Rule 531.Written Pleas of Guilty in Overweight and Permit Offenses
Article V. Rules on Trial Court Proceedings in Traffic and Conservation Offenses, Ordinance Offenses, Petty Offenses, Misdemeanors, and Civil Law Violations · Part C. Fines, Penalties and Costs · Last amended 2023 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 531 lets truckers cited for overweight-vehicle or permit violations resolve the charge by mail, paying the statutory minimum fine plus a fixed assessment.
(a)Overweight and Permit Offenses. A charge for violating section 3-401(d), 15-111, or
offenses punishable by fine pursuant to sections 15-113 .1, 15-113 .2, or 15-113.3 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (truck overweight and permit moves) (625 ILCS 5/3-401(d), 15-111, 15-113.l through 15-113.3), or similar municipal ordinances may be satisfied without a court appearance by a written plea of guilty and payment of the minimum fine fixed by statute, plus an amount equal to the Schedule 10.5 assessment, as provided in section 15-52 of the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act (705 ILCS 135/15-52). If the defendant fails to satisfy the charges and fails to appear at the court appearance, the court shall address the charges in accordance with Rule 556. No other fines, penalties, assessments, or costs shall be assessed in any case that is disposed of on a written plea of guilty without a court appearance under this Rule 531.
(b)The provisions of Supreme Court Rule 402 relating to pleas of guilty do not apply in cases where a defendant enters a guilty plea under this Rule 531. The clerk of the circuit court shall disburse the fines collected under this Rule 531 in accordance with Sections 15-113 and 16-105 of the Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/15-113, 16-105) and shall disburse the assessments collected under this Rule 531 in accordance with the Schedule 10.5 assessment, as provided in section 15-52 of the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act (705 ILCS 135/15-52).
Plain-English Summary
Rule 531 covers a narrow slice of Vehicle Code violations: overweight trucks, permit-move violations, and similar municipal ordinances. A driver cited under these specific sections can settle the charge without a court appearance by submitting a written guilty plea and paying the minimum fine set by statute, plus the Schedule 10.5 assessment.
As with Rules 529 and 530, no other fines or costs get added once this payment clears, and the courtroom guilty-plea protections in Rule 402 don't come into play, since there's no hearing. Skip payment and also miss the court appearance, and the case moves into the failure-to-appear procedure under Rule 556.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of citation qualifies under Rule 531?
Overweight-vehicle or permit-move violations under specific Vehicle Code sections, or similar municipal ordinances covering the same conduct.
How much do I pay?
The statutory minimum fine plus the Schedule 10.5 assessment under the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act.
Can I resolve this without appearing in court?
Yes, by submitting a written guilty plea and paying the required amount.
What if I don't pay and also don't show up for my court appearance?
The court follows Rule 556's failure-to-appear procedure.
Does this rule apply to every truck-related ticket?
No. It's limited to the overweight and permit sections it names, or similar local ordinances — other truck violations may require a court appearance under Rule 551.
Amendment History
Adopted Mar. 8, 2019, eff. July 1, 2019; amended Dec. 9, 2020, eff. Jan. 1, 2021; amended July 20, 2021, eff. immediately; amended Oct. 27, 2022, eff. Sept. 18, 2023.
Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules,
promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:overweight truck ticket Illinoistruck permit violation finepay overweight citation by mailCDL overweight ticket Illinois