Posted: 8/25/2008 5:06:41 AM EDT
| i have heard from 3 people now, including 1 cop that it is legal in mighigan now to ride an atv on paved state and county roads? any truth to it? link? thanks. |
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Unless an ORV is licensed for highway use and has all the applicable (and operational) equipment to be licensed as such, it may not be operated on the roadway, shoulder, or right-of-way of a state, federal, or county road. Been that way forever, and does not only apply to paved roads but any road maintained by a municipality (i.e. county). There have been no recent significant changes to this that I am aware of. Why a revision to the code would specify "paved" makes no sense. You are more likely to see this rigidly enforced in the lower peninsula than the upper (unless you are seen leaving a bar or exhibit other indicators.) Even going up the road a spell from one driveway to another, you will most like be stopped if observed by a sheriff, state trooper, or conservation officer. Keep in mind also that any firearms carried on an ATV must be entirely enclosed in a carrying case, with the exception of those carried under the authority of a CPL. Half of a Kolpin Gun Boot does not count. You can Ask the DNR from their website or call your local field office. You might also want to verify with the Secretary of State office. |
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maybe this is what they are talkin about? Press release from Rep Sheltron. .pdf attached below. Grabbed latest I could find, Should be passed version. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Friends: House Bill 4323, which provides clear legal authority for counties, townships, cities and villages in northern Michigan to allow ORVs on their road shoulders was signed into law this morning. It is now Public Act 240 of 2008. Counties, cities and villages may begin the process of adopting their ordinances immediately. Under the new law, counties must provide a 45 day comment period to their country road commissioners and the DNR (if state forest land is in the county). County ordinances won't go into affect until approved by the county board of commissioners following this 45 day period. Cities and villages do not need to provide a comment period and could adopt ordinances for their streets beginning today. Under law, townships may not begin the process of adopting their ordinances until July 17, 2009 unless empowered by the county to do so sooner. A model ordinance will be available through my office or by contacting the Michigan Association of Counties. Please be aware that the new law removed the old "access route" language previously in law. Consequently, none of the existing ORV ordinances in any northern Michigan county, including the counties in Upper Peninsula are valid. Until new ordinances are adopted, it is not legal to drive an ORV on a road or street anywhere in Michigan. Another common question about the new law is whether it covers golf carts. While it is possible to drive a golf cart on an ORV trail in the state provided it has an ORV permit, this does not legally make a golf cart an ORV. In order to qualify as an ORV, a golf cart has to capable of cross country travel without benefit of road or trail. While some golf carts have been modified to accomplish this and would likely qualify under the new law, the standard golf cart would not qualify. I would like to thank all of you who helped in drafting this legislation during the public comment process and for helping lobby for this bill during the past two years. We overcame stiff opposition from the County Road Association of Michigan and various other Lansing special interests and bureaucrats. Many people doubted we would succeed. But today, we have prevailed in making a historic change to ORV law in Michigan. Enjoy your weekend and start contacting your county commissioners to get an ordinance adopted in your area! Thanks again, Joel Sheltrown State Representative 103rd House District Attached Files 2007-HNB-4323.pdf (83.3 KB) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more info please come to www.greatlakes4x4.com or www.glfwda.org |
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There is a law on the books that allows moving from farm parcel to another parcel on ATV for agricultural usage. You must have the slow moving emblem posted on rear of vehicle and wear a helmet. A local farmer here has been harassed to death by the DNR and now carries a copy of said law on his person. |
Don't know about the quads, but there is a Federal classification of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles that are legal to drive on roads with posted speeds of 35 mph or less. These electric vehicles have top speeds between 20-25 mph. The GEM car and Ford TH!NK are two examples. These vehicle must have turn signals, 3 point restraints, windshield wipers, running lights, headlamps and other requirements to make them street legal. They also have VIN numbers and an operator must have a drivers license. A golf cart does not meet this requirement. |
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Just read the new code. It's a joke. There are so many "what if" restrictions and loopholes that the COs will still have a field day with you if (and this is a big is) any municipalities even adopt it. I would suspect that the DNR is not in favor of this legislation, and will apply pressure locally as needed (especailly in the LP) to see that it becomes a non-issue. Tourism-schmoorism...authors of the legislation were pandering to a certain constituency, and created a cluster fuck in the process. Sound familiar? |
| They need to loosen up the golf cart laws. I worked in a tiny town with a lot of older people. There were about 10 golf carts in town driven by the old folks, not hurting a thing. I would give them a pass, since myself and the Council felt that it wasn't a problem, but the State Troopers would roll into town and ticket them. Judge would throw it out every time. |
All I know is that it was pretty important up in the Atlanta area, where they already don't pull OHV's and dirtbikes over for riding on the street. I was up in downtown Atlanta a month or so ago, reading about this pending bill at a restaurant. When I left to go to the hardware store, a 4 wheeler was going right down main street! I pulled in behind him and followed him for a block or two and a county cop passed us going the other way. He didn't even blink. |
| It has been legal in some counties for a while now. Cheboygan (and I believe Ogemaw) is one example of where it has been legal. The new law makes all other ordinances in the individual counties null and void. Now it is up to each county to write a new ordinance in support of the new legislation. This means even places like Cheboygan must write new ordinances. It is true some counties will not adopt it, but many others will. This was a step in the right direction for ATV enthusiasts in the L.P. |
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Update: Several counties have started the 45 day process to adapt the ORV Ordinance... Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogema, Alpena, Benzie, and several in the U.P. Lake, and Manistee will be sending out the letter of intent the first part of September. Dick Stapley MCATVA |
its legal on the shoulder of many roads up there |
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Looks like the DNR will be buying decible meters,if they dont already have the, "(g) Unless the vehicle is equipped with a spark arrester type United States forest service approved muffler, in good working order and in constant operation. Exhaust noise emission shall not exceed 86 Db(A) or 82 Db(A) on a vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1986, when the vehicle is under full throttle, traveling in second gear, and measured 50feet at right angles from the vehicle path with a sound level meter that meets the requirement of ANSI S1.4 1983, using procedure and ancillary equipment therein described; or 99 Db(A) or 94 Db(A) on a vehicle manufactured after January1, 1986, or that level comparable to the current sound level as provided for by the United States environmental protection agency when tested according to the provisions of the current SAE J1287, June 86 test procedure for exhaust levels of stationary motorcycles, using sound level meters and ancillary equipment therein described. A vehicle subject to this part, manufactured or assembled after December 31, 1972 and used, sold, or offered for sale in this state, shall conform to the noise emission levels established by the United States environmental protection agency under the noise control act of 1972, 42 USC 4901 to 4918. " |