On road vehicle Laws & Definitions

[Yetti]

257.710 Tires; studs or other traction devices; rules; exceptions; use or sale of unsafe tires prohibited.
Sec. 710.
(a) A person shall not operate on a public highway of this state a vehicle or special mobile equipment which has metal or plastic track or a tire which is equipped with metal that comes in contact with the surface of the road or which has a partial contact of metal or plastic with the surface of the road, except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (e).
(b) A person shall not operate on a highway a vehicle which has a tire that has on its periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or other protuberance of a material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (e). A person may, however, use farm machinery with a tire having a protuberance which will not injure a highway. A person may also use a tire chain of reasonable proportion upon a vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other condition tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
(c) A person may operate on a highway a vehicle which has a pneumatic tire in which wire of .075 inches in diameter or less is embedded if the tire is constructed so that the percent of metal in contact with the highway does not exceed 5% of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, except that during the first 1,000 miles of use or operation of the tire the metal in contact with the highway shall not exceed 20% of the area.
(d) The department of state highways and transportation shall promulgate rules establishing acceptable standards to permit the use of a tire with studs or other traction devices to be used on a street or highway after April 1, 1975. The rules shall make separate provision for the extreme winter snow and ice conditions of the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula. The rules shall include a restriction on the amount and dimension of protrusions that may be allowed on a tire, the type of material that may be used in a stud, traction device, or tire, and the amount of road wear that a tire with studs or other traction devices may cause on a street or highway.
(e) A person may operate on a highway a vehicle which has a pneumatic tire in which are inserted ice grips or tire studs if the person is a law enforcement officer operating a vehicle owned by a law enforcement agency, a person operating an ambulance, or a United States postal service rural carrier driving a vehicle the rural carrier owns and maintains as a prerequisite to employment in the postal service.
(f) A person shall not operate a vehicle on a highway when a tire in use on that vehicle is unsafe as provided in subsection (h).
(g) A person in the business of selling tires shall not sell or offer for sale for highway use a tire which is unsafe as provided in subsection (h).
(h) A tire is unsafe if it is in any of the following conditions:
(i) Has a part of the belting material, tire cords, or plys exposed.
(ii) Has evidence of cord or tread separations.
(iii) Is worn to or below the minimum tread level in 2 or more adjacent major grooves at 3 or more locations spaced around the circumference of the tire. Minimum allowable tread levels are as follows:

motorcycles and moped.....................1/32 inch front and rearpassenger cars and vehiclesweighing less than 10,000pounds.................................2/32 inch front and rearvehicles weighing 10,000 poundsor more...........................4/32 inch front and 2/32 rear
Measurements shall not be made at locations of tread wear indicators or tie bars. A motor vehicle licensed as an historic vehicle under section 803a is exempt from the tread depth requirements of this subsection.
(iv) Has a marking "not for highway use", "for racing purposes only", "for farm use only", or "unsafe for highway use".
(v) Has been regrooved or recut below the original tread design depth except in the case of special purpose designed tires having extra undertread rubber provided for this purpose and identified as those tires.

[Yetti]

257.719 Height of vehicle; liability for damage to bridge or viaduct; normal length maximum; prohibitions; connecting assemblies and lighting devices; gross weight; violation as civil infraction; applicability of subsections (2)(a) and (3)(b); definitions.

Sec. 719.

(1) A vehicle unloaded or with load shall not exceed a height of 13 feet 6 inches. The owner of a vehicle that collides with a lawfully established bridge or viaduct is liable for all damage and injury resulting from a collision caused by the height of the vehicle, whether the clearance of the bridge or viaduct is posted or not.

(2) Lengths described in this subsection shall be known as the normal length maximum. Except as provided in subsection (3), the following vehicles and combinations of vehicles shall not be operated on a highway in this state in excess of these lengths:
(a) Subject to subsection (8), any single vehicle: 40 feet; a crib vehicle on which logs are loaded lengthwise of the vehicle: 42.5 feet; any single bus or motor home: 45 feet.
(b) Articulated buses: 65 feet.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a combination of a truck and semitrailer or trailer, or a truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer, or truck tractor and semitrailer or trailer, designed and used exclusively to transport assembled motor vehicles or bodies, recreational vehicles, or boats, that does not exceed a length of 65 feet. Stinger-steered combinations shall not exceed a length of 75 feet. The load on the combinations of vehicles described in this subdivision may extend an additional 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear of the combinations of vehicles. Retractable extensions used to support and secure the load that do not extend beyond the allowable overhang for the front and rear shall not be included in determining length of a loaded vehicle or vehicle combination.
(d) Truck tractor and semitrailer combinations: no overall length, the semitrailer not to exceed 50 feet.
(e) Truck and semitrailer or trailer: 59 feet.
(f) Except as provided in subdivision (g), truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer, or truck tractor and 2 semitrailers: 59 feet.
(g) A truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer, or a truck tractor and 2 semitrailers, in which no semitrailer or trailer is more than 28-1/2 feet long: 65 feet. This subdivision only applies while the vehicle is being used for a business purpose reasonably related to picking up or delivering a load and only if each semitrailer or trailer is equipped with a device or system capable of mechanically dumping construction materials or dumping construction materials by force of gravity.
(h) More than 1 motor vehicle, wholly or partially assembled, in combination, utilizing 1 tow bar or 3 saddle mounts with full mount mechanisms and utilizing the motive power of 1 of the vehicles in combination, not to exceed 55 feet.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the following vehicles and combinations of vehicles shall not be operated on a designated highway of this state in excess of these lengths:
(a) Truck tractor and semitrailer combinations: no overall length limit, the semitrailer not to exceed 53 feet. All semitrailers longer than 50 feet shall have a wheelbase of 37.5 to 40.5 feet plus or minus 0.5 feet, measured from the kingpin coupling to the center of the rear axle or the center of the rear axle assembly. A semitrailer with a length longer than 50 feet shall not operate with more than 3 axles on the semitrailer. City, village, or county authorities may prohibit stops of vehicles with a semitrailer longer than 50 feet within their jurisdiction unless the stop occurs along appropriately designated routes, or is necessary for emergency purposes or to reach shippers, receivers, warehouses, and terminals along designated routes.
(b) Truck and semitrailer or trailer combinations: 65 feet, except that a person may operate a truck and semitrailer or trailer designed and used to transport saw logs, pulpwood, and tree length poles that does not exceed an overall length of 70 feet or a crib vehicle and semitrailer or trailer designed and used to transport saw logs that does not exceed an overall length of 75 feet. A crib vehicle and semitrailer or trailer designed to and used to transport saw logs shall not exceed a gross vehicle weight of 164,000 pounds. A person may operate a truck tractor and semitrailer designed and used to transport saw logs, pulpwood, and tree length wooden poles with a load overhang to the rear of the semitrailer which does not exceed 6 feet if the semitrailer does not exceed 50 feet in length.
(c) Truck tractor and 2 semitrailers, or truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer combinations: no overall length limit, if the length of each semitrailer or trailer does not exceed 28-1/2 feet each, or the overall length of the semitrailer and trailer, or 2 semitrailers as measured from the front of the first towed unit to the rear of the second towed unit while the units are coupled together does not exceed 58 feet.
(d) More than 1 motor vehicle, wholly or partially assembled, in combination, utilizing 1 tow bar or 3 saddle mounts with full mount mechanisms and utilizing the motive power of 1 of the vehicles in combination, not to exceed 75 feet.

(4) The following combinations and movements are prohibited:
(a) A truck shall not haul more than 1 trailer or semitrailer, and a truck tractor shall not haul more than 2 semitrailers or 1 semitrailer and 1 trailer in combination at any 1 time, except that a farm tractor may haul 2 wagons or trailers, or garbage and refuse haulers may, during daylight hours, haul up to 4 trailers for garbage and refuse collection purposes, not exceeding in any combination a total length of 55 feet and at a speed limit not to exceed 15 miles per hour.
(b) A combination of vehicles or a vehicle shall not have more than 11 axles, except when operating under a valid permit issued by the state transportation department or a local authority with respect to a highway under its jurisdiction.
(c) Any combination of vehicles not specifically authorized under this section is prohibited.
(d) A combination of 2 semitrailers pulled by a truck tractor, unless each semitrailer uses a fifth wheel connecting assembly which conforms to the requirements of the motor carrier safety act of 1963, 1963 PA 181, MCL 480.11 to 480.22.
(e) A vehicle or a combination of vehicles shall not carry a load extending more than 3 feet beyond the front of the lead vehicle.
(f) A vehicle described in subsections (2)(e) and (3)(d) employing triple saddle mounts unless all wheels that are in contact with the roadway have operating brakes.

(5) All combinations of vehicles under this section shall employ connecting assemblies and lighting devices that are in compliance with the motor carrier safety act of 1963, 1963 PA 181, MCL 480.11 to 480.22.

(6) The total gross weight of a truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer combination or a truck tractor and 2 semitrailers combination that exceeds 59 feet in length shall not exceed a ratio of 400 pounds per engine net horsepower delivered to clutch or its equivalent specified in the handbook published by the society of automotive engineers, inc. (SAE), 1977 edition.

(7) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction. The owner of the vehicle may be charged with a violation of this section.

(8) The provisions in subsections (2)(a) and (3)(b) prescribing the length of a crib vehicle on which logs are loaded lengthwise do not apply unless section 127(d) of title 23 of the United States Code, 23 USC 127, is amended to allow crib vehicles carrying logs to be loaded as described in this section.

(9) As used in this section:
(a) "Designated highway" means a highway approved by the state transportation department or a local authority with respect to a highway under its jurisdiction.
(b) "Length" means the total length of a vehicle, or combination of vehicles, including any load the vehicle is carrying. Length does not include devices described in 23 CFR 658.16 and 23 CFR part 658, appendix d. 23 CFR 658.16 and 23 CFR part 658, appendix d, as on file with the secretary of state are adopted by reference. A safety or energy conservation device shall be excluded from a determination of length only if it is not designed or used for the carrying of cargo, freight, or equipment. Semitrailers and trailers shall be measured from the front vertical plane of the foremost transverse load supporting structure to the rearmost transverse load supporting structure. Vehicle components not excluded by law shall be included in the measurement of the length, height, and width of the vehicle.
(c) "Stinger-steered combinations" means a truck tractor and semitrailer combination in which the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rearmost axle of the power unit

[Yetti]

257.721 Passenger vehicle or pickup truck towing vehicle or trailer; drawbar or other connection; coupling devices and safety chains; pickup truck with fifth wheel assembly; conditions for towing additional trailer or semitrailer; speed limit requirements; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 721.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), a passenger vehicle or a pickup truck shall not be driven upon a highway drawing or having attached to the passenger vehicle or pickup truck more than 1 vehicle or trailer.
(2) The drawbar or other connection between 2 vehicles, 1 of which is towing or drawing the other on a highway, shall not exceed 15 feet in length from 1 vehicle to the other. If the connection consists of a chain, rope, or cable, there shall be displayed upon the connection a red flag or other signal or cloth not less than 12 inches both in length and width.
(3) A vehicle or trailer towed or drawn by a vehicle shall be attached to the vehicle with forms of coupling devices in a manner so that when the combination is operated in a linear alignment on a level, smooth, paved surface, the movement of the towed or drawn vehicle or trailer does not deviate more than 3 inches to either side of the path of the towing vehicle that tows or draws it. The vehicle or trailer shall also be connected to the towing vehicle by suitable safety chains or devices, 1 on each side of the coupling and at the extreme outer edge of the vehicle or trailer. Each chain or device and connection used shall be of sufficient strength to haul the vehicle or trailer when loaded. In the case of an implement of husbandry with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, the safety chains or devices required under this subsection shall conform to the federal motor carrier safety regulations requirements contained in 49 C.F.R. 393.70(d)(5).
(4) A pickup truck with a fifth wheel assembly shall not tow a semitrailer unless the fifth wheel assembly conforms to the standards prescribed in the motor carrier safety act of 1963, 1963 PA 181, MCL 480.11 to 480.22.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a pickup truck with a towing rating equal to, or greater than, the weight being towed, equipped with a fifth wheel assembly that conforms with the standards prescribed in the motor carrier safety act of 1963, 1963 PA 181, MCL 480.11 to 480.22, towing attached with a semitrailer designed for recreational living purposes may tow an additional trailer or semitrailer under the following conditions:
(a) The additional trailer or semitrailer shall be attached pursuant to subsection (3). The safety chains described in subsection (3) shall be securely attached at the extreme outer edge of the attached trailer or semitrailer with a locking mechanism. The towing vehicle hitch shall be of substantial material and shall be attached in a proper and skillful manner to the frame of the towing vehicle.
(b) The total length of the pickup truck, semitrailer designed for recreational living purposes, and additional trailer or semitrailer, and load, shall not exceed 65 feet on any highways in this state.
(c) The gross weight of the additional trailer or semitrailer towed or drawn shall not exceed the empty weight of the pickup truck or the empty weight of the semitrailer.
(6) For the purposes of this section, a pickup truck towing a semitrailer and additional trailer shall be considered a passenger vehicle and shall comply with the speed limit requirements of section 627(5).
(7) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

[Yetti]

257.686 Rear lamps; exemption; requirements for implement of husbandry; pickup camper.

Sec. 686.
(1) A motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or vehicle which is being drawn in a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least 1 rear lamp mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required by this act, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.
(2) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and placed so as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. A tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be wired so as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
(3) A motor vehicle licensed as an historic vehicle is exempt from the requirements of this section if the vehicle as originally equipped failed to meet these requirements.
(4) When operated or moved on a highway at the times specified in section 684, an implement of husbandry shall meet either of the following requirements:
(a) For implements of husbandry manufactured before January 1, 2007, the following:
(i) Display lighted rear lamps which meet the requirements of subsection (1).
(ii) Be accompanied by a vehicle which follows behind the implement of husbandry at a distance of not more than 50 feet, illuminates the implement of husbandry with the vehicle's headlights, and displays on the rear of the vehicle lighted rear lamps as required by this section.
(b) For implements of husbandry manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, the provisions of section 684a.
(5) A pickup camper shall be attached to the motor vehicle in a manner so that the registration plate of the motor vehicle is clearly visible.

[Yetti]

257.684 Head lamps; lighting, distance, height.

Sec. 684.
(a) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as hereinafter stated. When lighted lamps and illuminated devices are required by law no vehicle shall be operated upon any highway of this state with only the parking lights illuminated on the front of the vehicle.
(b) Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in paragraph (a) of this section upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.
(c) Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.






257.685 Head lamps; number; modulator; height; auxiliary, spot, or other lamp; exemption.

Sec. 685.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), a motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least 2 head lamps with at least 1 head lamp on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, in compliance with this chapter. An implement of husbandry manufactured on or after January 1, 2007 shall comply with section 684a.
(2) A motorcycle or moped shall be equipped with at least 1 and not more than 2 head lamps that comply with this chapter.
(3) A motorcycle or moped head lamp may be wired or equipped to allow either its upper beam or its lower beam, but not both, to modulate from a higher intensity to a lower intensity. A head lamp modulator installed on a motorcycle or moped with 2 head lamps shall be wired in a manner to prevent the head lamps from modulating at different rates or not in synchronization with each other. A head lamp modulator installed on a motorcycle or moped shall meet the standards prescribed in 49 CFR 571.108.
(4) Every head lamp upon a motor vehicle shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.
(5) When a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as required in this section is also equipped with auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front of the motor vehicle projecting a beam of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of 4 of those lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at a time when upon a highway.
(6) A motor vehicle licensed as an historic vehicle is exempt from the requirements of this section if the vehicle as originally equipped failed to meet these requirements. An historic vehicle shall not be operated in violation of section 684.




257.695 Minimum lighting for all vehicles.
Sec. 695.
All vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, implements of husbandry, road machinery, road rollers, and farm tractors, not otherwise required under this act to be equipped with head or rear lamps, shall at the times specified in section 684 be in compliance with either of the following:
(a) For implements of husbandry manufactured before January 1, 2007, be equipped with at least 1 lighted lamp exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle and with a lamp exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
(b) For implements of husbandry manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, be in compliance with section 684a.

[Yetti]

ROADS IN UNITED STATES FOREST (EXCERPT)
Act 96 of 1931

249.32 Construction of forest highways; county road commissioners; cost and maintenance.

Sec. 2.
The boards of county road commissioners are also authorized to expend funds either raised by general taxation or received from the distribution of motor vehicle funds for the purposes of the construction and/or maintenance of such forest highways. For the purposes of construction the counties' share of such cost shall be such share as may be mutually agreed upon between the United States government, the state highway commissioner and the board of county road commissioners. The maintenance of any such road built under the provisions of this act shall be a direct obligation of the county in which the said road is located and shall be to all intents and purposes a part of the county road system of such county and shall so remain unless such road has been or may be hereafter lawfully established as trunk line highway. The maintenance and construction of trunk line highways through the United States forests shall be subject to the general provisions of law relating thereto.

History: 1931, Act 96, Imd. Eff. May 11, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 249.32

[Yetti]

207.1122 Dyed diesel fuel; use in motor vehicleon public roads or highways; exception; penalty.

Sec. 122.
(1) A person shall not operate or maintain a motorvehicle on the public roads or highways of this state with dyed diesel fuel in the vehicle's fuel supply tank.
(2) This section does not apply to dyed diesel fuel used in any of the following:
(a) A motor vehicle owned and operated or leased and operated by the federal or state government or a political subdivision of this state.
(b) A motor vehicle used exclusively by the American red cross.
(c) An implement of husbandry.
(d) A passenger vehicle that has a capacity of 10 or more and that operates over regularly traveled routes expressly provided for in 1 or more of the following that applies to the passenger vehicle:
(i) A certificate of authority issued by the state transportation department.
(ii) A municipal franchise.
(iii) A municipal license.
(iv) A municipal permit.
(v) A municipal agreement.
(vi) A municipal grant.
(3) An owner, operator, or driver of avehicle who uses dyed diesel fuel on the public roads or highways of this state is subject to a civil penalty of $200.00 for each of the first 2 violations within a 12-month period. For a third violation within a 12-month period, and for each subsequent violation thereafter, the person is subject to a civil penalty of $5,000.00. , operator, or driver of a motor vehicle who knowingly violates the prohibition against the sale or use of dyed diesel fuel upon the public roads or highways of this state is subject to a civil penalty equal to that imposed by section 6714 of the internal revenue code.

[Yetti]

247.655a Seasonal county road system.

Sec. 5a.

(1) The board of county road commissioners of each county may establish a system of seasonal county roads, which may be part of either the county primary road system, the county local road system, or both systems. A board of county road commissioners in establishing a system of seasonal county roads, may declare a road under the jurisdiction of the board to not be open to public travel during the months of November through April, which road shall then not be open to public travel.

(2) The seasonal county road system shall include any road under the jurisdiction of the board of county road commissioners which that board determines shall not be open to public travel each year for a period of less than 12 months. The system of seasonal county roads shall be selected on the basis of seasonal use of the roads and in accordance with rules promulgated by the state transportation department. A board of county road commissioners may include or exclude roads in the seasonal county road system upon adoption of a proper resolution but only after holding a public hearing. Notice of the public hearing shall be given to the clerk of the county and of each city, village, or township in which the roads are situated and published at least twice in a newspaper of general circulation in that county, the first notice to be not less than 30 days before the hearing and the second notice not less than 7 days before the hearing. The notice shall contain the date, time, and place of the hearing and shall describe in general terms the action proposed to be taken by the board, the roads to be affected, and the period of time that the roads shall not be open to public travel. The business which the board may perform at the public hearing shall be conducted at a hearing held in compliance with Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, as amended, being sections 15.261 to 15.275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. In addition to the other notices required by this subsection, public notice of the time, date, and place of the hearing shall be given in the manner required by Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, as amended. If at the hearing an objection is made to the designation of a road as a part of the seasonal county road system by a person occupying a structure located upon or along the road as the person's principal residence, the commissioners shall not designate that road as a part of the seasonal county road system unless the commissioners provide that person with immediate access to a road which is not a part of the seasonal county road sytsem.

(3) Within 30 days after final adoption of a resolution establishing a seasonal county road system, the board of county road commissioners shall file with the state transportation department and each city, village, or township in which the roads are situated a full record of its determination.

(4) The designation of a road as part of the seasonal county road system shall not affect the certification of the road under this act, but if the road is not open to public travel during the months of December to April, the road shall be excluded for purposes of the distribution of snow removal funds under section 12a.

(5) A road included as part of the seasonal county road system shall be excluded for the purposes of determining the distribution of funds under sections 12(4) and 12b for each year in which the road is part of the seasonal county road system.

(6) A map shall be maintained and on display in the office of each board of county road commissioners which has established a seasonal county roads system which shall also inform the public of the dates the road or road shall not open to public travel.

(7) The board shall place and maintain signs on all roads designated as seasonal county roads, which signs shall describe the roads as seasonal county roads.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(tlv...e=mcl-247-655a