CHAPTER 3 - CERTIFICATES OF TITLE AND REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

625 ILCS 5/3-809

Sec. 3-809. Farm machinery, exempt vehicles and fertilizer spreaders; registration fee.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/3-809
Offense Description
Illegal operation of fertilizer spreader – over 30 mph, over 12-foot-wide or over 36,000 pounds gross
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 5/3-809 (Illegal operation of fertilizer spreader – over 30 mph, over 12-foot-wide or over 36,000 pounds gross) 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 8041

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Illegal operation of fertilizer spreader – over 30 mph, over 12-foot-wide or over 36,000 pounds gross 625 ILCS 5/3-809(c) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-809(c) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8041 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 3-809. Farm machinery, exempt vehicles and fertilizer spreaders; registration fee.

(a)

(a) Vehicles of the second division having a corn sheller, a well driller, hay press, clover huller, feed mixer and unloader, or other farm machinery permanently mounted thereon and used solely for transporting the same shall be registered upon the filing of a proper application and the payment of a registration fee of $13 per 2-year registration period. This registration fee of $13 shall be paid in full and shall not be reduced even though such registration is made after the beginning of the registration period.

(b)

(b) Vehicles exempt from registration under the provisions of subsection A of Section 3-402 of this Code, as amended, may, at the option of the owner, be identified as exempt vehicles by displaying registration plates issued by the Secretary of State. The owner thereof may apply for such permanent, non-transferable registration plates upon the filing of a proper application and the payment of a registration fee of $13. The application for and display of such registration plates for identification purposes by vehicles exempt from registration shall not be deemed as a waiver or rescission of its exempt status, nor make such vehicle subject to registration. Nothing in this Section prohibits the towing of another vehicle by the exempt vehicle if the towed vehicle:

(i)

(i) does not exceed the registered weight of 8,000 pounds; (ii) is used exclusively for transportation to and from the work site; (iii) is not used for carrying counter weights or other material related to the operation of the exempt vehicle while under tow; and (iv) displays proper and current registration plates.

(c)

(c) Any single unit self-propelled agricultural fertilizer implement, designed for both on and off road use, equipped with flotation tires and otherwise specially adapted for the application of plant food materials or agricultural chemicals, desiring to be operated upon the highways ladened with load shall be limited to a maximum gross weight of 36,000 pounds, restricted to a highway speed of not more than 30 miles per hour and a legal width of not more than 12 feet. Such vehicles shall be limited to the furthering of agricultural or horticultural pursuits and in furtherance of these pursuits, such vehicles may be operated upon the highway, within a 50-mile radius of their point of loading as indicated on the written or printed statement required by the Illinois Fertilizer Act of 1961, for the purpose of moving plant food materials or agricultural chemicals to the field, or from field to field, for the sole purpose of application.

Whenever any vehicle is operated in violation of subsection (c) of this Section, the owner or the driver of such vehicle shall be deemed guilty of a petty offense and either may be prosecuted for such violation.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; 101-481, eff. 1-1-20.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/3-809 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/3-809 (Illegal operation of fertilizer spreader – over 30 mph, over 12-foot-wide or over 36,000 pounds gross) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/3-809 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 5/3-809 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 5/3-809?

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 5/3-809 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/3-809 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-3-809
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes