"Randy, I work in Chicago and sometimes see pickup trucks with "RV" registration on them. There is no camper shell on the truck. I'm told some people do this to allow them to drive their trucks on Lake Shore Drive and to park along the downtown city streets. Is this a violation of the vehicle registration act?"
Thanks, Thomas
Thanks for the question Thomas. I've seen this situation in the past. The definition of a "recreational vehicle" in the Illinois Compiled Statutes is "Every camping trailer, motor home, mini motor home, travel trailer, truck camper or van camper used primarily for recreational purposes and not used commercially nor owned by a commercial business" If the vehicle does not specifically fit in the above description, the owner or driver can be ticketed for improper use of registration. (625 ILCS 5/3-703)
The truck ban on Lake Shore Drive as well as some other streets and boulevards is a local ordinance, but a ticket could also be written for failure to obey a traffic control device (No Trucks sign). This law is mostly being enforced by Chicago Police, and I am told that despite the perception, the "RV" plates do not exempt a person from receiving a ticket.
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