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No one expects an accident, especially one that necessitates a call to your family to inform them of what happened. However, when this does happen, it can be really convenient for an emergency contact to be neatly stored where it will be easily located by the people who need to use it.

The Benefits of Listing Your Emergency Contact in a Database

Illinois has an emergency contact database set up for folks with drivers licenses or other proof that they live in the state. It’s one of many states that aims to help people in difficult situations where they are injured or unable to reach out to a loved one themselves, for any reason. It doesn’t cost anything, is easy to set up, and your info can be updated anytime.

All that’s needed is the person’s name, phone number, address, and how they’re related to you. If something happens to you, your emergency contact can get notified right away, avoiding delays in communication.

Examples of When Someone Might Call Your Emergency Contact

Emergency Contact isn’t just the name of a pop tune, although that’s a sign this helpful idea is catching on. It’s not just about car accidents, but any scenario in which someone needs to be contacted fast. And if you do drive a lot, then all the more reason to consider entering your information. If something happens to you on your next road trip, first responders will appreciate a fast, reliable way to reach the right people.

Examples of when someone might need to call a friend or family member using the database:

• A car accident – or even a snowmobiling one – that leaves you unconscious
• A medical emergency such as a stroke or severe allergic reaction that makes it difficult to speak
• A crisis situation where responders need to reach the family quickly
• Someone discovers you after you’ve been injured with no ID info other than your license
• Someone goes missing and police want to run their ID info through the database
• Any incident where you’re unable to communicate who to call

It’s basically a “just in case” safety net, and it’s not only for Illinois drivers, since other forms of ID are accepted. It is simply an efficient way to collect information on Illinois residents. Most likely, it will never need to be used. However, if something does happen, having your emergency contacts instantly reachable can save time, help a spouse or parent reach you faster, and make a huge difference overall.

Do you remember the rules of the road? Take this brief test to find out.

Some Key Details About the Database

The database was created in 2009 as a way to store in one place the emergency contacts of people with an Illinois driver’s license or ID card. A year later, the state expanded it so users could include key medical information or details about a disability or special needs.

What Else Should You Know Before Joining the Emergency Database?

1. The contacts you enter don’t have to be Illinois residents.
2. It’s secure and only used for emergencies
3. Only law enforcement can access it.
4. It’s only used if you’re in a situation where you can’t communicate.
5. It’s totally free and optional – no pressure!
6. It helps people with medical conditions such as epilepsy that make them more at risk.
7. If you add medical or special-needs info, responders can make better decisions, faster.

Another cool thing drivers can do is sign up to become organ donors. It doesn’t mean they will. But if you’re interested or are ready to get your new driver’s license, go here to find out more about becoming an organ or tissue donor.

Explore Your State’s Emergency Contact Database to Learn More

A couple more things to know about the database and how to join (check the official website thoroughly before entering your personal information). Different forms of ID are accepted: an Illinois driver’s license, instruction permit, state ID card, TVDL or CDL.

Registration: Ready to get started?

Here’s where you register in Illinois.

Here’s where to register in Wisconsin.

Visit CFSC Auto Services Throughout Illinois & in Southern Wisconsin

Before you register (and even if you don’t), be sure your driver’s license is current. That will make it much easier when it’s time to:

• Pick up auto stickers
• Get a new license plate
• Transfer a plate
• Other necessary auto tasks

Find the nearest CFSC Auto Services to use our handy services and find out more!

Those Midwestern cold snaps and first snowfalls always seem to come earlier than expected. Like with “van life,” some people yearn to be on a snowmobile. If you hate being cooped up all winter, you might even consider buying one. It’s one way to continue the outdoor fun and connect with nature.

If there’s more than one user in the household, all the more reason to consider this investment. However, there are some important considerations before committing. We’ll help you think through the decision.

1. How Much Do You Enjoy Snowmobiling?

The first question to answer is pretty straightforward. If you already know you love the snowmobiling experience, then being a proud owner of one may seem like a great idea. Here’s a map of snowmobile trails in Illinois to boost your imagination and help you plan your next trip.

The next questions are:

• How much use would you get out of it?
• Do you have space for storing one?
• Can you afford a new or used snowmobile?
• How would you transport one?

Answering them will get you closer to figuring out whether a purchase truly makes sense.

2. How Will You Transport Your Snowmobile?

Unless you have a pickup where it will fit nicely, you may need a sled deck or trailer. Transporting it is another factor that can impact the overall cost and practicality of ownership.

• Tip: If a major snowmobile trail system is hours away, plan on regular weekend road trips.

When you’re ready, contact your nearby CFSC Auto location to register your snowmobile.

3. Do You Know About Snowmobile Regulations & Safety?

Ownership means following snowmobile laws, which include registration, safety equipment like helmets for riders under 18, and abiding by trail or park rules. Being safe also means knowing how to assess ice thickness, avoid dangerous terrain, and respect other riders and hikers.

• Tip: Take a snowmobile safety course online, and learn about safe riding areas through local clubs or trail associations.

4. Consider Snow Season & Trail Conditions

Snow conditions in Illinois can be inconsistent year to year. Will you take your snowmobile out of state? You may find more gentle hills and snowy days in Michigan or Wisconsin – yay! Public trails typically require at least four inches of snow on frozen ground before opening.

Northern Illinois may get a few good stretches, but farther south the odds drop significantly.

• Tip: Check this year’s almanac for a realistic winter forecast.

5. Budget Ownership Costs Realistically

It’s like car ownership. There will be other expenses that should be factored into your budget. A few possibilities:

• Trailer for transporting it
• Fuel costs
• Maintenance and parts
• Insurance
• Other travel costs

Illinois requires registration, and some trails require permits or club memberships. In other states, those kinds of costs can add up too. Budget not just for the initial purchase, but for any ongoing annual costs. Consider renting one for a trip or two before committing.

6. Where to Register Snowmobiles in Illinois & Milwaukee?

It’s not worth risking fines for a small registration or title error.

Even in a low-use year, it’s still vital to have your title and licence in order. For simple, fast service, visit any CFSC Auto Services and an assistant will make sure your paperwork is up to date. Call first to clarify fees, requirements, and documentation needs.

Registration is also available at CFSC Auto Services throughout Milwaukee, WI.

Visit us online for more information about our licensing services, which include auto titles, transfers and much more!

Would you pass a written driving test if you took one today? Even long-time drivers might be surprised at their scores. About seven out of ten Wisconsinites fail the first time they take the written test, according to the state’s DMV website.

There’s a lot to know in order to be a responsible driver. There’s even a proper way to dispose of old license plates!

Take a stab at the questions below. If your memory is fuzzy – or just to make sure you’re still following the law – refer to Illinois’ rules of the road online for guidance.

Try These Sample Multiple Choice Driving Questions:

While these questions are not precisely as they would appear on an official test, they can still give you a sense of how you might do on one.

When an authorized vehicle approaches using its sirens and flashing lights, the driver should:

1. Signal, pull to the righthand edge of the roadway, and wait for the emergency vehicle to pass.
2. Slow down until the emergency vehicle passes you.

(Correct answer is A.)

When parking on a hill facing uphill, you should:

1. Turn the wheels away from the curb.
2. Turn the wheels toward the curb.

(Correct answer is A.)

You can help keep the driver behind you a safe distance away from your vehicle by:

1. Driving slower than the speed limit.
2. Speeding up to stay ahead of the driver.
3. Maintaining a steady speed.

(Correct answer is C.)

You may not pass another vehicle in a construction zone:

1. True
2. Unless it has striped lines – then you may.

(Correct answer is A.)

If two or more vehicles arrive at a four-way stop sign at the same time:

1. Let the more aggressive driver go first.
2. The driver on your left goes first.
3. The driver on the right goes first.

(Correct answer is C.)

When another vehicle is passing your car, you should:

1. Accelerate to keep up with the other driver.
2. Maintain a constant speed.
3. Slow down.

(Correct answer is B.)

A flashing yellow light at an intersection means:

1. Continue through the intersection at the same speed.
2. Speed up before the light turns red.
3. Reduce your speed, yield if necessary, and only proceed through the intersection if it is safe to do so.

(Correct answer is C.)

In Illinois, the maximum speed limit is generally:

1. 70 mph on interstate highways outside urban areas.
2. 65 mph on rural interstates.
3. 55 mph on interstate highways near cities.
4. 30 mph within cities.

(Correct answer: all of the above)

To find out more about common questions on driver’s tests, visit idrivesafely.com.

Check Out CFSC Auto Services Throughout Illinois

All of us drivers should refresh our memories by reviewing traffic rules now and then. Don’t forget to review the different traffic signs, as well, so you aren’t confused the next time you approach a less familiar one.

Even if you aced your test, visit your nearby CFSC Auto Services to register a new vehicle, pick up license plate stickers, or take care of your routine auto tasks.

Van life isn’t a thing of the past – a relic of the Woodstock era or 70s sitcoms (looking at you, Partridge Family).

It’s still popular today in some circles, and this use of one’s van is more than just a passing fad. Using your van to transform your life is as much a lifestyle choice as it is a vehicle preference, although driving and spending time in a van is certainly part and parcel of this trend.

What Is Van Life?

For many, van life started as a way to escape the grind of paying rent monthly or making mortgage payments. Imagine waking up to a new view every morning—mountains one day, a beach the next—and not needing to ask for time off to explore them.

Van life offers that kind of flexibility that can turn everyday routines into small adventures. Whether it’s cooking breakfast with the tailgate flung open to a sunrise or falling asleep to the sound of crickets in the desert, the road becomes both the journey and the destination, as long as you have a decent set of wheels to make that happen.

When and Why Did Van Life Become Popular?

The desire to explore unknown parts of the country has always existed, whether by train or some other means of transportation. However, it recently gained popularity during the pandemic, along with the tiny house craze.

Part of it stemmed from a want or need to downsize, as thousands of workers lost their jobs and were becoming isolated and homebound. People were going stir crazy due to social distancing. But they were also experiencing a desire for freedom, a simpler way of living, a better view, and more connection with other parts of society.

Your Van Can Be Your Home … Kind of

Some of those exploring van life are doing so not as a full-time lifestyle, but as a flexible addition to their existing home setup. Rather than giving everything up, many use their vans to supplement traditional living in practical as well as creative ways.

A range of factors are pushing people of different ages to consider this lifestyle, either part-time or full-time, as an alternative to home ownership:

• Flexibility: A van offers the ability to travel or relocate quickly, whether for a spontaneous getaway or an extended stay somewhere else.
• Cost of Living: In areas with high housing costs, a van can serve as a temporary or seasonal living space.
• Multi-Use Functionality: A van can double as a mobile office, guest room or quiet space away from the chaos at home.
• Lifestyle Expansion: It doesn’t have to be about downsizing. Your new van-centric lifestyle can also be about expanding your idea of what a home is, with the added bonus of waking up in a beautiful new place whenever the mood strikes.

What Do You Need to Drive a Van Legally in Illinois?

For the most part, there is not much difference between registering a van or a car to drive it legally in the state of Illinois. If you have ever owned a car – or a motorcycle, for that matter – then you should be familiar with the process.

That said, it is equally crucial to manage routine tasks like:

• Registering your van in the state where you live
• Getting plate stickers annually
• Getting city stickers, depending on requirements where you live
• Doing emissions tests as required by your local government

Your nearest CFSC Auto Services will help you sort through some of these processes so they are convenient and less time-consuming than dealing with the DMV.

If any of the above makes you less enthused about your new van life or your ability to afford this type of vehicle, take heart. There are several things you can do to make vehicle ownership less expensive, from taking the steps in this blog to purchasing a hybrid or EV and saving on gas.

Where Can You Park Vans Legally in Illinois?

Another thing to consider before riding off into the sunset in your dream van is where to park it. Illinois Highway Rest Areas & Welcome Centers have spots that are typically open 24/7 and may allow you to rest up for a few hours. Personal contacts with access to property may be another option.

It’s important to follow parking rules, particularly when it comes to overnight parking. Be sure to do your research if you are planning to park your van for extended lengths of time – for your safety, as well as to keep up with local regulations.

Drive Your Van to CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin

Need help with some of the licensing services mentioned above? We’ve got you and your van covered.

Call CFSC Auto Services with questions, or head to one of our locations in person and a team member will tell you what you need to know.