Do You Need a Front License Plate in Illinois?

Before getting a driver’s license in Illinois, every prospective driver needs to study the Illinois rules of the road manual and pass a written and driving test. Once they get their license, they must adhere to additional laws and regulations, beginning with maintaining up-to-date vehicle registration and license plates. Do you need a front license plate in Illinois? Here is what the Illinois state legislature stipulates:

“Registration plates or digital registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, autocycle, trailer, semitrailer, truck-tractor, apportioned bus, or apportioned truck shall be attached thereto, one in the front and one in the rear. The registration plate or digital registration plate issued for a motorcycle, autocycle, trailer, or semitrailer is required to be registered hereunder, and any apportionment plate issued to a bus under the provisions of this Code shall be attached to the rear thereof. The registration plate or digital registration plate issued for a truck-tractor or an apportioned truck required to be registered hereunder shall be attached to the front thereof.”

In addition to having your license plates in the front and rear and your registration, there are a few other essential laws you need to comply with as an Illinois driver.

Implied Consent

When you accept a driver’s license, you also agree to implied consent. This applies to a suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If a police officer pulls you over and suspects you might be inebriated, then your implied consent means you agree to take a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine. If you refuse to take the test, your license will be automatically suspended for a year. If you take the test and fail, you could also face a license suspension.

Wearing Seat Belts

Illinois passed a seat belt law in 1985 that requires every driver and all passengers to wear a properly adjusted seat belt. Children under the age of 8 need to be restrained in a child seat, as described in the Child Passenger Protection Act. These types of seats include infant seats, convertible seats, and booster seats. The type of seat depends on the child’s age and size and the seat manufacturer’s recommendations.

Hands-free Driving

Distracted driving remains a persistent problem for all drivers. Like other states, Illinois has a hands-free driving law that prohibits the use of handheld cellphones, texting, or other electronic communications while driving. Drivers can use hands-free devices or Bluetooth technology, but only for drivers who are 19 or older.

Speed Limits

The speed limits drivers need to follow depending on where they are driving. That limit starts at the speed limit sign, not when the driver sees the sign. Overall, you can anticipate the following speed limits throughout the state:

• Residential areas – 30 mph
• Urban interstates – 55 mph
• Rural interstates – 70 mph
• Non-interstate highways – 55 mph

Drivers also have to be aware of school speed limit zones. Those laws require drivers to slow down to 20 mph during school days when children are seen anywhere outside the school building. That applies to any public street around a school where children might come and go to get to the school.

Mandatory Insurance

Every Illinois driver must carry auto insurance. That insurance is meant to pay for property damage and injury you might cause in a car accident. No one intentionally sets out to get into an accident. However, you could be found at fault if you lose control of your car on an icy road. You might also accidentally switch lanes without seeing an approaching car in your blind spot and cause a sideswipe accident. Here are the required insurance minimums:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person in a crash.
• $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in a crash.
• $20,000 for damage to property of another person.

You can add to those minimums and include additional policies to cover you if you get into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. With those policies, you’ll be able to find a remedy for your losses from your insurance carrier as opposed to the at-fault driver’s carrier.

Factoring in the Laws for Accident Liability

If you get into a car accident with a negligent driver, many of those laws could be a factor in determining liability. For example, a driver who breaks the hands-free law and gets into an accident could be cited for a violation. That can support your claim that they were being a reckless driver. This is just one of the car accident scenarios you can discuss with the Thomas Law Offices.

We’re a dedicated team of experienced attorneys who prioritize every client. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you need to know what your options are for finding a remedy. Call to schedule a free case evaluation today. We’re standing by to listen.