Illinois Lift Laws and Vehicle Equipment Laws

The Illinois Compiled Statutes (ICS) define the street legal laws for the state.

Vehicle dimensions in Illinois are limited to a width of 102 inches, a height of 13 feet 6 inches, and a single vehicle length of 42 feet.

Illinois requires that all tires be in safe condition. Tires must not have any exposed cords or bulges. There is a minimum tire tread depth of 1/16 inch. Tires are allowed to be grooved , just not any deeper than the original tread depth.

There are no laws specifically related to wheels found in the Illinois statutes.

Vehicles driven in Illinois are required to have brakes on all 4 wheels. The brakes must be capable of stopping the vehicle from a speed of 20 mph within 30 feet. A secondary, mechanical, parking brake is also required.

Illinois does not have any specific steering related laws.

A vehicle’s suspension cannot be modified so that it causes the vehicle’s bumper to be raised or lower more than 3 inches.

The maximum vehicle frame height in Illinois depends on the vehicle’s GVWR. The lowest portion of the vehicle’s body must not be more than 4 inches above the frame.

( Measured to the bottom of the frame. )

Front and rear bumpers are required in Illinois. Bumper heights are limited according to the vehicle’s GVWR.

( Measured to the bottom of the bumper. )

Mud flaps are required on pickup trucks in Illinois.

In addition to headlights and tail lights, vehicles in Illinois are allowed to have auxiliary lights. When a vehicle is equipped with extra lighting, no more than 4 front lights can be on at one time while driving.

( Measured to the center of the light. )

All vehicles are required to have windshields and windshield wipers in Illinois.

Mufflers are required on all vehicles in Illinois. Exhaust cutouts and bypasses are prohibited.

It is unclear whether or not Illinois has any engine swap or engine performance modification rules.

Several counties in Illinois currently require emissions testing.