CHAPTER 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES

625 ILCS 5/12-201

Sec. 12-201. When lighted lamps are required.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/12-201
Offense Description
Driving without lighted lamp – 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
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 5/12-201 (Driving without lighted lamp – 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 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 8361, 8362, 8363

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (5)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Driving without lighted lamp – motorcycle 625 ILCS 5/12-201(a) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-201(a) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8361 ILGA.gov ->
Driving without lights when required 625 ILCS 5/12-201(b) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-201(b) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
No red taillight – motorcycle 625 ILCS 5/12-201(b) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-201(b) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8362 ILGA.gov ->
Only one red taillight 625 ILCS 5/12-201(b) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-201(b) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
No rear registration plate light 625 ILCS 5/12-201(c) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-201(c) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8363 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 12-201. When lighted lamps are required.

(a)

(a) When operated upon any highway in this State, every motorcycle shall at all times exhibit at least one lighted lamp, showing a white light, including that emitted by a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp, or a light of a yellow or amber tint visible for at least 500 feet in the direction the motorcycle is proceeding. However, in lieu of such lighted lamp, a motorcycle may be equipped with and use a means of modulating the upper beam of the head lamp between high and a lower brightness. No such head lamp shall be modulated, except to otherwise comply with this Code, during times when lighted lamps are required for other motor vehicles.

(b)

(b) All other motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the frontmost of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, as set forth in 49 CFR 571.108, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise, at times when rain, snow, fog, or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers, and at any other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet. Parking lamps may be used in addition to but not in lieu of such head lamps. Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer shall also exhibit at least 2 lighted lamps, commonly known as tail lamps, which shall be mounted on the left rearmost and right rearmost of the vehicle so as to throw a red light visible for at least 500 feet in the reverse direction, except that a truck tractor or road tractor manufactured before January 1, 1968 and all motorcycles need be equipped with only one such tail lamp.

(c)

(c) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light a rear registration plate when required and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating a rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.

(d)

(d) A person shall install only head lamps that satisfy United States Department of Transportation regulations, as set forth in 49 CFR 571.108, and show white light, including that emitted by HID lamps, or light of a yellow or amber tint for use by a motor vehicle.

(e)

(e) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 103-706, eff. 1-1-25; 104-577, eff. 7-16-26.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/12-201 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/12-201 (Driving without lighted lamp – 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 5/12-201 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 5/12-201 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 5/12-201?

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 5/12-201 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-201 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-12-201
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes