CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
SUBCHAPTER e: TRAFFIC SAFETY (EXCEPT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS)
PART 438 INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL VEHICLES
SECTION 438.APPENDIX C HORN THROUGH SEAT, DRIVER'S
Section 438.APPENDIX C Horn through Seat, Driver's
a) HORN
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
At least one horn shall be provided giving an audible warning at a distance of 200 feet and shall be conveniently controlled from the driver's seated position. (See Section 12-601 of the Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law.)
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Horn control is:
Missing;
Defective;
Not audible; or
Not readily accessible from the driver's seated position.
b) LIGHTS
Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights that conform to applicable FMVSS are acceptable. Two or more lights or reflectors may be combined if the requirements for each light or reflector are met. However, no clearance light shall be combined with a tail light. (See 49 CFR 571.108 - S6.3.) This subsection (b) provides minimal lighting requirements that must be met to pass inspection. Additional lights that are not required by this subsection are not subject to inspection or rejection criteria.
AGENCY NOTE: The following devices shall be excluded when measuring the vehicle's width:
Exterior, side-mounted mirror assemblies;
Side-mounted turn signals;
Front and rear bumpers;
Flexible fender skirts or moldings;
Side-mounted clearance lights and reflectors; and
Any other required light or device.
1) Backup
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
At least one white light shall be provided. Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
Exception: Vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 are exempt.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Backup light:
Is missing;
Does not function properly; or
Is an improper color.
2) Clearance, Front
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One amber light on each side, for a total of two front clearance lights. The lights must be located on the same level as high as practicable on the vertical centerline to indicate the width of the vehicle.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108. May be combined with sidemarker light provided the requirements for both lights are met.
Exception: Vehicles that measure less than 80 inches wide are exempt.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Front clearance lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
3) Clearance, Rear
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One red light on each side, for a total of two rear clearance lights. The lights must be located on the same level as high as practicable on the vertical centerline to indicate the overall width of the vehicle.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
Exception: Vehicles that measure less than 80 inches wide are exempt.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Rear clearance lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
4) Identification (Cluster), Front
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Three amber lights mounted on the vertical centerline of the vehicle. All 3 lights must be located on the same level and as close as practicable to the top of the vehicle. The lamp centers must be spaced not less than 6 inches or more than 12 inches apart.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
Exception: Vehicles that measure less than 80 inches wide are exempt.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Front identification lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
5) Identification (Cluster), Rear
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Three red lights mounted on the rear vertical centerline of the vehicle. One light must be located as close as practicable to the vehicle's vertical centerline. One light must be located on each side with lamp centers spaced not less than 6 inches or more than 12 inches apart. All 3 lights must be located on the same level as close as practicable to the top of the vehicle.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
Exception: Vehicles that measure less than 80 inches wide are exempt.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Rear identification lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
6) Headlights
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
At least two headlights that function, at a minimum, on the low beam setting must be located on the front of the vehicle at the same height with an equal number at each side of the vertical centerline as far apart as practicable.
The headlights must be located not less than 22 inches nor more than 54 inches above the road surface, measured from the center of the lamp at curb height.
Headlights must be securely attached.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Headlights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are not securely attached.
7) License Plate
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One white light located at rear license plate to illuminate the license plate from the top or sides.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108. May be combined with one of the tail lights.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
License plate light:
Is missing;
Does not function properly;
Is not in correct location; or
Is an improper color.
8) Parking Lights
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One white or amber light on each side, for a total of two front parking lights. The lights must be located on the front of the vehicle on each side of the vertical centerline as far apart as practicable.
The parking lights must be located between 15 to 72 inches above the road surface, measured from the center of the lamp at curb height.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
Exception: Vehicles 80 or more inches in overall width are exempt.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Parking lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
9) Sidemarker, Front
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One amber light mounted as far to the front as practicable on each side of the vehicle, for a total of two front sidemarker lights.
The sidemarker lights must be located not less than 15 inches above the road surface measured from the center of the lamp at curb height.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Front sidemarker lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
10) Sidemarker, Rear
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One red light mounted as far to the rear as practicable on each side of the vehicle, for a total of two rear sidemarker lights.
The sidemarker lights must be located not less than 15 inches above the road surface measured from the center of the lamp at curb height.
On the rear of a trailer, the rear sidemarker lights cannot be more than 60 inches above the road surface measured from the center of the lamp at curb height.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Rear sidemarker lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
11) Stop
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One red light on each side of the rear vertical centerline of the vehicle, for a total of two rear stop lights. The stop lights must be located at the same height and as far apart as practicable.
The stop lights must be located between 15 and 72 inches above the road surface, measured from the center of the lamp at curb height.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
For vehicles with an overall width of less than 80 inches, a high mounted stop light is required (may be two lights).
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Stop lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
12) Tail
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One red light on each side of the rear vertical centerline of the vehicle, for a total of two rear tail lights. The tail lights must be located at the same height and as far apart as practicable.
The tail lights must be located between 15 and 72 inches above the road surface, measured from the center of the lamp at curb height.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Tail lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
13) Turn Signal, Front
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One amber light located on each side of the vertical centerline of the vehicle, for a total of two front turn signal lights. The turn signals must be located at the same height and as far apart as practicable.
The front turn signals must be located not less than 15 nor more than 83 inches above the road surface, measured from the center of the lamp at curb height. The lights may be located on the fender or the cowl, if practicable.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Front turn signal lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
14) Turn Signal, Rear
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One amber or red light located on each side of the vertical centerline of the vehicle, for a total of two rear turn signal lights. The turn signals must be located at the same height and as far apart as practicable.
The rear turn signals must be located on the same level between 15 and 83 inches above the road surface, measured from the center of the lamp at curb height.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Rear turn signal lights:
Are missing;
Do not function properly;
Are not in correct location; or
Are an improper color.
15) Warning Hazards, Front and Rear
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Operate four-way warning hazard lights to check performance of front and rear lights.
Must conform to federal standard 49 CFR 571.108.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Four-way warning hazards do not operate properly.
c) MIRRORS
AGENCY NOTE: Driver education training vehicles must comply with the mirror requirements in Appendix H(c).
1) Buses and Trucks
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Every bus and truck shall be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, one at each side, securely attached to the outside of the motor vehicle, and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear, along both sides of the vehicle.
Rear-vision mirrors and their replacements shall conform to, at a minimum, the requirements of 49 CFR 571.111 in force at the time the vehicle was manufactured.
Exception: Only one outside mirror is required, located on the driver's side, on trucks that are so constructed that the driver has a view to the rear by means of an interior mirror.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Required mirrors:
Are missing;
Are not in correct location;
Are not securely attached;
Are obstructed;
Are cracked, pitted or clouded; or
Do not adjust.
2) All Other Special Vehicles
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Exterior Rear View, Left Side
Every motor vehicle operated singly or when towing another vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver's view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such motor vehicle. (IVC Section 12-502) From the seated driver's position, visually inspect the exterior mirror on driver's side for a clear and reasonably unobstructed view to the rear. Look for the mirror's correct location, secure attachment and adjustability.
Interior Rear View
From the seated driver's position, visually inspect interior mirror for correct location, secure attachment and adjustability.
If interior rearview mirror does not provide a clear view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle, an exterior rearview mirror shall be located on the right side of the vehicle.
Exterior Rear View, Right Side (Optional)
If the mirror is required, inspect the exterior mirror on passenger's side for secure attachment, adjustability and a clear and reasonably unobstructed view to the rear.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Required mirrors:
Are missing;
Are not in correct location;
Are not securely attached;
Are obstructed;
Are cracked, pitted or clouded; or
Do not adjust.
d) PEDALS (ACCELERATOR, SERVICE BRAKE, CLUTCH, EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE)
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Brake pedal must be covered with rigid nonslip material.
Manufactured extensions are allowed. Brake pedal extensions must be covered with nonslip material. Nonmanufactured pedal extensions are prohibited.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Brake pedal is not covered with rigid nonslip material.
Manufactured pedal extensions are not securely attached.
Pedal extensions are not from a manufacturer.
e) REFLECTORS
Two or more lights or reflectors may be combined if the requirements for each light or reflector are met. (See 49 CFR 571.108 - S6.3.)
1) Left and Right Side, Front
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One amber reflector shall be located on the left and right sides of the vehicle. The reflectors shall be no more than 12 inches from the front on each side. The reflectors must be mounted at a height not less than 15 inches and not more than 60 inches above the surface of the road. (See IVC Section 12-202.)
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Reflectors are missing.
Reflective material is damaged.
Reflectors are not located or positioned as required.
2) Left and Right Side, Midpoint
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
On any vehicle more than 30 feet long, one amber reflector must also be provided at or near midpoint between front and rear side reflectors on both sides of the vehicle. (See 49 CFR 571.108.)
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Reflectors are missing.
Reflective material is damaged.
Reflectors are not located or positioned as required.
3) Left and Right Side, Rear
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One red reflector shall be located on the left and right sides of the vehicle. The reflectors shall be no more than 12 inches from the rear on each side. The reflectors must be mounted at a height not less than 15 inches and not more than 60 inches above the surface of the road. (See IVC Section 12-202.)
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Reflectors are missing.
Reflective material is damaged.
Reflectors are not located or positioned as required.
4) Rear
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Two red reflectors on rear body within 12 inches of lower right and lower left corners. (See IVC Section 12-202.)
Exception: Vehicles that measure less than 80 inches wide are exempt.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Reflectors are missing.
Reflective material is damaged.
Reflectors are not located or positioned as required.
f) SEAT, DRIVER'S
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Inspect the driver's seat for proper operation of adjusting mechanism and verify that the seat is securely anchored to the floor.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Adjusting mechanism for driver's seat slips out of position.
Seat is not securely anchored to the floor.