Michigan New Resident Guide

Licensing and Residency Requirements

• If a person, after making application for or obtaining the registration of a vehicle or a certificate of title, moves from the address named in the application, the person within 10 days after moving must notify the Secretary of State in writing of the old and new addresses.
• New Michigan residents who are age 18 or older and wish to drive must obtain a Michigan driver's license upon moving to the state or obtaining employment with the intent of remaining in the state.
• New Michigan residents must immediately title and register their vehicles at a Secretary of State office and turn in the title from their previous home state.

Violation Point Counts

The amount of points that go against your driver's license for specific types of violations.

6 Point Violations

• Manslaughter, negligent homicide, or other felony involving use of a motor vehicle.
• Operating under the influence of liquor or drugs.
• Failing to stop and give identification at the scene of a crash.
• Reckless driving.
• Unlawful bodily alcohol content of 0.08 or more.
• Refusal to take a chemical test.
• Fleeing or eluding a police officer.

4 Point Violations

• Drag racing.
• Operating while visibly impaired.
• Under age 21 with any bodily alcohol content.
• 16 mph or more over the legal speed limit.
• Failure to yield/show due caution for emergency vehicles.

3 Point Violations

• Careless driving.
• Disobeying a traffic signal or stop sign or improper passing.
• 11 through 15 mph over the legal speed limit.
• Failure to stop at railroad crossing.
• Failure to stop for a school bus or for disobeying a school crossing guard.

2 Point Violations

• 10 mph or less over the legal speed limit.
• Open alcohol container in vehicle.
• All other moving violations of traffic laws.
• Refusal of Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) by anyone under age 21.

How Long Points Stay on Record

Points placed on your driver record remain there for two years from the date of conviction.

Michigan's point system does not result in license suspension. Instead, it is tied to the Driver Responsibility Program which calls for monetary sanctions for drivers who:

• Accumulate seven or more points on their driving record
• Fees begin at $100 and increase by $50 for each additional point above seven points
• Fee assessed each year in which seven or more points show on the record
• Are convicted of specific qualifying offenses
• May be assessed a fee of $150, $200, $500, or $1,000 for two consecutive years depending on type of offense
• Multiple fees may apply if driver is convicted of multiple qualifying offenses
• Failure to pay results in license suspension

Headlight Laws

You must dim your headlights from high to low beam when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

You must use your headlights:

• One half-hour after sunset until one half-hour before sunrise
• At other times when visibility is reduced (124)
• Any time there is not enough daylight to see people and vehicles clearly at 500 feet

There is no specific law allowing or prohibiting headlight flashing.

DUI Penalties

Driving while under the influence

First offense

• Up to 93 days imprisonment OR
• Up to 360 hours community service OR
• $100 - $500 fine
• 180 days license suspension

First offense, if BAC .17 or greater

• Up to 180 days imprisonment OR
• Up to 360 hours community service OR
• $200 - $700 fine
• 180 days license suspension

Second offense (within 7 years)

• $200 - $1,000 fine
• 5 days - 1 year imprisonment
• 30 - 90 days community service
• Up to 1 year license revocation

Third or subsequent offense (felony)

• $500 - $5,000 fine
• 1 - 5 years imprisonment
• Probation possible with imprisonment in county jail for 30 days - 1 year and community service 60 - 180 days
• Up to 5 year license revocation

Driving while visibly impaired

First offense

• Up to 93 days imprisonment OR
• Up to 360 hours community service OR
• Up to $300 fine
• Up to 90 day license suspension

Second offense (within 7 years)

• $200 - $1,000 fine
• 5 days - 1 year imprisonment
• 30 -90 days community service
• Up to 1 year license revocation

Third or subsequent offense (felony)

• $500 - $5,000 fine
• 1 - 5 years imprisonment
• Probation possible with imprisonment in county jail for 30 days - 1 year and community service 60 - 180 days
• Up to 5 year license revocation

Serious impairment of bodily function (felony)

• Up to 5 years imprisonment
• $1,000 - $5,000 fine
• Revocation up to 1 year
• Subsequent offense: revocation up to 5 years

Child endangerment (operating with a minor under 16)

First offense

• $200 - $1,000 fine
• 5 days - 1 year imprisonment OR 30 days - 90 days community service
• License suspension 180 days

Second offense (within 7 years) or subsequent offense (felony)

• $500 - $5,000
• 1 - 5 years imprisonment
• Probation possible with imprisonment in county jail for 30 days - 1 year and community service 60 - 180 days

Ignition Interlock

If granted a restricted license, must install ignition interlock device for 1 year.

Red Light Violation Fines

Michigan does not have a state law governing red light fines or the use of traffic cameras for red light enforcement.

Turn Signal Information

Signal your intention to turn or change lanes at least 100 feet in advance. In heavy traffic or on freeways, signal sooner so drivers behind you have time to adjust their speed.

Funeral Procession Right-of-Way Laws

• The law gives a funeral procession the right-of-way over all other vehicles, except emergency vehicles, when it is going to a place of burial.
• The vehicles in the procession must display a special orange flag to be accorded this privilege.
• Other vehicles may not pass through a funeral procession.

Bicyclist Passing Distance

There is no specific law regarding minimum safe passing distance.

Using the Shoulder to Pass

You may not drive off the roadway to pass on the right.

Speed Limits

• 70 mph on freeways (60 mph max. for trucks greater than 10,000 lbs., or vehicles drawing another vehicle or trailer).
• 55 mph on other highways.
• 35 mph on a highway segment with 45-59 vehicular access points within 1/2 mile.
• 45 mph on a highway segment with 30-44 vehicular access points within 1/2 mile.
• 25 mph (prima facie unlawful speed) in business or residential districts, in public parks or in school zones or on a highway with 60 or more vehicular access points within ½ mile.
• The prima facie school zone speed limit is in force 30 min - 1 hour before school is in session to 30 min - 1 hour after school is in session, and during lunch periods when children are allowed to leave the school

Emergency Vehicle Laws

Move Over

• When you see any of these vehicles displaying flashing lights while stopped on or adjacent to the roadway:
• Emergency vehicles
• Road service vehicle
• You must do the following:
• On any public roadway with at least 2 adjacent lanes proceeding in the same direction of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle, move into a lane at least 1 moving lane or 2 vehicle widths apart from the vehicle.
• On any public roadway that does not have at least 2 adjacent lanes proceeding in the same direction as the stationary authorized emergency vehicle, or if a lane change is not possible, reduce and maintain a safe speed for weather, road conditions, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic and proceed with due care and caution.

Following

• Do not follow a fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet, or drive into or park within 500 feet of where the fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.

Collision Procedures

• Stop
• Stop at the scene or as close as possible without obstructing traffic more than necessary, and remain at the scene until all requirements are fulfilled.
• If there is a reasonable and honest belief that remaining at the scene will result in further harm, the driver may immediately report the accident to the nearest police department or officer.
• If there has been no serious bodily injury or death, move the vehicle off of the roadway if it may be done safely and the motor vehicle is capable of being normally and safely operated.
• You must provide the following information to any other person involved in the accident, or any police officer at the scene of the crash:
• Driver's name and address
• Owner's name and address
• Vehicle registration number
• Show driver's license
• Provide assistance to any injured person, including transporting them or making arrangements for transportation to a hospital or doctor, if necessary or requested.
• Unattended vehicle or property
• If you have collided with a vehicle that is unattended, locate and notify the operator or owner if possible of the driver's name and address and the owner's name and address. If you are unable to do so, report it to the nearest police officer.
• If you have collided with other property that is unattended, locate and notify the owner if possible of the driver's name and address, the vehicle registration number, and show your driver's license if requested. If you are unable to do so, report it to the nearest police officer.
• If the crash resulted in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more, you must report the accident to the nearest police officer.