In Illinois, one of the most common reasons that a person's driver's license is revoked is a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI). When a license is revoked, the license holder is prohibited from driving any motor vehicle. Driving with a revoked license is considered a Class A misdemeanor criminal offense in Illinois. Penalties include steep fines, community service, or even jail time.

Fortunately, the state of Illinois gives drivers a chance to regain either full or partial driving privileges after a revocation. If you want to reinstate your license after it was revoked, you will need to complete the steps required by the Illinois Secretary of State and attend a reinstatement hearing. Here are five tips to improve your chances of reinstating your driver's license after a revocation.

The more a truck weighs, the more damage the truck could potentially cause in an accident. Extremely heavy vehicles can also cause damage to roadways. Consequently, Illinois state law limits how much cargo a commercial truck such as a semi-truck can haul.

While the reasons for weight limitations are generally sound, the consequences of operating an overweight commercial vehicle can feel exorbitant. If the truck is found to be overweight – carrying more cargo than allowed by law – then the driver and his or her company can face significant fines. Depending on how far the truck is over its legal weight limit, the truck driver may even be required to unload some of its cargo in order to remain compliant.

Penalties for Exceeding Truck Weight Limitations

In Illinois, the fine associated with an overweight truck depends on how much the truck and cargo weigh above the limit. For example, operating a truck that exceeds the weight limitation by 2,000 lbs. is only a $100 fine, but the fine increases the heavier the truck and cargo are. Trucks that exceed the weight limitation by 5,001 lbs. or more are fined $1,500 at minimum. There are also additional fines for companies that receive four or more overweight violations within a one-year period.

With the new year comes multiple new laws and regulations in Illinois. One of the most significant pieces of legislation is the most recent amendment to the Illinois is the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T Act). Among many other important provisions, the Act limits when the state may suspend a person’s driver’s license.

Changes Being Implemented to Illinois Driver’s License Suspension Laws

In Illinois, a person's driver's license can be suspended for many different reasons. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, having too many driving violations or points on their license, and being involved in a hit-and-run accident are some of the most common reasons for suspension. The length of time a license is suspended varies depending on the violation but can range from six months to several years. During a period of suspension, it is illegal to drive and doing so can result in serious consequences, such as an extended suspension or even jail time.

The SAFE-T Act reduces the circumstances in which a person may have their license suspended. As of January 1, 2023, an individual can no longer face license suspension for:

Field sobriety tests are standard tests used to measure an individual’s balance, coordination, and cognitive abilities. They are usually administered by law enforcement officers to determine if a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Despite their widespread use, field sobriety tests have come under question in recent years for their accuracy in determining intoxication.

If you or a loved one are facing charges for driving under the influence (DUI) after failing a field sobriety test, contact a DUI defense lawyer for help.

Common Field Sobriety Tests

The three main types of field sobriety tests are the walk-and-turn test, the one-leg stand test, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test.

The term “reckless driving” is often used casually to refer to driving behavior that is unsafe or unpredictable. However, reckless driving has a specific definition under Illinois law and individuals convicted of reckless driving can face serious criminal penalties. If you or a loved one were arrested for reckless driving, it is important to get started on a defense strategy right away. Reach out to an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can help you understand your options and take the steps necessary to reduce your chances of conviction.  

Illinois Law Regarding Reckless Driving

The law specifically mentions two instances in which a driver may be charged with reckless driving. Intentionally driving a vehicle up a ramp or incline, such as a railroad crossing, to make the vehicle airborne is reckless driving. Reckless driving also includes any driving behavior that shows a “willful and wanton disregard for the safety of people or property.” This can include drag racing or excessive speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of lanes, running stop signals, braking abruptly, or other types of erratic driving.

Penalties for Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is typically considered a Class A misdemeanor. When someone is arrested for reckless driving, his or her vehicle may be impounded, and he or she may be taken to jail and required to post bond. Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to $2,500 in fines and up to a year in jail in Illinois. The penalties for reckless driving are much more severe when someone is injured or killed as a result of a motorist’s reckless driving. If injury or death results from reckless driving, the charge may be elevated to aggravated reckless driving which is a Class 4 felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of three years. Aggravated reckless driving resulting in serious injury or death of a child is a Class 3 felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years.