CHAPTER 6 - THE ILLINOIS DRIVER LICENSING LAW

625 ILCS 5/6-506

Sec. 6-506. Commercial motor vehicle driver - employer/owner responsibilities.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/6-506
Offense Description
Allowing unauthorized operation of a CMV (Employer) – Class A misdemeanor
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
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 5/6-506 (Allowing unauthorized operation of a CMV (Employer) – Class A misdemeanor) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

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 Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8167

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Allowing unauthorized operation of a CMV (Employer) – Class A misdemeanor Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/6-506 -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8167 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 6-506. Commercial motor vehicle driver - employer/owner responsibilities.

(a)

(a) No employer or commercial motor vehicle owner shall allow, permit, authorize, or require an employee to drive a commercial motor vehicle on the highways if he or she knows or should reasonably know that the employee:

(1)

(1) has a driver's license suspended, revoked or cancelled by any state; or (2) has lost the privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle in any state; or (3) has been disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle; or (4) has more than one CLP or CDL, except as provided by this UCDLA; or (5) is subject to or in violation of an "out-of-service" order; or (6) does not have a current CLP or CDL or a CLP or CDL with the proper class or endorsements. An employer may not use a driver to operate a CMV who violates any restriction on the driver's CLP or CDL. (b) No employer or commercial motor vehicle owner shall knowingly allow, permit, authorize, or require a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle in violation of any law or regulation pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossings.

(b-3) No employer or commercial motor vehicle owner shall knowingly allow, permit, authorize, or require a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle during any period in which the commercial motor vehicle is subject to an "out-of-service" order.

(b-5) No employer or commercial motor vehicle owner shall knowingly allow, permit, authorize, or require a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle during any period in which the motor carrier operation is subject to an "out-of-service" order.

(c)

(c) Any employer convicted of violating subsection (a), (b-3), or (b-5) of this Section, whether individually or in connection with one or more other persons, or as principal agent, or accessory, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 98-176 (see Section 10 of P.A. 98-722 and Section 10 of P.A. 99-414 for the effective date of changes made by P.A. 98-176); 98-722, eff. 7-16-14.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/6-506 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/6-506 (Allowing unauthorized operation of a CMV (Employer) – Class A misdemeanor) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/6-506 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/6-506 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 5/6-506?

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 5/6-506 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/6-506 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-6-506
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes