CHAPTER 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES

625 ILCS 5/12-205.1

Sec. 12-205.1. Implements of husbandry or slow-moving vehicles-Display of amber signal lamp. Every animal drawn vehicle, farm tractor, implement of husbandry and special mobile equipment, except when used for road construction or maintenance within the limits of a construction or maintenance project where traffic control devices are used in compliance with the applicable provisions of the manual and specifications adopted under Section 11-301 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, when operated on a highway during a time when lighted lamps are required by Section 12-201 of this Chapter, shall display to the rear at least one flashing amber signal lamp mounted as high as practicable and of sufficient intensity to be visible for a distance of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight; provided, that only the rearmost vehicle of a combination of vehicles coupled together need display such lamp. The flashing amber signal lamp may be operated lighted during daylight hours when other lamps are not required to be lighted when vehicles authorized in this Section are operated on a highway. Implements of husbandry manufactured on or after January 1, 2003 and operated on public roads between sunset and sunrise shall display markings and lighting that meet or exceed the design, performance, and mounting specifications adopted by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and published by that body as ASAE S279.11 APR01.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/12-205.1
Offense Description
No lights when required – specific vehicle
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 5/12-205.1 (No lights when required – specific vehicle) 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 8367

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
No lights when required – specific vehicle Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-205.1 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8367 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 12-205.1. Implements of husbandry or slow-moving vehicles-Display of amber signal lamp. Every animal drawn vehicle, farm tractor, implement of husbandry and special mobile equipment, except when used for road construction or maintenance within the limits of a construction or maintenance project where traffic control devices are used in compliance with the applicable provisions of the manual and specifications adopted under Section 11-301 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, when operated on a highway during a time when lighted lamps are required by Section 12-201 of this Chapter, shall display to the rear at least one flashing amber signal lamp mounted as high as practicable and of sufficient intensity to be visible for a distance of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight; provided, that only the rearmost vehicle of a combination of vehicles coupled together need display such lamp. The flashing amber signal lamp may be operated lighted during daylight hours when other lamps are not required to be lighted when vehicles authorized in this Section are operated on a highway. Implements of husbandry manufactured on or after January 1, 2003 and operated on public roads between sunset and sunrise shall display markings and lighting that meet or exceed the design, performance, and mounting specifications adopted by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and published by that body as ASAE S279.11 APR01.

(Source: P.A. 91-505, eff. 1-1-00; 92-820, eff. 8-21-02.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/12-205.1 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/12-205.1 (No lights when required – specific vehicle) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/12-205.1 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 5/12-205.1 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 5/12-205.1?

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 5/12-205.1 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-205.1 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-12-205.1
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes