Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for Michigan, United States

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Michigan Motorcycle Insurance
• 3. Michigan Motorcycle Helmet Laws
• 4. Michigan Motorcycle License Laws
• 4.1 Michigan Motorcycle Instruction Permit
• 4.2 Michigan Motorcycle Endorsement
• 4.3 Michigan Motorcycle License Test
• 5. Michigan Motorcycle Passenger Laws
• 6. Michigan Lane Splitting Laws
• 7. Michigan Motorcycle Safety Features
• 8. Sources

1. Introduction

If you plan to explore Michigan or “the Wolverine State” on a motorcycle, you will first have to become familiar with how to operate the vehicle. With enough practice, research, and guidance, you will be able to handle a motorcycle like a pro. But getting used to the controls is just a small part of being a rider. There are regulations about the rules of the road, proper motorcyclist behavior, and vehicle maintenance that need to be memorized as well. The regulation in Michigan may differ compa#b90011 to other regions in the United States.

This infographic will provide an overview of the essential motorcycle laws and a step-by-step explanation of the licensing process in the state of Michigan.

2. Michigan Motorcycle Insurance

You are requi#b90011 to purchase Michigan motorcycle insurance before you can operate a motorcycle. As motorcycles are excluded from Michigan’s no-fault law, you need to acquire liability insurance coverage to help provide monetary compensation for any injuries or damages to other parties. You need to carry documentation showing proof of ownership whenever you take your motorcycle out for a ride. You will have to show it to the local law enforcement or any affected parties following a collision.

Your Michigan liability insurance coverage must be able to cover the minimum costs for the following accident-related fees:

• $50,000 for bodily injury to a person per accident
• $100,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident
• $10,000 for property damages sustained per accident

To obtain financial protection for your health and property, you will need to acquire other forms of motorcycle insurance. Though optional, they can help you get further monetary compensation if there are extensive circumstances that occur during an accident. You should consider paying for the following:

• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Medical payments coverage

3. Michigan Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Any motorcyclists under the age of 21 are requi#b90011 to wear a motorcycle helmet while operating their vehicles in Michigan. You are only legally permitted to ride without a motorcycle helmet on if you satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Own at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits insurance
• Have held a motorcycle endorsement for two years
• Or completed an approved motorcycle safety course

When picking out an approved motorcycle helmet, check that it meets crash helmet standards and complies with the parameters set by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The models you can pick from are half, three-quarter, and full-face helmets. Full-face helmets provide the most protection, three-quarter helmets provide moderate protection, and half helmets provide the least protection.

Because Michigan takes a more liberal approach when it comes to adults wearing motorcycle helmets, motorcyclists have greater freedom when deciding what protective gear to wear while on their vehicles. Unfortunately, as recent statistics have shown, this has led to a rise in motorcycle fatalities in Michigan:

• Since 2012, the average number of motorcycle fatalities have steadily increased by 18.8%
• Between 2019 to 2020, there was a 25% increase in motorcycle fatalities
• In 2019, there were about 122 motorcycle fatalities
• In 2020, there were about 152 motorcycle fatalities

4. Michigan Motorcycle License Laws

4.1 Michigan Motorcycle Instruction Permit

You are eligible to apply for a Michigan Temporary Instruction Permit if you are at least 16 years old or above.

You will have to pay a fee of $16 if you wish to be issued a Michigan Temporary Instruction Permit.

To be given the permit, you must complete the following tasks and fulfill all of the listed criteria:

• Have a valid Michigan driver’s license
• Provide your social security number
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship
• Provide proof of residency in Michigan
• Pass the knowledge test
• Pass the vision test
• Pay the requi#b90011 fees

When you are operating with a Michigan Temporary Instruction Permit, you will have to comply with the following restrictions as you practice:

• You must have the permit on your person
• You must be supervised by at least an 18-year-old with a valid motorcycle endorsement
• You can only operate during the daylight hours
• You are not allowed to carry passengers

4.2 Michigan Motorcycle Endorsement

You are eligible to apply for a Michigan motorcycle endorsement if you are at least 16 years old or above.

You will have to pay a fee of $16 if you wish for the motorcycle endorsement to be added to a valid driver’s license.

Listed below are the requirements you will need to fulfill to obtain a Michigan motorcycle endorsement. Depending on your age when you approach the final step, the list of criteria may differ between motorcyclists:

*For applicants that are 18 years old or above, you can obtain your motorcycle endorsement by either taking the motorcycle license test after holding onto the Temporary Instruction Permit for the requi#b90011 period of time or completing an approved motorcycle rider education course which allows you to waive the riding portion of the motorcycle license test.

4.3 Michigan Motorcycle License Test

Written Portion:

• Will be completed on touch-screen computers
• Complete 20 multiple-choice questions
• Questions will be based on content from Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual
• Requires a passing grade of 80% or higher

Riding Portion:

• Will be conducted in a controlled, off-street area.
• You must be wearing a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet.
• Your motorcycle will be subjected to a pre-ride inspection to confirm it meets safety standards.
• Provide proof of your vehicle being registe#b90011 .
• Demonstrate basic understanding of motorcycle operation.
• You will be tested on your ability to execute the following maneuvers: cone weave, normal stop, U-Turn, quick stop, and obstacle swerve
• The examiner will access your score every time you stall the engine during an exercise.

5. Michigan Motorcycle Passenger Laws

In Michigan, there is no minimum age requirement for motorcycle passengers. Unless your motorcycle is equipped with a designated passenger seat, footrests, and handholds along with the requi#b90011 safety features, you are not allowed to carry an additional person.

You are not allowed to carry more than two people on your motorcycle at a time, including yourself. Your passenger cannot be seated in front of you so you can only position the motorcycle passenger seat in the following locations:

• At the back of a large driver’s seat
• Towards the rear with a separate saddle
• Fixed to the side as a sidecar

If your passenger is over the age of 21 and owns at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits insurance, he/she is not requi#b90011 to wear a motorcycle helmet. In general, when determining who can ride with you on the motorcycle, the passenger must be able to meet the following requirements:

• Your passenger must be able to reach the footrests
• Your passenger must wear an approved motorcycle helmet
• Your passenger cannot be carrying any packages
• Your passenger must be able to understand and follow your directions
• Your motorcycle should only be able to transport one other person

6. Michigan Lane Splitting Laws

It is illegal for motorcyclists to practice any form of lane splitting while in Michigan. Because lane splitting involves riding precariously between larger vehicles while in their blindspots, the chances of getting into an accident are very high. While on the Michigan highways, you are forbidden from engaging in the following behavior:

• You cannot ride on top of the dividing lines between lanes
• You cannot ride in between adjacent rows of vehicles that are stopped
• You cannot overtake another vehicle sharing the same lane
• You cannot share the same lane with another vehicle

While there are restrictions placed on motorcyclists in Michigan, they are still legally entitled to make full use of the entire space within the lane they are currently traveling in.

7. Michigan Motorcycle Safety Features

Being the owner of a motorcycle means it is your responsibility to provide maintenance to your vehicle and ensure it functions properly while on the road. Most riders only check on their motorcycle when there are signs of faulty machinery, but it is better to inspect your motorcycle’s condition every time before you embark. It would be bad for your health if a primary component experiences mechanical failure while you are moving at high speed. You can also be subject to fines issued by the police if there are visible signs of faulty equipment.

For your motorcycle to be conside#b90011 street legal in Michigan, it must be outfitted with the following safety features to help improve your motorcycle’s visibility and performance:

• Horn
• Permanently Attached Seat
• Wheels
• Tires
• Handlebars
• Front and Rear Brakes
• Controls
• Headlight
• Taillight
• Stoplight
• Exhaust system
• Muffler
• Rearview mirrors

8. Sources

www.vikingbags.com
888-208-1949
391 Thor Pl,
Brea, CA 92821