Public Act 93-0186
SB1453 Enrolled LRB093 03407 DRH 03426 b
AN ACT in relation to vehicles.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by
changing Section 15-111 as follows:
(625 ILCS 5/15-111) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)
Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
(a) On non-designated highways, no vehicle or
combination of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires may be
operated, unladen or with load, when the total weight
transmitted to the road surface exceeds 18,000 pounds on a
single axle or 32,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle
within the tandem exceeding 18,000 pounds except:
(1) when a different limit is established and
posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code;
(2) vehicles for which the Department of
Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code;
(3) tow trucks subject to the conditions provided
in subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a
single rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle;
(4) any single axle of a 2-axle truck weighing
36,000 pounds or less and not a part of a combination of
vehicles, shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;
(5) any single axle of a 2-axle truck equipped with
a personnel lift or digger derrick, weighing 36,000
pounds or less, owned and operated by a public utility,
shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;
(6) any single axle of a 2-axle truck specially
equipped with a front loading compactor used exclusively
for garbage, refuse, or recycling may not exceed 20,000
pounds per axle, provided that the gross weight of the
vehicle does not exceed 40,000 pounds;
(7) a truck, not in combination and specially
equipped with a selfcompactor or an industrial roll-off
hoist and roll-off container, used exclusively for
garbage or refuse operations may, when laden, transmit
upon the road surface the following maximum weights:
22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem
axle;
(8) a truck, not in combination and used
exclusively for the collection of rendering materials,
may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface the
following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single
axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
(9) tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered as a
Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
model year of 2014 2004 and first registered in Illinois
prior to January 1, 2015 2005, with a distance greater
than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches between any
series of 2 axles, is allowed a combined weight on the
series not to exceed 36,000 pounds and neither axle of
the series may exceed 18,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this
type manufactured after the model year of 2014 2004 or
first registered in Illinois after December 31, 2014 2004
may not exceed a combined weight of 32,000 pounds through
the series of 2 axles and neither axle of the series may
exceed 18,000 pounds;
(10) tandem axles on a 4-axle truck mixer, whose
fourth axle is a road surface engaging mixer trailing
axle, registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used
exclusively for the mixing and transportation of concrete
and manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2014
2004 and first registered in Illinois prior to January 1,
2015 2005, with a distance greater than 72 inches but not
more than 96 inches between any series of 2 axles, is
allowed a combined weight on the series not to exceed
36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may exceed
18,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured
after the model year of 2014 2004 or first registered in
Illinois after December 31, 2014 2004 may not exceed a
combined weight of 32,000 pounds through the series of 2
axles and neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000
pounds;
(11) 4-axle vehicles or a 5 or more axle
combination of vehicles: The weight transmitted upon the
road surface through any series of 3 axles whose centers
are more than 96 inches apart, measured between extreme
axles in the series, may not exceed those allowed in the
table contained in subsection (f) of this Section. No
axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum
weight permitted under this Section for a single or
tandem axle.
No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
(b) On non-designated highways, the gross weight of
vehicles and combination of vehicles including the weight of
the vehicle or combination and its maximum load shall be
subject to the foregoing limitations and further shall not
exceed the following gross weights dependent upon the number
of axles and distance between extreme axles of the vehicle or
combination measured longitudinally to the nearest foot.
VEHICLES HAVING 2 AXLES ....................... 36,000 pounds
VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
HAVING 3 AXLES
With Tandem With or
Axles Without
Tandem Axles
Minimum Minimum
distance to Maximum distance to Maximum
nearest foot Gross nearest foot Gross
between Weight between Weight
extreme axles (pounds) extreme axles (pounds)
10 feet 41,000 16 feet 46,000
11 42,000 17 47,000
12 43,000 18 47,500
13 44,000 19 48,000
14 44,500 20 49,000
15 45,000 21 feet or more 50,000
VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
HAVING 4 AXLES
Minimum Minimum
distance to Maximum distance to Maximum
nearest foot Gross nearest foot Gross
between Weight between Weight
extreme axles (pounds) extreme axles (pounds)
15 feet 50,000 26 feet 57,500
16 50,500 27 58,000
17 51,500 28 58,500
18 52,000 29 59,500
19 52,500 30 60,000
20 53,500 31 60,500
21 54,000 32 61,500
22 54,500 33 62,000
23 55,500 34 62,500
24 56,000 35 63,500
25 56,500 36 feet or more 64,000
A vehicle not in a combination having more than 4 axles
may not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (b)
for 4 axles measured between the extreme axles of the
vehicle.
COMBINATIONS HAVING 5 OR MORE AXLES
Minimum distance to Maximum
nearest foot between Gross Weight
extreme axles (pounds)
42 feet or less 72,000
43 73,000
44 feet or more 73,280
VEHICLES OPERATING ON CRAWLER TYPE TRACKS ..... 40,000 pounds
TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SELFCOMPACTORS
OR ROLL-OFF HOISTS AND ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS FOR GARBAGE
OR REFUSE HAULS ONLY AND TRUCKS USED FOR
THE COLLECTION OF RENDERING MATERIALS
On Highway Not Part of National System
of Interstate and Defense Highways
with 2 axles 36,000 pounds
with 3 axles 54,000 pounds
TWO AXLE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH
A FRONT LOADING COMPACTOR USED EXCLUSIVELY
FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE, OR RECYCLING
with 2 axles 40,000 pounds
(c) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
permit by ordinance axle loads on 2 axle motor vehicles 33
1/2% above those provided for herein, but the increase shall
not become effective until the city has officially notified
the Department of the passage of the ordinance and shall not
apply to those vehicles when outside of the limits of the
city, nor shall the gross weight of any 2 axle motor vehicle
operating over any street of the city exceed 40,000 pounds.
(d) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
(including loads) operated by a public utility when
transporting equipment required for emergency repair of
public utility facilities or properties or water wells.
A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck and a
disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles, that
exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code, may be
operated on a public highway in this State provided that
neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being towed nor
the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight limitations
permitted under this Chapter. During the towing operation,
neither the tow truck nor the vehicle combination shall
exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear axle and 44,000 pounds
on a tandem rear axle, provided the towing vehicle:
(1) is specifically designed as a tow truck having
a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds
and is equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes
are required only if the towing vehicle is towing a
vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination that
is equipped with air brakes;
(2) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
in all directions;
(3) is capable of utilizing the lighting and
braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of
vehicles; and
(4) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles
from the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any
additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon
issuance of authorization for that movement under the
provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this
Code.
Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck
license plate must cover the operating empty weight of the
tow truck only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall
be covered by a valid license plate issued to the owner or
operator of the vehicle being towed and displayed on that
vehicle. If no valid plate issued to the owner or operator of
that vehicle is displayed on that vehicle, or the plate
displayed on that vehicle does not cover the weight of the
vehicle, the weight of the vehicle shall be covered by the
third tow truck plate issued to the owner or operator of the
tow truck and temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed.
The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer
from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the
officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to
the nearest place of safety.
For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the
manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
(e) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
through 15-319 of this Chapter.
(f) On designated Class I, II, or III highways and the
National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, no
vehicle or combination of vehicles with pneumatic tires may
be operated, unladen or with load, when the total weight on
the road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds on a
single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle
within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds
gross weight for vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or
a total weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles in
excess of that weight produced by the application of the
following formula: W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by
N-1) + 12N + 36, where "W" equals overall total weight on any
group of 2 or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500
pounds, "L" equals the distance measured to the nearest foot
between extremes of any group of 2 or more consecutive axles,
and "N" equals the number of axles in the group under
consideration.
The above formula when expressed in tabular form results
in allowable loads as follows:
Distance measured
to the nearest
foot between the
extremes of any Maximum weight in pounds
group of 2 or of any group of
more consecutive 2 or more consecutive axles
axles
feet 2 axles 3 axles 4 axles 5 axles 6 axles
4 34,000
5 34,000
6 34,000
7 34,000
8 38,000* 42,000
9 39,000 42,500
10 40,000 43,500
11 44,000
12 45,000 50,000
13 45,500 50,500
14 46,500 51,500
15 47,000 52,000
16 48,000 52,500 58,000
17 48,500 53,500 58,500
18 49,500 54,000 59,000
19 50,000 54,500 60,000
20 51,000 55,500 60,500 66,000
21 51,500 56,000 61,000 66,500
22 52,500 56,500 61,500 67,000
23 53,000 57,500 62,500 68,000
24 54,000 58,000 63,000 68,500
25 54,500 58,500 63,500 69,000
26 55,500 59,500 64,000 69,500
27 56,000 60,000 65,000 70,000
28 57,000 60,500 65,500 71,000
29 57,500 61,500 66,000 71,500
30 58,500 62,000 66,500 72,000
31 59,000 62,500 67,500 72,500
32 60,000 63,500 68,000 73,000
33 64,000 68,500 74,000
34 64,500 69,000 74,500
35 65,500 70,000 75,000
36 66,000 70,500 75,500
37 66,500 71,000 76,000
38 67,500 72,000 77,000
39 68,000 72,500 77,500
40 68,500 73,000 78,000
41 69,500 73,500 78,500
42 70,000 74,000 79,000
43 70,500 75,000 80,000
44 71,500 75,500
45 72,000 76,000
46 72,500 76,500
47 73,500 77,500
48 74,000 78,000
49 74,500 78,500
50 75,500 79,000
51 76,000 80,000
52 76,500
53 77,500
54 78,000
55 78,500
56 79,500
57 80,000
*If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
resulting from the application of the formula.
Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles
may not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f)
for 4 axles measured between the extreme axles of the
vehicle.
Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may
not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for
6 axles measured between the extreme axles of the
combination.
Local authorities and road district highway
commissioners, with respect to streets and highways under
their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight
on any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on
designated highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving
notice are erected upon the street or highway or portion of
any street or highway affected by the ordinance or
resolution.
The following are exceptions to the above formula:
(1) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry
a total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall
distance between the first and last axles of the
consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
(2) Vehicles for which a different limit is
established and posted in accordance with Section 15-316
of this Code.
(3) Vehicles for which the Department of
Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
(4) Tow trucks subject to the conditions provided
in subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a
single rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle.
(5) A tandem axle on a 3-axle truck registered as a
Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
model year of 2014 2004, and registered in Illinois prior
to January 1, 2015 2005, with a distance between 2 axles
in a series greater than 72 inches but not more than 96
inches may not exceed a total weight of 36,000 pounds and
neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds.
(6) A truck not in combination, equipped with a
self compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and
roll-off container, used exclusively for garbage or
refuse operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
road surface, except when on part of the National System
of Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on
a tandem axle; 36,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
(7) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
prior to or in the model year of 2014 2004, and
registered in Illinois prior to January 1, 2015 2005,
having 5 axles with a distance of 42 feet or less between
extreme axles, may not exceed the following maximum
weights: 18,000 pounds on a single axle; 32,000 pounds on
a tandem axle; and 72,000 pounds gross weight. This
combination of vehicles is not subject to the bridge
formula. For all those combinations of vehicles that
include a semitrailer manufactured after the effective
date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly,
the overall distance between the first and last axles of
the 2 sets of tandems must be 18 feet 6 inches or more.
Any combination of vehicles that has had its cargo
container replaced in its entirety after December 31,
2014 2004 may not exceed the weights allowed by the
bridge formula.
No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
(f-1) A vehicle and load not exceeding 73,280 pounds is
allowed access as follows:
(1) From any State designated highway onto any
county, township, or municipal highway for a distance of
5 highway miles for the purpose of loading and unloading,
provided:
(A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8
feet 6 inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
(B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
(C) The route is not being used as a
thoroughfare between State designated highways.
(2) From any State designated highway onto any
county or township highway for a distance of 5 highway
miles, or any municipal highway for a distance of one
highway mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and
rest, provided:
(A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8
feet 6 inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
(B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
(C) The route is not being used as a
thoroughfare between State designated highways.
(f-2) A vehicle and load greater than 73,280 pounds in
weight but not exceeding 80,000 pounds is allowed access as
follows:
(1) From a Class I highway onto any street or
highway for a distance of one highway mile for the
purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and
rest, provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
(2) From a Class I, II, or III highway onto any
State highway or any local designated highway for a
distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading,
unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
designation of highways under this subsection.
(g) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure
constituting part of a highway with a gross weight that is
greater than the maximum weight permitted by the Department,
when the structure is sign posted as provided in this
Section.
(h) The Department upon request from any local authority
shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an
investigation of any bridge or other elevated structure
constituting a part of a highway, and if it finds that the
structure cannot with safety to itself withstand the weight
of vehicles otherwise permissible under this Code the
Department shall determine and declare the maximum weight of
vehicles that the structures can withstand, and shall cause
or permit suitable signs stating maximum weight to be erected
and maintained before each end of the structure. No person
shall operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles over any
structure with a gross weight that is greater than the posted
maximum weight.
(i) Upon the trial of any person charged with a
violation of subsections (g) or (h) of this Section, proof of
the determination of the maximum allowable weight by the
Department and the existence of the signs, constitutes
conclusive evidence of the maximum weight that can be
maintained with safety to the bridge or structure.
(Source: P.A. 92-417, eff. 1-1-02.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect
January 1, 2004.