CHAPTER 11 - RULES OF THE ROAD

625 ILCS 5/11-1403

Sec. 11-1403. Riding on motorcycles.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/11-1403
Offense Description
Improper riding on motorcycle
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
SOS Administrative Action: Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-1403 (Improper riding on motorcycle) 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 SOS Administrative Action

Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).

Classification Petty Offense
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8317, 8309

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (3)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Improper riding on motorcycle Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-1403 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8317 ILGA.gov ->
Illegal handlebars on motorcycle 625 ILCS 5/11-1403(c) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-1403(c) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8309 ILGA.gov ->
Illegal operation of motorcycles – no hands 625 ILCS 5/11-1403(d) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-1403(d) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 11-1403. Riding on motorcycles.

(a)

(a) A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for 2 persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.

(b)

(b) A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.

(c)

(c) No person shall operate any motorcycle with handlebar grips higher than the height of the head of the operator when the operator is seated in the normal driving position astride that portion of the seat or saddle occupied by the operator.

(d)

(d) The operator of any motorcycle shall keep at least one hand on a handlebar grip at all times the motorcycle is in motion.

(e)

(e) The operator of a motorcycle may not transport a passenger unless the passenger is capable of resting a foot on the footrest while the motorcycle is in motion.

(Source: P.A. 102-344, eff. 1-1-22.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/11-1403 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-1403 (Improper riding on motorcycle) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/11-1403 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 5/11-1403 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 5/11-1403?

SOS Administrative Action: Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).

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 5/11-1403 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-1403 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-11-1403
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes