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HB 5149

VEH CD-TOW TRUCK WEIGHT

104th Regular Session Introduced by John Cabello

Sets tighter weight/axle limits for towing heavy vehicles, extends compliance timelines to 2034–2035, and increases penalties for overweight motions.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5149

Overview

  • Bill: HB5149
  • Session/Jurisdiction: Illinois, 104th General Assembly
  • Introduced: February 10, 2026 by Rep. John M. Cabello
  • Topic: Vehicle Code provisions related to wheel/axle loads, gross weights, and special hauling/tow-truck weight rules; adjusts timing for Special Hauling Vehicle standards; clarifies towing weight limits; expands penalties for overweight movements.

Purpose and Intent

  • Update and harmonize weight and axle-limit rules for Special Hauling Vehicles (including tow trucks and heavy recovery equipment).
  • Extend future compliance milestones (model year and registration dates) to align with heavier-duty equipment standards.
  • Tighten enforcement and clarify exemptions and operational conditions during towing and recovery operations.
  • Increase penalties for certain overweight violations and ensure movements not meeting criteria are void/unpermitted.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Model year and registration timing
    • Change the benchmark for Special Hauling Vehicle weight allowances to model year 2034 (instead of 2024) and registration date of January 1, 2035 (instead of January 1, 2025).
  • Weight and axle standards during towing
    • Establish specific weight limitations during towing operations for vehicle combinations:
    • Maximums: tow truck and towed vehicle combination must generally respect weight limits, with detailed limits on rear axles during towing.
    • During towing: neither the tow truck nor the towed-vehicle combination may exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear axle and 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle, under certain conditions (see below).
    • Tow-truck criteria: towing vehicle must have GVWR at least 18,000 pounds, air brakes as applicable, amber lights, and ability to utilize the disabled vehicle’s braking/lighting systems; movement limited to within 20 miles from initial wreck/disablement unless authorized under the permit process.
    • Movement beyond 20 miles requires authorization via Sections 15-301 through 15-318.
    • Tow operations valid only on State routes; must comply with posted bridge weight limits.
  • Covered heavy-duty tow and recovery vehicle
    • Exempts a “covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle” from the weight limitations in (12.5) and requires its license plate to cover only the vehicle’s operating empty weight.
  • Non-applicability of bridge formula in certain cases
    • Several exceptions to the standard bridge formula (the axle-weight-based limits) for specific vehicle types (e.g., garbage/recycling trucks, concrete mixers in certain states, special hauling configurations, etc.).
    • New and adjusted exceptions for Special Hauling Vehicles registered in certain model years (e.g., 2034/2024 cutoff) with varying tandem axle allowances.
  • Penalties and enforcement
    • Violations of restricted rights to use highways due to excessive weight: fined $150 per 500 pounds or fraction thereof (increase from $75).
    • If a heavy or exceedance movement is conducted without meeting required criteria, such movement is deemed void and unpermitted.
  • Permits for excess size/weight
    • Reiterates the Department and local authorities’ authority to issue oversize/overweight permits for movements exceeding standard limits.
    • Includes detailed permit requirements, conditions, routing, and the possibility of annual permits for local authorities to move oversized construction/maintenance equipment.
    • Provides penalties for fraudulent permits (Class 4 felony) and for violations of permit terms (petty offense with escalating fines).
  • Administrative and implementation details
    • Department may adopt rules to implement and regulate these provisions, including escort vehicle requirements and liability insurance policies for oversized loads.
    • Local authorities may designate routes and post signs to enforce weight restrictions.
    • Provisions specify how to handle loads that cannot reasonably be dismantled, with a process to determine divisibility.

Who Is Affected

  • Tow trucks and heavy recovery vehicles registered in Illinois, including:
    • Special Hauling Vehicles (SHPs) with specified GVWR/axle configurations
    • Covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicles (exempt from certain weight limits)
  • Vehicle operators and owners of:
    • Vehicles being towed or assisted by tow trucks
    • Private and municipal entities performing emergency repairs or recovery
  • Local and state transportation authorities responsible for permitting and enforcement
  • Public utilities and emergency services with weight-exemption provisions during emergencies or utility work

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective/implementation timing:
    • Shifts in model year and registration milestones extend to 2034/2035 for certain SHP weight criteria.
  • Permitting and enforcement:
    • Emphasizes the need for compliance with permits (excess size/weight) and outlines consequences of off-route movements.
    • Requires record-keeping by the Department for permits and stipulates routing accuracy and the use of automation for call recordings related to permit applications.
  • Transition considerations:
    • The bill creates transitional rules for vehicles manufactured before/after specified model years (e.g., 2034/2024) and first registered dates (e.g., 2035/2025), affecting which weight allowances apply.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison of current law vs. HB5149’s changes, or a concise one-page briefing for policymakers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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