CHAPTER 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES

625 ILCS 5/12-211

Sec. 12-211. Number of driving lamps required or permitted.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/12-211
Offense Description
Improper lighting – one headlamp
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 5/12-211 (Improper lighting – one headlamp) 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 6633
Search in Live Workstation ➔ Official ILGA Statute (ilga.gov) ->

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Improper lighting – one headlamp Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-211 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 6633 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 12-211. Number of driving lamps required or permitted.

(a)

(a) At all times specified in Section 12-201, at least 2 lighted driving lamps shall be displayed, one on each side of the front of every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.

(b)

(b) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with driving lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary driving lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof, not more than a total of 4 of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.

(Source: P.A. 86-1236.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/12-211 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/12-211 (Improper lighting – one headlamp) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/12-211 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 5/12-211 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 5/12-211?

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 5/12-211 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-211 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-12-211
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes
625 ILCS 5/12-201

Driving without lighted lamp – motorcycle

Petty Offense
625 ILCS 5/12-202

Insufficient clearance, identification or side marker lamps

Petty Offense
625 ILCS 5/12-203

Insufficient lighting on parked vehicle

Petty Offense
625 ILCS 5/12-204

Improper lamp or flag on projected load

Petty Offense