CHAPTER 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES

625 ILCS 5/12-207

Sec. 12-207. Spot lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/12-207
Offense Description
Improper use of more than one spot lamp
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 5/12-207 (Improper use of more than one spot lamp) 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 8368, 8369

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (2)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Improper use of more than one spot lamp 625 ILCS 5/12-207(a) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-207(a) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8368 ILGA.gov ->
Improper use of more than three auxiliary driving lamps 625 ILCS 5/12-207(b) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-207(b) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8369 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 12-207. Spot lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.

(a)

(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spot lamp that shall emit a white light without glare and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle.

(b)

(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed 3 auxiliary driving lamps showing white light, including white light emitted by a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp, or light of a yellow or amber tint, mounted forward facing on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. As used in this subsection, "auxiliary driving lamp" means a lamp, whether temporarily or permanently installed on a vehicle, not originally installed by the manufacturer at the original point of assembly.

(c)

(c) The restrictions of subsections 12-207 (a) and 12-207 (b) of this Act shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or equipment used for snow and ice removal operations if owned or operated by or for any governmental body.

(d)

(d) The minimum and maximum height restrictions prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 12-207 shall not apply to privately owned motor vehicles on which a snow plow is mounted, while in transit between or during snow and ice removal operations. This exemption shall apply only during the period from November 15 through April 1, and only when the snow plow blade, commonly referred to as a "moldboard", is properly and securely affixed to the front of the motor vehicle.

(Source: P.A. 103-706, eff. 1-1-25.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/12-207 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/12-207 (Improper use of more than one spot lamp) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/12-207 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 5/12-207 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 5/12-207?

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 5/12-207 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-207 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-12-207
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes