Disabled vehicles — Illinois Permit Test

A driver approaching a disabled vehicle using hazard lights on a four-lane highway must change lanes away from it where it is safe, and where it is not, must reduce speed while passing.

The person standing by that car is a foot from the traffic lane. Moving over is the same rule that protects police and tow crews.

When drivers approach any disabled vehicle using hazard lights on a four-lane highway, Illinois law requires drivers to change lanes away from the disabled vehicle if it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to change lanes, the driver should reduce speed when approaching and passing the disabled vehicle.

When towing one vehicle with another by drawbar, the distance between the two should not exceed 15 feet in most cases, and the towed vehicle should be coupled with two chains or cables.

A long gap lets the towed car swing into another lane. The second chain is what holds it if the first one breaks.

Tow one vehicle with another except by a drawbar. In most cases, the distance between the two cars should not exceed 15 feet. A towed vehicle should be coupled to the towing vehicle with two chains or cables.

A person may not remove a wrecked or damaged vehicle from the roadway without also removing all the glass and other debris.

Broken glass left behind is punctures for everyone who passes afterward. Clearing it is part of clearing the crash.

Remove a wrecked or damaged vehicle from the roadway without removing all glass and other debris.

A vehicle left on an interstate, expressway or toll highway may be towed at the owner’s expense after two hours.

A car on a freeway shoulder is a hazard however long it sits there, so the window is short. On slower roads the state waits longer.

Interstate, expressway, or toll highway - after two hours.

A vehicle left on a highway in an urban area may be towed at the owner’s expense after 10 hours, and after 24 hours in a non-urban area.

The slower the road and the emptier the area, the longer Illinois waits. Knowing which clock applies is what decides whether the car is still there.

Highway in an urban area - after 10 hours.

What must an Illinois driver do approaching a disabled vehicle on a four-lane highway?

Change lanes away from it where safe. The person standing by that car is a foot from the traffic lane. Moving over is the same rule that protects police and tow crews. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, p.45: “When drivers approach any disabled vehicle using hazard lights on a four-lane highway, Illinois law requires drivers to change lanes away from the disabled vehicle if it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to change lanes, the driver should reduce speed when approaching and passing the disabled vehicle.”