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Illinois Compiled Statutes

625 ILCS 5/11-709 (2026)

Driving on roadways laned for traffic

✓ current as of May 2026
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(625 ILCS 5/11-709) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-709)
    Sec. 11-709. Driving on roadways laned for traffic. Whenever any roadway has been divided into 2 or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply.
    (a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.
    (b) Upon a roadway which is divided into 3 lanes and provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction when such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for making a left turn or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is proceeding and such allocation is designated by official traffic control devices.
    (c) Official traffic control devices may be erected directing specific traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device. On multi-lane controlled access highways with 3 or more lanes in one direction or on any multi-laned highway with 2 or more lanes in one direction, the Department may designate lanes of traffic to be used by different types of motor vehicles. Drivers must obey lane designation signing except when it is necessary to use a different lane to make a turning maneuver.
    (d) Official traffic control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device.
    (e) A person is not in violation of this Section if he or she is complying with Section 11-907, 11-907.5, or 11-908.
(Source: P.A. 101-173, eff. 1-1-20.)

    
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 92 cases (19 in the last 5 years), 1993–2026 · leading case: People v. Hackett, 2012 IL 111781 (Ill. 2012).
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People v. Hackett, 2012 IL 111781 (Ill. 2012). · cites it 4× “The avowed basis for the traffic stop was a violation of section 11-709(a) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Code) (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2008) (improper lane usage)).”
People v. Leyendecker, 787 N.E.2d 358 (Ill. App. Ct. 2003). · cites it 7× “On appeal, the State argues that defendant's crossing of the fog line gave Brandel a reasonable suspicion that defendant had violated section 11-709(a) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (the Code) (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2000)). The State asserts that even a single, momentary…”
People v. Rizzo, 2016 IL 118599 (Ill. 2016). “”)) 2 in that he allegedly drove his vehicle 100 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour speed zone and (2) a violation of section 11-709 of the Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2012) (improper lane usage)) in that he allegedly “cut in between two semi-trucks at [a] high…”
People v. Curry, 2013 IL App (4th) 120724 (Ill. App. Ct. 2013). · cites it 2× “12-TR-161), and (3) improper lane usage (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2010)) (case No.”
People v. Smith, 665 N.E.2d 1215 (Ill. 1996). · cites it 2× “Accordingly, the trial court granted defendant's petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension of his driving privileges. A divided panel of the appellate court reversed, concluding that Officer Charles was justified in stopping defendant for improper lane usage in…”
People v. Mueller, 2018 IL App (2d) 170863 (Ill. App. Ct. 2019). · cites it 4× “The State contends that, under section 11-709(a) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2016)), a person commits ILU when his or her vehicle touches the yellow line or the fog line, even if it never crosses over the line.”
People v. Schaefer, 924 N.E.2d 1176 (Ill. App. Ct. 2010). · cites it 2× “Schaefer, of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) (625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(2) (West 2004)), transportation of open alcohol (625 ILCS 5/11-502(a) (West 2004)), improper lane usage (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2004)), and resisting or obstructing a police officer…”
People v. Sandoval, 886 N.E.2d 493 (Ill. App. Ct. 2008). · cites it 2× “03-DT-2937, in Du Page County, Sandoval was charged by separate citations with (1) driving under the influence (DUI) (625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(2) (West 2002)); (2) improper lane usage (625 ILCS 5/11-709 (West 2002)); (3) driving while his license was revoked (625 ILCS 5/6-303 (West…”
People v. Nohren, 670 N.E.2d 1208 (Ill. App. Ct. 1996). · cites it 2× “625 ILCS 5/11-709, 11-502, 12-603.1 (West 1994).”
People v. Manders, 740 N.E.2d 64 (Ill. App. Ct. 2000). · cites it 4× “" Section 11-709(a) of the Code (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 1998)) recognizes that a vehicle cannot be driven in a perfectly straight line.”
People v. Bywater, 861 N.E.2d 989 (Ill. 2006). “OPINION Justice GARMAN delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion: After being charged with driving without proof of insurance (625 ILCS 5/3-707(a) (West 2002)), improper lane usage (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2002)), and two counts of driving while under the influence…”
People v. Clairmont, 2011 IL App (2d) 100924 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). · cites it 2× “2 Clairmont was also charged with driving while his license was suspended (625 ILCS 5/6- 303(a) (West 2008)), operating an uninsured motor vehicle (625 ILCS 5/3-707 (West 2008)), and improper lane usage (625 ILCS 5/11-709 (West 2008)). -2- counts of aggravated driving under the…”
Show all 92 citing cases →
— 625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) — 67 cases
People v. Hackett, 2012 IL 111781 (Ill. 2012). “The avowed basis for the traffic stop was a violation of section 11-709(a) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Code) (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2008) (improper lane usage)).”
People v. Leyendecker, 787 N.E.2d 358 (Ill. App. Ct. 2003). “On appeal, the State argues that defendant's crossing of the fog line gave Brandel a reasonable suspicion that defendant had violated section 11-709(a) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (the Code) (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2000)). The State asserts that even a single, momentary…”
People v. Rizzo, 2016 IL 118599 (Ill. 2016). “”)) 2 in that he allegedly drove his vehicle 100 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour speed zone and (2) a violation of section 11-709 of the Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2012) (improper lane usage)) in that he allegedly “cut in between two semi-trucks at [a] high…”
People v. Curry, 2013 IL App (4th) 120724 (Ill. App. Ct. 2013). “12-TR-161), and (3) improper lane usage (625 ILCS 5/11-709(a) (West 2010)) (case No.”
People v. Smith, 665 N.E.2d 1215 (Ill. 1996). “Accordingly, the trial court granted defendant's petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension of his driving privileges. A divided panel of the appellate court reversed, concluding that Officer Charles was justified in stopping defendant for improper lane usage in…”
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