Illinois Following-Distance & Headlight Rules

Question 1

Following-distance rule

Accepted Answer

Use the three-second rule: pick a fixed object on the road ahead such as a sign, tree, or overpass, and when the vehicle in front of you passes it, count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.' If your vehicle reaches the object before you finish the count, you are following too closely. The three-second rule assumes good road and weather; add more time in rain, fog, snow, ice, gravel, or heavy traffic. If a driver behind you is tailgating, move to another lane or slowly pull off the road and let the tailgater pass.

Question 2

Dim high beams within (ft) — oncoming

Accepted Answer

500

Question 3

Dim high beams within (ft) — following

Accepted Answer

300

Question 4

Headlight requirements

Accepted Answer

Headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise. Illinois also requires headlights any time your windshield wipers are operating, which captures rain, snow, fog, and any other condition that triggers wiper use. Headlights should also be on whenever you cannot see objects 1,000 feet away. Dim your high beams to low beams at least 500 feet before meeting an oncoming vehicle and at least 300 feet before approaching another vehicle from behind. Motorcycles and mopeds must keep their headlight on whenever they are being driven, day or night. License plate lights must be on whenever the headlights are on, and parking lights are required for any vehicle stopped on a highway at night (with limited urban exceptions).

Question 5

Motorcycle following rule

Accepted Answer

Allow at least three to four seconds of following distance when you are behind a motorcycle. The extra space gives the rider room to maneuver around hazards (potholes, oil spills, gravel, debris, railroad tracks) that a car would simply roll over, and time to brake if traffic stops. Dim your high beams when following a motorcycle, just as you would for any other vehicle. In dry conditions, a motorcycle can stop more quickly than a car, so closing distance can shrink fast; wet or icy pavement reverses that, since traction loss is more severe on two wheels.

Question 6

Cyclist safe-passing rule

Accepted Answer

When you pass a bicyclist on any Illinois road, including in a marked bike lane or on the shoulder, you must keep a minimum of 3 feet between your vehicle (measured from the edge of your side mirror) and the bicyclist. If you do not have 3 feet of clear passing space, you must wait until you can pass safely. Passing too close that causes a crash can result in criminal charges. Crowding or threatening a bicyclist is also prohibited. The same 3-foot rule applies to passing pedestrians who are walking on the road or shoulder.

Question 7

Move-over law (stopped emergency vehicles)

Accepted Answer

When approaching a stationary emergency, police, or maintenance vehicle that has activated oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights (blue, red, amber, white, or green), Illinois law requires you to yield, change to a lane away from the workers when it is safe, and proceed with caution. If a lane change is not possible, reduce speed to a level that is reasonable and proper for traffic conditions and stay slow until you are safely past. The same rule extends to disabled vehicles using hazard lights on a four-lane highway: move over if safe, otherwise slow down. Photography and the use of wireless/cellphones within 500 feet of an emergency scene are prohibited except in narrow circumstances. When a moving emergency vehicle approaches with siren and lights, pull immediately to the right edge of the road, stop if necessary, and remain stopped at a two-way intersection until the emergency vehicle has cleared.

Illinois Following-Distance & Headlight Rules

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