Vehicle lifts in Illinois: plate visibility and lighting rules

For an Illinois driver adding a scooter or wheelchair lift, the legal question is narrow but easy to get wrong: once the lift is mounted, can a police officer behind you still read the plate, day and night? The practical question is just as pressing in a state with real winters: should the device ride outside at all?

The Illinois Vehicle Code speaks clearly to the first question, and the climate helps answer the second. Here is the plate law in its own words, followed by lifts that suit Illinois roads and parking.

The plate and lamp rules in the Illinois Vehicle Code

Illinois expects two plates on an ordinary passenger vehicle: under 625 ILCS 5/3-413(a), plates "shall be attached thereto, one in the frontmost and one in the rearmost" (625 ILCS 5/3-413). A rear lift interacts with the rear one.

Subsection (b) is the rule to measure your setup against. Every plate "shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height of not less than 5 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained in a condition to be clearly legible, free from any materials that would obstruct the visibility of the plate." The only carve-out in that subsection is for vehicles with rear loaded motorized forklifts; there is none for mobility lifts.

With a minimum of just 5 inches, height is rarely the problem for a plate relocated to a carrier. Visibility is the harder test. A folded platform, a scooter seat or a cover can all hide a plate that was fine before the lift went on.

Lighting follows in 625 ILCS 5/12-201(c): "Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light a rear registration plate when required and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear." Any separate plate lamp must be wired to light "whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted" (625 ILCS 5/12-201). If you move the plate to a carrier, its lamp needs to move with it.

We did not find an Illinois statute that names wheelchair or scooter carriers. One more note on sources: the Illinois General Assembly's statute site was unavailable on the day we checked, so the wording above comes from archived copies of those official pages; check the live text or ask the Illinois Secretary of State if anything looks different.

Lifts that fit Illinois driving

• Inside storage, away from road salt and slush: the Harmar AL425 mounts in the cargo area of a van, SUV or truck and lifts and rotates up to 400 lb under power. It needs 30 in of headroom, and because it sits inside, the plate and backup camera stay untouched.
• Wide devices and tight openings: the Bruno VSL-6900 Curb-Sider adds a power telescoping lift head to clear bumpers and load wide devices into smaller openings, with a max load rating of up to 400 lbs.
• A heavy power chair on the hitch: the Harmar AL500HD carries 400 lb on a 26 x 39 in platform and includes a license plate mount, the piece that keeps you on the right side of 3-413.
• A folding manual chair: the Harmar AL003 is fully manual, lifts up to 100 lb, weighs only 25 lb installed and folds down to reach the tail and lift gate.

Help through Illinois agencies

The Illinois Department of Human Services runs the state's Vocational Rehabilitation program, which describes its purpose plainly: "We help people with disabilities find and keep jobs." Its page does not mention vehicle modifications, so we cannot say whether a lift would qualify; ask a VR counselor if driving is part of getting to work.

The Illinois Assistive Technology Program lists device loans, demonstrations, reuse and other state financing with the AT3 Center. Its reuse program offers "new and gently used equipment at no cost," including mobility items such as wheelchairs and scooters.

Snow, storms and city streets

NOAA's Illinois climate summary notes that the state "experiences storms during all seasons." Northeastern Illinois averages more than 40 inches of snow a year, and the Chicago area occasionally receives heavy lake-effect snow. In summer, severe thunderstorms "occur frequently during late spring and early summer," and the summary describes widespread damaging winds from the August 10, 2020 derecho.

Snow thrown up by tires can coat an outside carrier, its plate and its lamp in a single trip, so check both before driving at night. A cover protects an exposed scooter, and an inside hoist avoids the issue. In city parking, remember that a hitch platform adds length behind the bumper.

Getting your lift to Illinois

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. More on the Illinois shipping page; the vehicle lift fit check pairs your vehicle with a lift.

Questions about vehicle lifts in Illinois

How high does a license plate have to be in Illinois?

Under 625 ILCS 5/3-413(b), at least 5 inches from the ground, measured from the bottom of the plate. It must also be securely fastened in a horizontal position, clearly visible and legible, and free from any materials that would obstruct it. A lift that hides the plate breaks the visibility rule even when the height is fine.

Does Illinois require a light on a plate mounted to a carrier?

625 ILCS 5/12-201(c) requires a tail lamp or separate lamp that lights the rear plate with white light, legible from 50 feet, wired to come on with the headlamps. If the plate moves to a carrier, the carrier needs a lamp that meets that rule. Many Harmar lifts include a plate mount; check the lighting too.

Will Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation help with a vehicle lift?

The IDHS Vocational Rehabilitation page says the program helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs, but it does not mention vehicle modifications, so we cannot say whether a lift qualifies. Ask a VR counselor. The Illinois Assistive Technology Program also runs a reuse program with equipment at no cost.

Should my scooter ride inside or outside in an Illinois winter?

Inside protects it from salt, slush and lake-effect snow, which NOAA notes can be heavy around Chicago. The Harmar AL425 hoist lifts up to 400 lb into a van, SUV or truck and leaves the plate and camera clear. If you choose a hitch lift, add a cover and keep the plate and its lamp clean.

See the full vehicle lift collection, use the vehicle lift fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• 625 ILCS 5/3-413, display of registration plates
• 625 ILCS 5/12-201, when lighted lamps are required
• Illinois Department of Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation
• Illinois Assistive Technology Program
• IATP equipment reuse
• AT3 Center: Illinois
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Illinois (2022)
• Harmar AL425 (Faith Mobility product page)
• Bruno VSL-6900 Curb-Sider (Faith Mobility product page)
• Harmar AL500HD (Faith Mobility product page)
• Harmar AL003 (Faith Mobility product page)