CHAPTER 625 ILCS 40/, SNOWMOBILE REGISTRATION AND SAFETY ACT

625 ILCS 40/5-2

Sec. 5-2. Operation on Highways. It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile on a highway in this State except as follows:

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 40/5-2
Offense Description
Illegal operation on a roadway
Offense Classification
Petty Offense
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 40/5-2 (Illegal operation on a roadway) is classified as a Petty Offense. Statutory sentencing scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Petty Offense

No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000

Court Appearance Mandate Release on Notice (No Mandate)

Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Petty Offense
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8531

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Illegal operation on a roadway Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-2 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8531 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 5-2. Operation on Highways. It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile on a highway in this State except as follows:

A. On highways other than tollways, interstate highways and fully or limited access-controlled highways snowmobiles may make a direct crossing provided:

(1)

(1) the crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and (2) the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing a roadway; and (3) the operator yields the right of way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes a hazard. B. On highways other than tollways, interstate highways and fully or limited access-controlled highways snowmobiles may be operated not less than 10 feet from the roadway and in the same direction as traffic. On such highways, other than State highways, the corporate authorities of a city, village or incorporated town may adopt ordinances providing for variance from the 10-foot separation requirement of this subsection, including ordinances permitting the operation of snowmobiles upon the roadways of such highways, other than State highways, within city, village or town limits. In addition, the corporate authorities of any unit of local government with jurisdiction over such highways may adopt ordinances authorizing the operation of snowmobiles within 10 feet of the roadway to avoid obstructions or hazardous terrain. Other than for State highways, corporate authorities of a city, village or incorporated town may adopt ordinances providing for trails, including the designation of the roadways of highways referred to in this paragraph as snowmobile trails, and regulating snowmobile operation within city, village or town limits.

C. On highways other than tollways, interstate highways and fully or limited access-controlled highways snowmobiles may be operated on roadways when it is necessary to cross a bridge or culvert or when it is impracticable to gain immediate access to an area adjacent to a highway where a snowmobile is to be operated.

D. Corporate authorities of a city, village or incorporated town may by ordinance designate 1 or more specific public highways or streets within their jurisdiction as egress and ingress routes for the use of snowmobiles. In the event that such public highways or streets are under the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois, express written consent of the Illinois Department of Transportation shall be required. Corporate authorities acting under the authority of this paragraph D shall erect and maintain signs giving proper notice thereof.

E. Snowmobiles may be lawfully driven or operated upon those highways where posted with signs giving proper notice and erected and maintained by the township road commissioner. A township or township road commissioner shall not be liable for any personal injuries caused as a result of the operation of a snowmobile on such highways. For purposes of this paragraph E, "highways" are defined as township roads pursuant to Section 2-205 of the Illinois Highway Code.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 40/5-2 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 40/5-2 (Illegal operation on a roadway) is classified as a Petty Offense.

Sentencing Scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 40/5-2 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

No Mandatory Court Appearance (Pre-Set Bond / Notice to Appear): Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 40/5-2 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 40/5-2?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 625 ILCS 40/5-2 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 40/5-2 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-40-5-2
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes