Required vehicle equipment

Key points

1. The foot brake must stop a car going 20 mph within 30 feet. The parking brake must do it within 55 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 92

   “The foot brake must be strong enough to stop a vehicle traveling at a speed of 20 mph within 30 feet. The emergency or parking brake must be strong enough to stop the vehicle in 55 feet at the same speed.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 92

2. Use headlights when objects 1,000 feet away cannot be seen.

   Source: Handbook p. 92

   “They should also be used when objects 1,000 feet away cannot be seen.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 92

3. Vehicles need two red taillights visible from 500 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 92

   “Taillights: Vehicles must have two red lights visible for 500 feet from behind.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 92

4. Turn signals must be visible from 300 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 92

   “must have right-and left-turn signals on the front and rear visible from 300 feet.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 92

5. A rearview mirror must let you see at least 200 feet behind your car.

   Source: Handbook p. 92

   “One rearview mirror is required so you can see at least 200 feet behind your car.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 92

6. Vehicles made in 1965 or later may not be sold or driven in Illinois without safety belts.

   Source: Handbook p. 92

   “Vehicles manufactured in 1965 or after may not be sold or operated in Illinois without safety belts.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 92

7. Only a 6-inch strip of tint is allowed along the top of the windshield.

   Source: Handbook p. 92

   “Tinted windows are not allowed on the front windshield. A 6-inch strip of tinting is allowed along the entire length at the top of the front windshield.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 92

8. It is illegal to lift a vehicle's body more than 3 inches from the chassis frame.

   Source: Handbook p. 93

   “lift the body from the chassis frame in excess of 3 inches.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 93

9. Loads extending 4 feet or more to the rear must be marked with a red flag during the day.

   Source: Handbook p. 93

   “Loads extending 4 feet or more to the rear of a vehicle must be marked with a red flag during the day.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 93

10. A sound system may not be heard 75 feet or more from a moving vehicle.

    Source: Handbook p. 36

    “Operate or permit to be operated any sound system (radio, tape player or disc player) at a volume that can be heard 75 feet or more from a vehicle being driven on a highway.”
    Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 36

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Illinois practice test

1. 1. From what distance must Illinois turn signals be visible?

   1. 50 feet
   2. 300 feet, front and rear
   3. 1,000 feet
   4. There is no distance requirement
   Show answer

   300 feet, front and rear. Vehicles, except motorcycles, trailers and semitrailers, must have right and left turn signals on the front and rear visible from 300 feet. Vehicles manufactured in 1965 or after may not be sold or operated without safety belts, vehicles of 9,000 pounds or less need front and rear bumpers, and a suspension may not be lifted more than 3 inches from the frame.

2. 2. Which vehicles may not be sold or operated in Illinois without safety belts?

   1. Only commercial vehicles
   2. Only vehicles built after 1990
   3. All vehicles regardless of year
   4. Vehicles manufactured in 1965 or after
   Show answer

   Vehicles manufactured in 1965 or after. Vehicles manufactured in 1965 or after may not be sold or operated in Illinois without safety belts. Other equipment rules require bumpers on vehicles of 9,000 pounds or less and all recreational vehicles, turn signals visible from 300 feet, no more than four 300 candlepower lights burning, and no suspension lift over 3 inches from the chassis frame. A vehicle used for the driving exam must have the required equipment.

3. 3. How loud may a vehicle sound system be in Illinois?

   1. Any volume with the windows closed
   2. It may not be audible 75 feet or more from a vehicle being driven on a highway
   3. There is no limit
   4. Audible up to 500 feet
   Show answer

   It may not be audible 75 feet or more from a vehicle being driven on a highway. It is illegal to operate or permit any sound system, such as a radio, tape player or disc player, at a volume that can be heard 75 feet or more from a vehicle being driven on a highway. The test is whether the sound reaches 75 feet, so closed windows do not make a louder volume legal, there is a limit, and 500 feet is far beyond it. At railroad crossings the manual also suggests rolling down windows and listening so other noises do not block out the sound of a train.

Source: the Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 12: Equipment For Safe Driving. 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.