Key points
If you are in or come upon a crash, stop in a safe place that does not block traffic and call 911.
Source: Handbook p. 54
“Stop your vehicle in a safe, well-lit public place that does not obstruct traffic, if able to do so. • Help any injured person if necessary or requested. • Call 911 immediately.”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 54A crash report is required for death, bodily injury or property damage over $1,500, regardless of fault.
Source: Handbook p. 54
“Regardless of fault, a crash report must be filed by the driver of a vehicle if the crash involves death, bodily injury, or property damage of more than $1,500.”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 54If any vehicle is uninsured, the report is required for property damage of more than $500.
Source: Handbook p. 54
“If any vehicle involved in the crash is uninsured, a report must be filed if property damage is more than $500 or more.”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 54A driver has 30 minutes to report a crash after it occurs.
Source: Handbook p. 55
“A driver has 30 minutes to report a crash after it occurs.”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 55Failing to report a crash can mean a fine up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail.
Source: Handbook p. 55
“Drivers who fail to report a vehicle crash may be fined up to $2,500 and given a jail sentence of up to one year.”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 55If you hit an unattended vehicle, leave your name, address and plate number if the owner cannot be found, and notify police.
Source: Handbook p. 55
“Leave your name, address, phone number and license plate number on the vehicle or property if the owner cannot be found. • Notify police.”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 55Minimum liability insurance is $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for more than one and $20,000 for property.
Source: Handbook p. 98
“$25,000 for injury or death of one person in a crash. • $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in a crash. • $20,000 for damage to property of another person.”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 98A mandatory insurance violation means losing your license for at least three months and a $100 reinstatement fee.
Source: Handbook p. 55
“Individuals convicted of mandatory insurance violations will lose their driving privileges for a minimum of three months and be required to pay a $100 reinstatement fee”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 55If smoke appears, pull off, turn off the engine, move away and call 911. Do not fight the fire yourself.
Source: Handbook p. 88
“If smoke appears, pull off the road. Turn off the engine, move away from your vehicle, and call 911. Vehicle fires can be very dangerous. Do not fight the fire yourself.”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 88If the brake pedal sinks to the floor, pump it. If that fails, use the parking brake and shift to a lower gear.
Source: Handbook p. 89
“If the brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor, pump it to build pressure. If that does not work, use the emergency or parking brake. To slow down, shift your vehicle into a lower gear.”
Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 89
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 911 | call immediately after a crash | Handbook p. 54 |
| $1,500 | property damage that requires a crash report | Handbook p. 54 |
| $500 | damage threshold when a vehicle is uninsured | Handbook p. 54 |
| 30 minutes | to report a crash | Handbook p. 55 |
| $2,500 | maximum fine for not reporting a crash | Handbook p. 55 |
| $25,000 | minimum coverage for one person | Handbook p. 98 |
| $50,000 | minimum coverage for more than one person | Handbook p. 98 |
| $20,000 | minimum property damage coverage | Handbook p. 98 |
| 3 months | minimum suspension for no insurance | Handbook p. 55 |
| $100 | reinstatement fee | Handbook p. 55 |
| 911 | call for a vehicle fire | Handbook p. 88 |
3 questions from the Illinois practice test
1. When must an Illinois driver file a crash report, and how quickly must a crash be reported?
- Only for injuries, within 24 hours
- For death, injury or damage over $1,500, or over $500 if a vehicle is uninsured, and within 30 minutes
- Only for damage over $10,000
- Never, police file all reports
Show answer
For death, injury or damage over $1,500, or over $500 if a vehicle is uninsured, and within 30 minutes. Regardless of fault, a crash report must be filed by the driver if the crash involves death, bodily injury, or property damage of more than $1,500, or more than $500 if a vehicle is uninsured, and a driver has 30 minutes to report a crash after it occurs. Failing to report can bring a fine up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail. Separately, a driver convicted of leaving the scene of a crash with damage over $1,000 faces suspension of driving privileges.
2. After a crash damages an unattended vehicle in Illinois, what should the driver do first?
- Move the unattended vehicle before stopping
- Leave immediately to avoid blocking the roadway
- Stop in an area away from traffic
- Wait for the owner without securing the scene
Show answer
Stop in an area away from traffic. For a crash involving damage to an unattended vehicle or other property, Illinois directs the driver to stop in an area away from traffic. The driver must then leave identifying information if the owner cannot be found, notify police, and complete required crash reports. Leaving immediately skips the first safety step, while moving someone else’s vehicle is not the stated duty. The memory cue is safety before paperwork: get out of the traffic path, then exchange information and report the damage.
3. If smoke appears from a vehicle while driving, what is the safest immediate response?
- Continue to the next service station
- Open the hood while remaining in traffic
- Pull off the road, turn off the engine, and move away
- Fight the fire before leaving the vehicle
Show answer
Pull off the road, turn off the engine, and move away. The manual treats a vehicle fire as a serious emergency. When smoke appears, pull off the road, turn off the engine, move away from the vehicle, and call 911. Continuing to drive can feed the fire and expose occupants to smoke. Opening the hood in a traffic lane adds danger, and the manual specifically says not to fight the fire yourself. Once everyone is at a safe distance, remain clear of the vehicle and wait for emergency responders.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with emergencies questions from the free Illinois practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 7: Traffic Violations/Crashes. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.