Driver guide · Ford of Peoria · Peoria, IL
Sharing the Road with Motorcycles in Illinois
Motorcycles are hard to see and easy to hide behind a car or truck. Here is what the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State Police say drivers should do around motorcycles, what the Illinois license classes are, and where riders can take a free course, for drivers in and around Peoria.
The short answer
Look twice for motorcycles, especially at intersections and before you change lanes or merge. Give a motorcycle the full lane, leave three to four seconds of following distance, and do not trust a motorcycle's turn signal until you see it turning. Never drive distracted or impaired.
Look twice and save a life
IDOT says motorcycles are often invisible on our roadways. They are difficult to see because of their size and shape, and because many riders do not wear high-visibility gear. A crash can happen in an instant, and IDOT notes that the first five words after a crash are often, "I didn't even see them."
IDOT's Share the Road brochure for motorcyclists makes the same point: in many car-motorcycle crashes, drivers claimed they did not see the motorcycle, or did not see it until it was too late. Everyone is responsible for driving safely. Slow down, pay attention and be on the lookout for motorcycles.
From IDOT, "Motorcycle Training" (Look Twice) and "Share the Road" motorcyclist brochure, read October 29, 2026.
Tips for driving around motorcycles
IDOT shares these safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
Give them the full lane
Motorcycle operators have the same rights of the road as any other motorist. Allow the motorcycle the full lane width at all times.
Signal every time
Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
Do not trust the blinker
Motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten. Make sure the motorcycle is turning before you proceed.
Check mirrors and blind spots
Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging, especially at intersections.
Leave 3 to 4 seconds
Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle, so the rider has more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
Stay sharp
Never drive distracted or impaired.
From IDOT, "Motorcycle Training," Safety Tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, read October 29, 2026.
How to spot a motorcycle you cannot see
IDOT's Share the Road brochure tells drivers to expect to see motorcycles at any time and to search aggressively for them. A motorcycle's headlight is always on to help you see it during the day.
A motorcycle can easily be hidden behind a car or truck, so check your mirrors and blind spots before merging or changing lanes, especially in heavy traffic. When you cannot see around a vehicle, look for a helmet above, tires below and a shadow alongside it.
From IDOT, "Share the Road" motorcyclist brochure (printable), read October 29, 2026.
Illinois motorcycle crash facts
From the Illinois State Police Motorcycle Safety brochure and IDOT:
| Fact | Source |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles make up less than 3% of Illinois registered vehicles, while accounting for nearly 15% of fatal motor vehicle crashes. | ISP |
| Approximately 98% of fatal motorcycle crashes occur in clear weather on dry pavement. | ISP |
| The driver-related factors reported most often in fatal motorcycle crashes: driving too fast for conditions or over the limit; driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication; and improper lane usage. | ISP |
| Approximately 40% of motorcycle fatalities are riders not licensed to drive a motorcycle. | ISP |
| Historically, motorcyclists are more than 10% of Illinois' total roadway fatalities. | IDOT |
From the Illinois State Police, "Motorcycle Safety" brochure (printed 06/23), and IDOT, "Motorcycle Training," read October 29, 2026.
Illinois motorcycle license classes
The ISP defines a motorcycle as any motor vehicle with a seat or saddle for the rider, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. Each type below needs valid registration and insurance on Illinois roadways.
| Vehicle | Engine size | License needed |
|---|---|---|
| Scooter | 50cc or less | A valid driver's license; no special classification |
| Small motorcycle or dirt bike | 51cc to 149cc | A valid driver's license with an "L" classification |
| Motorcycle | 150cc and above | A valid driver's license with an "M" classification |
From the Illinois State Police, "Motorcycle Safety" brochure, read October 29, 2026. The ISP says riding without the proper classification could cost you all of your driving privileges for three months.
Free motorcycle rider courses in Illinois
IDOT's Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP) offers courses for riders of all skill and experience levels. All courses are free to any Illinois resident 16 or older who holds a valid automobile or motorcycle driver's license or permit; residents younger than 18 need written consent from a legal guardian. A regional center may charge a $20 fee at registration, which is fully refunded after the course.
The Basic Rider Course is about 20 hours of classroom and on-motorcycle instruction. IDOT says the CRSTP is the only program authorized by the Illinois Secretary of State to offer a license waiver, and its courses are the only way to earn one: graduates 18 or older can waive the riding and written portions of the Illinois motorcycle license test, and some graduates qualify for insurance discounts. Students 16 to 17 still take the written and riding tests at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility. Southern Illinois University's Motorcycle Rider Program currently oversees registration for all three regions.
From IDOT, "Motorcycle Training," "Rider Courses" and "Start Seeing Motorcycles," read October 29, 2026.
Service at Ford of Peoria
The Works® at Ford of Peoria includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Book it any time you want a general checkup.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Ford of Peoria is at 2211 W. Pioneer Pkwy. in Peoria. Get directions.
Ford of Peoria service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-noon |
| Sun | closed |
From Ford of Peoria's website, October 29, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Sharing the road with motorcycles FAQ
How much following distance should I leave behind a motorcycle?
Three to four seconds. IDOT passes along this tip from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): always allow more following distance when behind a motorcycle, which gives the rider more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
Can I share a lane with a motorcycle?
Give the motorcycle the full lane width at all times. The NHTSA tips on IDOT's site say motorcycle operators have the same rights of the road as any other motorist.
Why should I be careful when a motorcycle has its turn signal on?
Motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten, the NHTSA tips on IDOT's site say. Make sure the motorcycle is actually turning before you proceed.
Do you need a special license to ride a motorcycle in Illinois?
Yes, for most bikes. The Illinois State Police (ISP) says a scooter of 50cc or less needs only a valid driver's license, a small motorcycle or dirt bike of 51cc to 149cc needs an "L" classification, and a motorcycle of 150cc and above needs an "M" classification. Each needs valid registration and insurance on Illinois roadways.
What happens if I ride without the right classification?
The ISP says you could lose all of your driving privileges for a period of three months.
Are Illinois motorcycle courses free?
Yes. IDOT says all Cycle Rider Safety Training Program courses are free to any Illinois resident 16 or older who holds a valid automobile or motorcycle driver's license or permit. A regional center may charge a $20 fee at registration, which IDOT says is fully refunded after you take the course.
Does Illinois require motorcycle helmets?
The ISP brochure says that in Illinois, the choice is yours. It notes that on average nearly 70% of motorcyclists killed in crashes were not wearing a helmet, and that research shows a DOT-certified helmet is 37% effective in reducing motorcycle fatalities and 67% effective in reducing serious brain injuries in a crash.
What does The Works at Ford of Peoria include?
The Works® at Ford of Peoria includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule a checkup
Book The Works, which includes a tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection and Multi-Point Inspection, at Ford of Peoria.
Sources
Driving tips, license classes, crash facts and course details are from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police, read October 29, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Ford of Peoria's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Motorcycle Training (Look Twice; NHTSA safety tips), Illinois Department of Transportation, read October 29, 2026
- Rider Courses (Basic Rider Course, licensing), Illinois Department of Transportation, read October 29, 2026
- Start Seeing Motorcycles, Illinois Department of Transportation, read October 29, 2026
- Share the Road, Illinois Department of Transportation, read October 29, 2026
- Share the Road (motorcyclist brochure, printable), Illinois Department of Transportation, read October 29, 2026
- Motorcycle Safety (brochure), Illinois State Police, read October 29, 2026
- General service: The Works, Ford of Peoria, October 29, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Ford of Peoria, October 29, 2026