Illinois General Assembly - Illinois Compiled Statutes

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625 ILCS 5/11-1426.2

    (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.2)
    Sec. 11-1426.2. Operation of low-speed vehicles on streets.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, it is lawful for any person to drive or operate a low-speed vehicle upon any street in this State where the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less.

(b) Low-speed vehicles may cross a street at an intersection where the street being crossed has a posted speed limit of not more than 45 miles per hour.  Low-speed vehicles may not cross a street with a speed limit in excess of 45 miles per hour unless the crossing is at an intersection controlled by a traffic light or 4-way stop sign.

(c) The Department of Transportation or a municipality, township, county, or other unit of local government may prohibit, by regulation, ordinance, or resolution, the operation of low-speed vehicles on streets under its jurisdiction where the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less if the Department of Transportation or unit of local government determines that the public safety would be jeopardized.

(d)  Upon determining that low-speed vehicles may not safely operate on a street, and upon the adoption of an ordinance or resolution by a unit of local government, or regulation by the Department of Transportation, the operation of low-speed vehicles may be prohibited. The unit of local government or the Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on any and all streets under its jurisdiction. Appropriate signs shall be posted in conformance with the State Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted pursuant to Section 11-301 of this Code.

(e) If a street is under the jurisdiction of more than one unit of local government, or under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation and one or more units of local government, low-speed vehicles may be operated on the street unless each unit of local government and the Department of Transportation agree and take action to prohibit such operation as provided in this Section.

(e-5) A unit of local government may, by ordinance or resolution, authorize the operation of low-speed vehicles on one or more streets under its jurisdiction that have a speed limit of more than 30 miles per hour but not greater than 35 miles per hour.

Before authorizing the operation of low-speed vehicles on any street under this subsection (e-5), the unit of local government must consider the volume, speed, and character of traffic on the street and determine whether low-speed vehicles may travel safely on that street.

If a street is under the jurisdiction of more than one unit of government, low-speed vehicles may not be operated on the street under this subsection (e-5) unless each unit of government agrees and takes action as provided in this subsection.

Upon the adoption of an ordinance authorizing low-speed vehicles under this subsection (e-5), appropriate signs shall be posted.

(f) No low-speed vehicle may be operated on any street unless, at a minimum, it has the following: a parking brake, a steering apparatus, tires, a windshield that conforms to the federal vehicle safety standards on glazing materials as set forth in 49 CFR part 571.205, a vehicle identification number, seat belts, a rearview mirror, an exterior rearview mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle, red reflectorized warning devices on each rear side and one on the center rear of the vehicle, a headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front, a tail lamp that emits a red light visible from at least 100 feet from the rear, brake lights, and front and rear turn signals.  When operated on a street, a low-speed vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted as required by Section 12-201 of this Code.

(g) A person may not operate a low-speed vehicle upon any street in this State unless he or she has a valid driver's license issued in his or her name by the Secretary of State or a foreign jurisdiction.

(h) The operation of a low-speed vehicle upon any street is subject to the provisions of Chapter 11 of this Code concerning the Rules of the Road, and applicable local ordinances.

(i) Every owner of a low-speed vehicle is subject to the mandatory insurance requirements specified in Article VI of Chapter 7 of this Code.

(j) Any person engaged in the retail sale of low-speed vehicles are required to comply with the motor vehicle dealer licensing, registration, and bonding laws of this State, as specified in Sections 5-101 and 5-102 of this Code.

(k) No action taken by a unit of local government under this Section designates the operation of a low-speed vehicle as an intended or permitted use of property with respect to Section 3-102 of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act.

(l) Every owner of a low-speed vehicle which may be operated upon a highway shall secure a certificate of title and display valid registration.

(Source: P.A. 99-401, eff. 1-1-16.)