CHAPTER 11 - RULES OF THE ROAD

625 ILCS 5/11-701

Sec. 11-701. Drive on right side of roadway - exceptions.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/11-701
Offense Description
Driving in wrong lane
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 5/11-701 (Driving in wrong lane) 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 6608

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Driving in wrong lane Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-701 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 6608 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 11-701. Drive on right side of roadway - exceptions.

(a)

(a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movements; 2. When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the roadway; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the roadway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard; 3. Upon a roadway divided into 3 marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; 4. Upon a roadway restricted to one way traffic;

5. Whenever there is a single track paved road on one side of the public highway and 2 vehicles meet thereon, the driver on whose right is the wider shoulder shall give the right-of-way on such pavement to the other vehicle. (b) Upon a 2 lane roadway, providing for 2-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(c)

(c) Upon any roadway having 4 or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for 2-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under Subsection (a) 2. However, this Subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road or driveway.

(d)

(d) Upon an Interstate highway or fully access controlled freeway, a vehicle may not be driven in the left lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle.

(e)

(e) Subsection (d) of this Section does not apply:

(1)

(1) when no other vehicle is directly behind the vehicle in the left lane; (2) when traffic conditions and congestion make it impractical to drive in the right lane; (3) when snow and other inclement weather conditions make it necessary to drive in the left lane; (4) when obstructions or hazards exist in the right lane; (5) when a vehicle changes lanes to comply with Sections 11-907, 11-907.5, and 11-908 of this Code; (6) when, because of highway design, a vehicle must be driven in the left lane when preparing to exit; (7) on toll highways when necessary to use I-Pass, and on toll and other highways when driving in the left lane is required to comply with an official traffic control device; or (8) to law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles engaged in official duties and vehicles engaged in highway maintenance and construction operations. (Source: P.A. 99-681, eff. 1-1-17.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/11-701 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-701 (Driving in wrong lane) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/11-701 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 5/11-701 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 5/11-701?

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 5/11-701 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-701 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-11-701
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes