural nature that cannot readily be dismembered are
27 exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may
28 exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the
29 vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This
30 exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday,
31 or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section
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1 are the days on which the following traditional holidays are
2 celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day;
3 Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
4 Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
5 route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities
6 or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided
7 that during night operations every vehicle and its load must
8 be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on
9 both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any
10 projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
11 A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
12 combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph
13 (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
14 limitations.
15 All other combinations not listed in this subsection (b)
16 may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
17 (c) Combinations of vehicles may not exceed a total of 2
18 vehicles except the following:
19 (1) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one
20 trailer.
21 (2) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one
22 converter dolly.
23 (3) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one
24 vehicle that is defined in Chapter 1 as special mobile
25 equipment, provided the overall dimension does not exceed
26 60 feet.
27 (4) A truck in transit may draw 3 trucks in transit
28 coupled together by the triple saddlemount method.
29 (5) Recreational vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
30 provided the following:
31 (A) The total overall dimension does not
32 exceed 60 feet.
33 (B) The towing vehicle is a properly
34 registered vehicle capable of towing another vehicle
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1 using a fifth-wheel type assembly.
2 (C) The second vehicle in the combination of
3 vehicles is a recreational vehicle that is towed by
4 a fifth-wheel assembly. This vehicle must be
5 properly registered and must be equipped with
6 brakes, regardless of weight.
7 (D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of
8 the 3 vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer
9 designed or used for transporting a boat,
10 all-terrain vehicle, personal watercraft, or
11 motorcycle.
12 (E) The towed vehicles may be only for the use
13 of the operator of the towing vehicle.
14 (F) All vehicles must be properly equipped
15 with operating brakes and safety equipment required
16 by this Code, except the additional brake
17 requirement in subdivision (C) of this subparagraph
18 (5).
19 (6) A tow truck in combination with a disabled
20 vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the
21 towing vehicle:
22 (A) Is specifically designed as a tow truck
23 having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least
24 18,000 pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided
25 that air brakes are required only if the towing
26 vehicle is towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or
27 tractor-trailer combination that is equipped with
28 air brakes. For the purpose of this subsection,
29 gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, means the
30 value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded
31 weight of the tow truck.
32 (B) Is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
33 oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500
34 feet in all directions.
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1 (C) Is capable of utilizing the lighting and
2 braking systems of the disabled vehicle or
3 combination of vehicles.
4 (D) Does not engage a tow exceeding 50 highway
5 miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement
6 to a place of repair. Any additional movement of the
7 vehicles may occur only upon issuance of
8 authorization for that movement under the provisions
9 of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this Code.
10 The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
11 additional requirements regarding length limitations for a
12 tow truck towing another vehicle.
13 For purposes of this Section, a tow-dolly that merely
14 serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed
15 vehicle is considered part of the licensed vehicle and not a
16 separate vehicle.
17 (d) On Class I highways there are no overall length
18 limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations
19 provided:
20 (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with
21 load, in combination with a truck tractor may not exceed
22 53 feet.
23 (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center
24 of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
25 combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet
26 6 inches.
27 (3) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen
28 or with load, operated in a truck
29 tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination, may not exceed
30 28 feet 6 inches.
31 (4) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter
32 1, may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
33 (5) Combinations of vehicles specifically designed
34 to transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 65
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1 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is
2 inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the
3 overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in
4 paragraph (i) of this Section.
5 (6) Stinger steered semitrailer vehicles as defined
6 in Chapter 1, specifically designed to transport motor
7 vehicles or boats, may not exceed 75 feet overall
8 dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front
9 and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the
10 transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
11 this Section.
12 (7) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks
13 coupled together by the triple saddlemount method may not
14 exceed 75 feet overall dimension.
15 Vehicles operating during daylight hours when
16 transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a
17 structural nature that cannot readily be dismembered are
18 exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may
19 exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the
20 vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This
21 exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday,
22 or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section
23 are the days on which the following traditional holidays are
24 celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day;
25 Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
26 Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
27 route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities
28 or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided
29 that during night operations every vehicle and its load must
30 be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on
31 both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any
32 projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
33 A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
34 combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph
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1 (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
2 limitations.
3 The length limitations described in this paragraph (d)
4 shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
5 such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
6 other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
7 for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
8 excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
9 the capability to carry cargo.
10 Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
11 relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
12 designation of highways under this paragraph (d).
13 (e) On Class II highways there are no overall length
14 limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations,
15 provided:
16 (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with
17 load, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed
18 53 feet overall dimension.
19 (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center
20 of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
21 combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet
22 6 inches.
23 (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination
24 may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
25 (4) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen
26 or with load, operated in a truck
27 tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination, may not exceed
28 28 feet 6 inches.
29 (5) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter
30 1, may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
31 (6) A combination of vehicles, specifically
32 designed to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not
33 exceed 65 feet overall dimension. The length limitation
34 is inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of
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1 the overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in
2 paragraph (i) of this Section.
3 (7) Stinger steered semitrailer vehicles, as
4 defined in Chapter 1, specifically designed to transport
5 motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 75 feet overall
6 dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front
7 and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the
8 transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
9 this Section.
10 (8) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks
11 coupled together by the triple saddlemount method may not
12 exceed 75 feet overall dimension.
13 Vehicles operating during daylight hours when
14 transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a
15 structural nature that cannot readily be dismembered are
16 exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may
17 exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the
18 vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This
19 exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday,
20 or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section
21 are the days on which the following traditional holidays are
22 celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day;
23 Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
24 Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
25 route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities
26 or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided
27 that during night operations every vehicle and its load must
28 be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on
29 both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any
30 projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
31 A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
32 combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph
33 (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
34 limitations.
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1 Local authorities and road district commissioners, with
2 respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction, may
3 also by ordinance or resolution allow length limitations of
4 this subsection (e).
5 The length limitations described in this paragraph (e)
6 shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
7 such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
8 other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
9 for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
10 excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
11 the capability to carry cargo.
12 (e-1) Combinations of vehicles not exceeding 65 feet
13 overall length are allowed access as follows:
14 (1) From any State designated highway onto any
15 county, township, or municipal highway for a distance of
16 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading and unloading,
17 provided:
18 (A) The vehicle does not exceed 73,280 pounds
19 in gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width.
20 (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
21 (C) The route is not being used as a
22 thoroughfare between State designated highways.
23 (2) From any State designated highway onto any
24 county or township highway for a distance of 5 highway
25 miles or onto any municipal highway for a distance of one
26 highway mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and
27 rest, provided:
28 (A) The vehicle does not exceed 73,280 pounds
29 in gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width.
30 (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
31 (C) The route is not being used as a
32 thoroughfare between State designated highways.
33 (e-2) Except as provided in subsection (e-3),
34 combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length, with no
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1 overall length limitation except as provided in subsections
2 (d) and (e) of this Section, are allowed access as follows:
3 (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or
4 highway for a distance of one highway mile for the
5 purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and
6 rest, provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
7 (2) From a Class I or Class II highway onto any
8 State highway or any locally designated highway for a
9 distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading,
10 unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
11 (e-3) Combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length
12 operated by household goods carriers, with no overall length
13 limitations except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of
14 this Section, have unlimited access to points of loading and
15 unloading.
16 Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
17 relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
18 designation of highways under this paragraph (e).
19 (f) On Class III and other non-designated State
20 highways, the length limitations for vehicles in combination
21 are as follows:
22 (1) Truck tractor-semitrailer combinations, must
23 comply with either a maximum 55 feet overall wheel base
24 or a maximum 65 feet extreme overall dimension.
25 (2) Semitrailers, unladen or with load, may not
26 exceed 53 feet overall dimension.
27 (3) No truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
28 combination may exceed 60 feet extreme overall dimension.
29 (4) The distance between the kingpin and the center
30 axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination
31 with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches.
32 (g) Length limitations in the preceding subsections of
33 this Section 15-107 do not apply to the following:
34 (1) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on
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1 Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting
2 poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural
3 nature that cannot readily be dismembered, provided the
4 overall length of vehicle and load may not exceed 100
5 feet and no object exceeding 80 feet in length may be
6 transported unless a permit has been obtained as
7 authorized in Section 15-301.
8 (2) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility
9 while en route to make emergency repairs to public
10 service facilities or properties, but during night
11 operation every vehicle and its load must be equipped
12 with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides
13 and marker lamps upon the extreme ends of any projecting
14 load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
15 (3) A tow truck in combination with a disabled
16 vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the
17 towing vehicle meets the following conditions:
18 (A) It is specifically designed as a tow truck
19 having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least
20 18,000 pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided
21 that air brakes are required only if the towing
22 vehicle is towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or
23 tractor-trailer combination that is equipped with
24 air brakes.
25 (B) It is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
26 oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500
27 feet in all directions.
28 (C) It is capable of utilizing the lighting
29 and braking systems of the disabled vehicle or
30 combination of vehicles.
31 (D) It does not engage in a tow exceeding 50
32 miles from the initial point of wreck or
33 disablement.
34 The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
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1 additional requirements regarding length limitations for a
2 tow truck towing another vehicle. Notwithstanding any rule
3 or regulation or any other provision of this Code, however, a
4 towing vehicle that meets the requirements of paragraph (1),
5 (2), or (3) of this subsection (g) may tow any disabled
6 vehicle or combination of vehicles from the initial point of
7 wreck or disablement to a point where repairs are actually to
8 occur.
9 For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
10 rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the
11 manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck. Legal
12 holidays referred to in this Section shall be specified as
13 the day on which the following traditional holidays are
14 celebrated:
15 New Year's Day;
16 Memorial Day;
17 Independence Day;
18 Labor Day;
19 Thanksgiving Day; and
20 Christmas Day.
21 (h) The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the
22 load upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles,
23 shall not extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of
24 the vehicle or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is
25 equipped with a front bumper. The provisions of this
26 subsection (h) shall not apply to any vehicle or combination
27 of vehicles specifically designed for the collection and
28 transportation of waste, garbage, or recyclable materials
29 during the vehicle's operation in the course of collecting
30 garbage, waste, or recyclable materials if the vehicle is
31 traveling at a speed not in excess of 15 miles per hour
32 during the vehicle's operation and in the course of
33 collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable materials. However,
34 in no instance shall the load extend more than 7 feet beyond
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1 the front wheels of the vehicle or the front bumper of the
2 vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper.
3 (i) The load upon the front vehicle of a combination of
4 vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles
5 shall not extend more than 3 feet beyond the foremost part of
6 the transporting vehicle and the load upon the rear
7 transporting vehicle shall not extend more than 4 feet beyond
8 the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle. This paragraph
9 shall only be applicable upon highways designated in
10 paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section.
11 (j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections,
12 neither of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for
13 the carrying of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in
14 length, not including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that
15 the vehicles are:
16 1. operated by or for any public body or motor
17 carrier authorized by law to provide public
18 transportation services; or
19 2. operated in local public transportation service
20 by any other person and the municipality in which the
21 service is to be provided approved the operation of the
22 vehicle.
23 (j-1) (Blank).
24 (k) Any person who is convicted of violating this
25 Section is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph
26 (b) of Section 15-113.
27 (l) (Blank).
28 (Source: P.A. 92-417, eff. 1-1-02.)
29 (625 ILCS 5/15-111) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)
30 Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
31 (a) On non-designated highways, no vehicle or
32 combination of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires may be
33 operated, unladen or with load, when the total weight
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1 transmitted to the road surface exceeds 18,000 pounds on a
2 single axle or 32,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle
3 within the tandem exceeding 18,000 pounds except:
4 (1) when a different limit is established and
5 posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code;
6 (2) vehicles for which the Department of
7 Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
8 permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code;
9 (3) tow trucks subject to the conditions provided
10 in subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a
11 single rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle;
12 (4) any single axle of a 2-axle truck weighing
13 36,000 pounds or less and not a part of a combination of
14 vehicles, shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;
15 (5) any single axle of a 2-axle truck equipped with
16 a personnel lift or digger derrick, weighing 36,000
17 pounds or less, owned and operated by a public utility,
18 shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;
19 (6) any single axle of a 2-axle truck specially
20 equipped with a front loading compactor used exclusively
21 for garbage, refuse, or recycling may not exceed 20,000
22 pounds per axle, provided that the gross weight of the
23 vehicle does not exceed 40,000 pounds;
24 (7) a truck, not in combination and specially
25 equipped with a selfcompactor or an industrial roll-off
26 hoist and roll-off container, used exclusively for
27 garbage or refuse operations may, when laden, transmit
28 upon the road surface the following maximum weights:
29 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem
30 axle;
31 (8) a truck, not in combination and used
32 exclusively for the collection of rendering materials,
33 may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface the
34 following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single
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1 axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
2 (9) tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered as a
3 Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
4 model year of 2004 and first registered in Illinois prior
5 to January 1, 2005, with a distance greater than 72
6 inches but not more than 96 inches between any series of
7 2 axles, is allowed a combined weight on the series not
8 to exceed 36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series
9 may exceed 18,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type
10 manufactured after the model year of 2004 or first
11 registered in Illinois after December 31, 2004 may not
12 exceed a combined weight of 32,000 pounds through the
13 series of 2 axles and neither axle of the series may
14 exceed 18,000 pounds;
15 (10) tandem axles on a 4-axle truck mixer, whose
16 fourth axle is a road surface engaging mixer trailing
17 axle, registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used
18 exclusively for the mixing and transportation of concrete
19 and manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2004
20 and first registered in Illinois prior to January 1,
21 2005, with a distance greater than 72 inches but not more
22 than 96 inches between any series of 2 axles, is allowed
23 a combined weight on the series not to exceed 36,000
24 pounds and neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000
25 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured after the
26 model year of 2004 or first registered in Illinois after
27 December 31, 2004 may not exceed a combined weight of
28 32,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and neither
29 axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds;
30 (11) 4-axle vehicles or a 5 or more axle
31 combination of vehicles: The weight transmitted upon the
32 road surface through any series of 3 axles whose centers
33 are more than 96 inches apart, measured between extreme
34 axles in the series, may not exceed those allowed in the
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1 table contained in subsection (f) of this Section. No
2 axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum
3 weight permitted under this Section for a single or
4 tandem axle.
5 No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
6 than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
7 upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
8 road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
9 width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
10 surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
11 (b) On non-designated highways, the gross weight of
12 vehicles and combination of vehicles including the weight of
13 the vehicle or combination and its maximum load shall be
14 subject to the foregoing limitations and further shall not
15 exceed the following gross weights dependent upon the number
16 of axles and distance between extreme axles of the vehicle or
17 combination measured longitudinally to the nearest foot.
18 VEHICLES HAVING 2 AXLES ....................... 36,000 pounds
19 VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
20 HAVING 3 AXLES
21 With Tandem With or
22 Axles Without
23 Tandem Axles
24 Minimum Minimum
25 distance to Maximum distance to Maximum
26 nearest foot Gross nearest foot Gross
27 between Weight between Weight
28 extreme axles (pounds) extreme axles (pounds)
29 10 feet 41,000 16 feet 46,000
30 11 42,000 17 47,000
31 12 43,000 18 47,500
32 13 44,000 19 48,000
33 14 44,500 20 49,000
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1 15 45,000 21 feet or more 50,000
2 VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
3 HAVING 4 AXLES
4 Minimum Minimum
5 distance to Maximum distance to Maximum
6 nearest foot Gross nearest foot Gross
7 between Weight between Weight
8 extreme axles (pounds) extreme axles (pounds)
9 15 feet 50,000 26 feet 57,500
10 16 50,500 27 58,000
11 17 51,500 28 58,500
12 18 52,000 29 59,500
13 19 52,500 30 60,000
14 20 53,500 31 60,500
15 21 54,000 32 61,500
16 22 54,500 33 62,000
17 23 55,500 34 62,500
18 24 56,000 35 63,500
19 25 56,500 36 feet or more 64,000
20 A vehicle not in a combination having more than 4 axles
21 may not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (b)
22 for 4 axles measured between the extreme axles of the
23 vehicle.
24 COMBINATIONS HAVING 5 OR MORE AXLES
25 Minimum distance to Maximum
26 nearest foot between Gross Weight
27 extreme axles (pounds)
28 42 feet or less 72,000
29 43 73,000
30 44 feet or more 73,280
31 VEHICLES OPERATING ON CRAWLER TYPE TRACKS ..... 40,000 pounds
32 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SELFCOMPACTORS
33 OR ROLL-OFF HOISTS AND ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS FOR GARBAGE
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1 OR REFUSE HAULS ONLY AND TRUCKS USED FOR
2 THE COLLECTION OF RENDERING MATERIALS
3 On Highway Not Part of National System
4 of Interstate and Defense Highways
5 with 2 axles 36,000 pounds
6 with 3 axles 54,000 pounds
7 TWO AXLE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH
8 A FRONT LOADING COMPACTOR USED EXCLUSIVELY
9 FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE, OR RECYCLING
10 with 2 axles 40,000 pounds
11 (c) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
12 permit by ordinance axle loads on 2 axle motor vehicles 33
13 1/2% above those provided for herein, but the increase shall
14 not become effective until the city has officially notified
15 the Department of the passage of the ordinance and shall not
16 apply to those vehicles when outside of the limits of the
17 city, nor shall the gross weight of any 2 axle motor vehicle
18 operating over any street of the city exceed 40,000 pounds.
19 (d) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
20 (including loads) operated by a public utility when
21 transporting equipment required for emergency repair of
22 public utility facilities or properties or water wells.
23 A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck and a
24 disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles, that
25 exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code, may be
26 operated on a public highway in this State provided that
27 neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being towed nor
28 the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight limitations
29 permitted under this Chapter. During the towing operation,
30 neither the tow truck nor the vehicle combination shall
31 exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear axle and 44,000 pounds
32 on a tandem rear axle, provided the towing vehicle:
33 (1) is specifically designed as a tow truck having
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1 a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds
2 and is equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes
3 are required only if the towing vehicle is towing a
4 vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination that
5 is equipped with air brakes;
6 (2) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
7 oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
8 in all directions;
9 (3) is capable of utilizing the lighting and
10 braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of
11 vehicles; and
12 (4) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles
13 from the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any
14 additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon
15 issuance of authorization for that movement under the
16 provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this
17 Code.
18 Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
19 the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck
20 license plate must cover the operating empty weight of the
21 tow truck only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall
22 be covered by a valid license plate issued to the owner or
23 operator of the vehicle being towed and displayed on that
24 vehicle. If no valid plate issued to the owner or operator of
25 that vehicle is displayed on that vehicle, or the plate
26 displayed on that vehicle does not cover the weight of the
27 vehicle, the weight of the vehicle shall be covered by the
28 third tow truck plate issued to the owner or operator of the
29 tow truck and temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed.
30 The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
31 additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
32 prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer
33 from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
34 violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
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1 roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
2 opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the
3 officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to
4 the nearest place of safety. Furthermore, nothing in this
5 Code nor any rule or regulation prohibits a towing vehicle
6 that meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this
7 subsection (d) from towing any disabled vehicle or
8 combination of vehicles from the initial point of wreck or
9 disablement to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
10 For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
11 rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the
12 manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
13 (e) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
14 pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
15 the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
16 any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
17 through 15-319 of this Chapter.
18 (f) On designated Class I, II, or III highways and the
19 National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, no
20 vehicle or combination of vehicles with pneumatic tires may
21 be operated, unladen or with load, when the total weight on
22 the road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds on a
23 single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle
24 within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds
25 gross weight for vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or
26 a total weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles in
27 excess of that weight produced by the application of the
28 following formula: W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by
29 N-1) + 12N + 36, where "W" equals overall total weight on any
30 group of 2 or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500
31 pounds, "L" equals the distance measured to the nearest foot
32 between extremes of any group of 2 or more consecutive axles,
33 and "N" equals the number of axles in the group under
34 consideration.
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1 The above formula when expressed in tabular form results
2 in allowable loads as follows:
3 Distance measured
4 to the nearest
5 foot between the
6 extremes of any Maximum weight in pounds
7 group of 2 or of any group of
8 more consecutive 2 or more consecutive axles
9 axles
10 feet 2 axles 3 axles 4 axles 5 axles 6 axles
11 4 34,000
12 5 34,000
13 6 34,000
14 7 34,000
15 8 38,000* 42,000
16 9 39,000 42,500
17 10 40,000 43,500
18 11 44,000
19 12 45,000 50,000
20 13 45,500 50,500
21 14 46,500 51,500
22 15 47,000 52,000
23 16 48,000 52,500 58,000
24 17 48,500 53,500 58,500
25 18 49,500 54,000 59,000
26 19 50,000 54,500 60,000
27 20 51,000 55,500 60,500 66,000
28 21 51,500 56,000 61,000 66,500
29 22 52,500 56,500 61,500 67,000
30 23 53,000 57,500 62,500 68,000
31 24 54,000 58,000 63,000 68,500
32 25 54,500 58,500 63,500 69,000
33 26 55,500 59,500 64,000 69,500
34 27 56,000 60,000 65,000 70,000
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1 28 57,000 60,500 65,500 71,000
2 29 57,500 61,500 66,000 71,500
3 30 58,500 62,000 66,500 72,000
4 31 59,000 62,500 67,500 72,500
5 32 60,000 63,500 68,000 73,000
6 33 64,000 68,500 74,000
7 34 64,500 69,000 74,500
8 35 65,500 70,000 75,000
9 36 66,000 70,500 75,500
10 37 66,500 71,000 76,000
11 38 67,500 72,000 77,000
12 39 68,000 72,500 77,500
13 40 68,500 73,000 78,000
14 41 69,500 73,500 78,500
15 42 70,000 74,000 79,000
16 43 70,500 75,000 80,000
17 44 71,500 75,500
18 45 72,000 76,000
19 46 72,500 76,500
20 47 73,500 77,500
21 48 74,000 78,000
22 49 74,500 78,500
23 50 75,500 79,000
24 51 76,000 80,000
25 52 76,500
26 53 77,500
27 54 78,000
28 55 78,500
29 56 79,500
30 57 80,000
31 *If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
32 axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
33 exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
34 resulting from the application of the formula.
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1 Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles
2 may not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f)
3 for 4 axles measured between the extreme axles of the
4 vehicle.
5 Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may
6 not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for
7 6 axles measured between the extreme axles of the
8 combination.
9 Local authorities and road district highway
10 commissioners, with respect to streets and highways under
11 their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
12 ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
13 subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
14 shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight
15 on any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on
16 designated highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving
17 notice are erected upon the street or highway or portion of
18 any street or highway affected by the ordinance or
19 resolution.
20 The following are exceptions to the above formula:
21 (1) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry
22 a total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall
23 distance between the first and last axles of the
24 consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
25 (2) Vehicles for which a different limit is
26 established and posted in accordance with Section 15-316
27 of this Code.
28 (3) Vehicles for which the Department of
29 Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
30 permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
31 These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
32 (4) Tow trucks subject to the conditions provided
33 in subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a
34 single rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle.
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1 (5) A tandem axle on a 3-axle truck registered as a
2 Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
3 model year of 2004, and registered in Illinois prior to
4 January 1, 2005, with a distance between 2 axles in a
5 series greater than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches
6 may not exceed a total weight of 36,000 pounds and
7 neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds.
8 (6) A truck not in combination, equipped with a
9 self compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and
10 roll-off container, used exclusively for garbage or
11 refuse operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
12 road surface, except when on part of the National System
13 of Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
14 weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on
15 a tandem axle; 36,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
16 vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
17 This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
18 (7) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
19 Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
20 prior to or in the model year of 2004, and registered in
21 Illinois prior to January 1, 2005, having 5 axles with a
22 distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may
23 not exceed the following maximum weights: 18,000 pounds
24 on a single axle; 32,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and
25 72,000 pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles
26 is not subject to the bridge formula. For all those
27 combinations of vehicles that include a semitrailer
28 manufactured after the effective date of this amendatory
29 Act of the 92nd General Assembly, the overall distance
30 between the first and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems
31 must be 18 feet 6 inches or more. Any combination of
32 vehicles that has had its cargo container replaced in its
33 entirety after December 31, 2004 may not exceed the
34 weights allowed by the bridge formula.
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1 No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
2 than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
3 upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
4 road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
5 width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
6 surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
7 (f-1) A vehicle and load not exceeding 73,280 pounds is
8 allowed access as follows:
9 (1) From any State designated highway onto any
10 county, township, or municipal highway for a distance of
11 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading and unloading,
12 provided:
13 (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8
14 feet 6 inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
15 (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
16 (C) The route is not being used as a
17 thoroughfare between State designated highways.
18 (2) From any State designated highway onto any
19 county or township highway for a distance of 5 highway
20 miles, or any municipal highway for a distance of one
21 highway mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and
22 rest, provided:
23 (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8
24 feet 6 inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
25 (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
26 (C) The route is not being used as a
27 thoroughfare between State designated highways.
28 (f-2) A vehicle and load greater than 73,280 pounds in
29 weight but not exceeding 80,000 pounds is allowed access as
30 follows:
31 (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or
32 highway for a distance of one highway mile for the
33 purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and
34 rest, provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
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1 (2) From a Class I, II, or III highway onto any
2 State highway or any local designated highway for a
3 distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading,
4 unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
5 Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
6 relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
7 designation of highways under this subsection.
8 (g) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
9 vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure
10 constituting part of a highway with a gross weight that is
11 greater than the maximum weight permitted by the Department,
12 when the structure is sign posted as provided in this
13 Section.
14 (h) The Department upon request from any local authority
15 shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an
16 investigation of any bridge or other elevated structure
17 constituting a part of a highway, and if it finds that the
18 structure cannot with safety to itself withstand the weight
19 of vehicles otherwise permissible under this Code the
20 Department shall determine and declare the maximum weight of
21 vehicles that the structures can withstand, and shall cause
22 or permit suitable signs stating maximum weight to be erected
23 and maintained before each end of the structure. No person
24 shall operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles over any
25 structure with a gross weight that is greater than the posted
26 maximum weight.
27 (i) Upon the trial of any person charged with a
28 violation of subsections (g) or (h) of this Section, proof of
29 the determination of the maximum allowable weight by the
30 Department and the existence of the signs, constitutes
31 conclusive evidence of the maximum weight that can be
32 maintained with safety to the bridge or structure.
33 (Source: P.A. 92-417, eff. 1-1-02.)