MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 300 of 1949 MISCELLANEOUS RULES

257.676 Unattended vehicle; setting brakes, stopping motor, placing in park, removing ignition key, and turning front wheels; vehicle with remote starter; rescission of R 28.1458; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 676.

(1) A person shall not allow a motor vehicle to stand on a highway unattended without engaging the parking brake or placing the vehicle in park, stopping the motor of the vehicle, and removing and taking possession of the ignition key. If the vehicle is standing upon a grade, the front wheels of the vehicle shall be turned to the curb or side of the highway. This section does not apply to a vehicle that is standing in place and is equipped with a remote start feature, if the remote start feature is engaged.

(2) R 28.1458 of the Michigan Administrative Code is rescinded.

(3) A person who violates subsection (1) is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 518, Eff. Mar. 31, 1981 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 184, Imd. Eff. Oct. 17, 2003 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 61, Eff. Sept. 26, 2017

257.676a Sale or display for sale of produce or merchandise within right-of-way of highway; civil infraction; issuance of permit; conditions; exceptions; logo signage; disposition of revenue.

Sec. 676a.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person, firm, or corporation who sells or offers for sale, or displays or attempts to display for sale, goods, wares, produce, fruit, vegetables, or merchandise within the right-of-way of a highway outside of the corporate limits of a city or village, or within the right-of-way of a state trunk line highway, is responsible for a civil infraction.

(2) The state transportation department may issue a permit to a person, firm, or corporation to conduct activities described in subsection (1) if the permitted activities do not create an unsafe situation and do not interfere with transportation along the state trunk line highway. As a condition of issuing a permit under this subsection, the state transportation department shall require the municipality having jurisdiction over the site to pass a resolution authorizing the activities described in subsection (1) and may require that the municipality having jurisdiction over the site of the permitted activities agree to enforce compliance with the permit. The issuance of a permit under this subsection does not confer any property right. The state transportation department may charge a fee for issuing a permit under this subsection in an amount not greater than the administrative cost of issuing the permit.

(3) A holder of a permit issued under subsection (2) that conducts activities in violation of that permit is responsible for a civil infraction. Each day during which the permit holder conducts activities in violation of the permit is a separate violation. The state transportation department may limit or revoke a permit issued under subsection (2) if the permit holder conducts activities that create an unsafe situation or interfere with transportation along the state trunk line highway, or if the permit holder is in violation of the conditions of the permit.

(4) This section does not interfere with a permanently established business that, as of September 27, 1957, was located on or partially on private property or grant to the owner of that business additional rights or authority that the owner did not possess on September 27, 1957, or diminish the legal rights or duties of the authority having jurisdiction of the right-of-way.

(5) In conjunction with the exemption granted by federal law from the restrictions contained in 23 USC 111, and described in the "manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways", U.S. department of transportation and federal highway administration, part 2g (LOGOS), this section does not prohibit the use of a facility located in part on the right-of-way of I-94 in the vicinity of the interchange of I-94 and I-69 business loop/I-94 business loop for the sale of only those articles which are for export and consumption outside the United States.

(6) This section does not prohibit the use of logo signage within the right-of-way of limited access highways. For purposes of this subsection, "logo signage" means a sign containing the trademark or other symbol that identifies a business in a manner and at locations approved by the state transportation department. The state transportation department may enter into agreements to allow logo signage, and any revenue received by the state transportation department under this subsection shall be deposited into the state trunk line fund established under section 11 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.661.

History: Add. 1957, Act 269, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 222, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 87, Imd. Eff. May 30, 1990 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 92, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1995 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 224, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1998 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 46, Imd. Eff. June 15, 1999 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 1, Imd. Eff. Mar. 24, 2005

257.676b Interference with normal flow of vehicular, streetcar, or pedestrian traffic prohibited; public utility facilities; solicitation of contributions on behalf of charitable or civic organization; violation as civil infraction; local regulations; "charitable or civic organization" defined.

Sec. 676b.

(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person, without authority, shall not block, obstruct, impede, or otherwise interfere with the normal flow of vehicular, streetcar, or pedestrian traffic upon a public street or highway in this state, by means of a barricade, object, or device, or with his or her person. This section does not apply to persons maintaining, rearranging, or constructing public utility or streetcar facilities in or adjacent to a street or highway.

(2) Subsection (1) and any provision of the Michigan Administrative Code that prohibits a person from standing in a roadway other than a limited access highway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment, or business from the occupant of any vehicle do not apply to a person who is soliciting contributions on behalf of a charitable or civic organization during daylight hours, if all of the following are satisfied:

(a) The charitable or civic organization complies with applicable local government regulations. A local government may enact or enforce regulations restricting, but not prohibiting, the activity described in this subsection.

(b) The charitable or civic organization maintains at least $500,000.00 in liability insurance.

(d) The person is wearing high-visibility safety apparel that meets current American standards promulgated by the International Safety Equipment Association.

(e) The portion of the roadway upon which the solicitation occurs is not a work zone and is within an intersection where traffic control devices are present.

(f) The solicitation does not block, delay, or otherwise interfere with the movement of a streetcar on a streetcar track.

(3) A local government or road authority that has jurisdiction over a roadway upon which solicitation occurs as described in subsection (2) is not liable for any claim for damages arising out of the use of the roadway as described in subsection (2).

(4) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

(5) A local government that, on July 27, 2017, has enacted or is enforcing regulations that are prohibited under subsection (2)(a) shall bring those regulations into compliance with subsection (2)(a) no later than September 25, 2017.

(6) As used in this section, "charitable or civic organization" means a nonprofit organization that is qualified under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), or 501(c)(10) of the internal revenue code of 1986, 26 USC 501, or a veterans' organization that has tax-exempt status under the internal revenue code.

History: Add. 1968, Act 151, Eff. Nov. 15, 1968 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 112, Imd. Eff. July 27, 2017 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 75, Imd. Eff. Mar. 19, 2018 ;-- Am. 2021, Act 43, Imd. Eff. July 1, 2021

257.676c Scene of motor vehicle accident or disabled vehicle; business solicitation by wrecker, recovery, or towing service; prohibition; violation; civil fine; exception; request by owner or operator of motor vehicle.

Sec. 676c.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person shall not travel to the scene of a motor vehicle accident or a disabled vehicle located on public property, property open to the public, or a state trunk line highway and solicit business for a wrecker, recovery, or towing service. A person who violates this subsection is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of $1,000.00.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if any of the following conditions apply:

(a) A law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the scene of the accident or disabled vehicle, or an individual involved in that accident or disabled vehicle, requests the owner or operator of a wrecker or towing service to come to the scene.

(b) A wrecker, recovery truck, or tow truck operator, who does not travel to the scene of a motor vehicle accident or disabled vehicle as described in subsection (1) for the purpose of soliciting business for a wrecker, recovery, or towing service, offers assistance to a stranded motorist without creating a nuisance or interfering with management of a motor vehicle accident by law enforcement.

(3) Subject to section 252d, the law enforcement agency at the scene shall permit an owner or operator of a motor vehicle to request the towing, wrecker, or recovery service or roadside assistance service of his or her choice unless the vehicle is involved in a suspected criminal activity, fatality, or law enforcement investigation, if the vehicle is being impounded, or if the requested preference wrecker service is unavailable or cannot respond within a timely manner and the vehicle is creating a road or safety hazard as determined by law enforcement at the scene.

History: Add 2014, Act 303, Eff. Jan. 7, 2015

257.676d Contract between local unit of government and wrecker, recovery, or towing service; incentives prohibited.

Sec. 676d.

(1) A local unit of government shall not require as a term of a contract with a wrecker, recovery, or towing service that the wrecker, recovery, or towing service pay a fee to that local unit of government for responding to the scene of an impound, accident, disabled vehicle, or abandoned vehicle and providing wrecker, recovery, or towing services. A local unit of government shall not accept a payment, commission, or portion of wrecker, recovery, or towing service fees from a wrecker, recovery, or towing service in exchange for securing business for that wrecker, recovery, or towing service.

(2) A wrecker, recovery, or towing service shall not offer to a local unit of government a payment, fee, or commission to induce the local unit of government to enter into a contract with or secure business for the wrecker, recovery, or towing service.

(3) This section only applies to a contract between a local unit of government and a wrecker, recovery, or towing service that is entered into or renewed after January 7, 2015.

History: Add. 2014, Act 303, Eff. Jan. 7, 2015 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 141, Eff. Oct. 6, 2020

257.677 Interference with view or control of driver or operation; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 677.

(1) A person shall not drive a vehicle when it is loaded, or when there are in the front seat a number of persons, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.

(2) A passenger in a vehicle or streetcar shall not ride in a position as to interfere with the driver's or operator's view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with the driver's or operator's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle or streetcar.

(3) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979

257.677a Obstruction of safety vision by removal or deposit of snow, ice, or slush prohibited.

Sec. 677a.

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Person" does not include the state or a political subdivision of the state or an employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state operating within the scope of his duties.

(b) "Safety vision" means an unobstructed line of sight enabling a driver to travel upon, enter, or exit a roadway in a safe manner.

(2) A person shall not remove, or cause to be removed, snow, ice, or slush onto or across a roadway or the shoulder of the roadway in a manner which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle other than off-road vehicles.

(3) A person shall not deposit, or cause to be deposited, snow, ice, or slush onto or across a roadway or the shoulder of the roadway in a manner which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle.

(4) A person shall not deposit, or cause to be deposited, snow, ice or slush on any roadway or highway.

(5) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $100.00.

History: Add. 1978, Act 82, Imd. Eff. Mar. 29, 1978 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 382, Eff. Oct. 1, 2021

257.678 Coasting prohibited; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 678.

(1) The driver of a motor vehicle when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the gears of the vehicle in neutral.

(2) The driver of a commercial motor vehicle when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the clutch disengaged.

(3) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979

257.679 Following or parking within certain distance of fire apparatus; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 679.

(1) The driver of a vehicle other than a vehicle on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet or driver into or park the vehicle within 500 feet where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.

(2) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979
Compiler's Notes: The words “driver into” in subsection (1) evidently should read “drive into”.

257.679a Limited access highway; pedestrians and certain vehicles prohibited; bicycles permitted on paths; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 679a.

(1) A person shall not operate a motorcycle with less than a 125 cubic centimeter engine, moped, farm tractor, or other self-propelled farm implement, nor shall a pedestrian, bicycle, except as provided in this section, or other nonmotorized traffic be permitted on a limited access highway in this state. Bicycles shall be permitted on paths constructed separately from the roadway and designated for the exclusive use of bicycles.

(2) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: Add. 1961, Act 164, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 222, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 134, Imd. Eff. June 1, 1970 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 212, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1974 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 439, Imd. Eff. Jan. 13, 1977 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979

257.680 Driving over unprotected fire hose; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 680.

(1) A streetcar or vehicle shall not be driven over an unprotected hose of a fire department when laid down on a street, private driveway, or streetcar track, to be used at a fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the fire department official in command.

(2) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979

257.681 Bus; fire extinguisher required.

Sec. 681.

(1) A person, owner, or motor carrier shall not drive a bus or cause or permit a bus to be driven or moved, unless the bus is equipped with properly filled fire extinguishers as follows:

(a) If the bus is used to transport hazardous materials and required to be marked or placarded pursuant to 49 C.F.R. parts 100 to 199, a fire extinguisher having an underwriters laboratories rating of 10 B:C or more.

(b) If the bus is not used to transport hazardous materials, either a fire extinguisher having an underwriters laboratories rating of 5 B:C or more, or 2 fire extinguishers having an underwriters laboratories rating of 4 B:C or more.

(2) The fire extinguishers required by this section shall be securely mounted on the vehicle in a location readily accessible for use. The fire extinguishers shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to permit a determination of whether they are fully charged and in proper operating condition.

(3) A fire extinguisher, required under this section, must have an extinguishing agent that does not need protection from freezing.

(4) A fire extinguisher, required under this section, must not use a vaporizing liquid that gives off vapors more toxic than those shown as having toxicity rating of 5 or 6 in the underwriters' laboratories classification of comparative life hazard of gases and vapors.

(5) Each fire extinguisher required under this section must be labeled or marked with its underwriters' laboratories rating.

History: Add. 1988, Act 219, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 257.681, which prohibited deposit of glass, nails, rubbish or garbage on highways and required any person removing damaged vehicle from highway to remove any glass or injurious substance dropped upon highway from such vehicle, was repealed by Act 106 of 1963, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963.

257.682 Stopping for school bus displaying flashing red lights; violation as civil infraction and civil fine; meeting stopped school bus on divided highway; proof; rebuttable presumption; use of stop-arm camera system; camera-based violations; definitions.

Sec. 682.

(1) The operator of a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus that has stopped and is displaying 2 alternately flashing red lights located at the same level shall bring the vehicle to a full stop not less than 20 feet from the school bus and shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer actuated. The operator of a vehicle that fails to stop for a school bus as required by this subsection, that passes a school bus in violation of this subsection, or that fails to stop for a school bus in violation of an ordinance that is substantially similar to this subsection, is responsible for a civil infraction and must be ordered to pay a civil fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00. A citation issued under this subsection is not a citation for a camera-based violation under subsection (4), and a civil fine for a violation of this subsection must be applied as provided in section 909(1).

(2) Except where a crosswalk or pedestrian walkway is present, the operator of a vehicle on a highway that has been divided into 2 roadways by leaving a raised intervening space, or by a physical barrier, or clearly indicated dividing sections so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, is not required to stop upon meeting a school bus that has stopped across the raised intervening space, physical barrier, or dividing section.

(3) In a proceeding for a violation of subsection (1), proof that the particular vehicle described in the citation was in violation of subsection (1), together with proof that the defendant named in the citation was, at the time of the violation, the registered owner of the vehicle, constitutes a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the violation.

(4) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if the operator of a vehicle fails to stop for a school bus as required under subsection (1), or passes a school bus in violation of subsection (1), or fails to stop for a school bus in violation of an ordinance that is substantially similar to subsection (1), and the school bus is equipped with a stop-arm camera system under section 20 of the pupil transportation act, 1990 PA 187, MCL 257.1820, the photograph captured or video recorded by the stop-arm camera system may be used as evidence in a proceeding for a camera-based violation. A school district that uses a stop-arm camera system shall provide a photograph captured or video recorded by a stop-arm camera system for use as evidence in a proceeding for a camera-based violation if requested by an investigating law enforcement agency. A photograph or video recorded by a stop-arm camera system is admissible as evidence in a proceeding for a camera-based violation to the extent permitted by the rules of evidence of this state. However, a photograph captured or video recorded by a stop-arm camera system, is not required for the prosecution of a violation of subsection (1).

(5) For a camera-based violation, the operator of a vehicle is responsible for a civil infraction and must be ordered to pay a civil fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00.

(6) For a camera-based violation, by not later than 30 days after receiving stop-arm camera system information as described in section 20 of the pupil transportation act, 1990 PA 187, MCL 257.1820, a law enforcement agency may review that information to determine if there is sufficient evidence that a violation of subsection (1) occurred and, if there is sufficient evidence that a violation occurred, may issue a citation.

(7) For a camera-based violation, if a law enforcement agency determines that it has sufficient evidence that a violation of subsection (1) has occurred, the law enforcement agency may initiate an action by mailing via first-class mail a citation to the operator of the vehicle involved in the violation. The mailing must include all of the following information:

(a) A copy of the captured photograph or selected images from a recorded video showing the vehicle involved in the violation.

(b) If the violation is based on a recorded video, a method to review the recorded video on a website.

(d) A statement of the facts inferred from the captured photograph or recorded video.

(8) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a civil fine for a camera-based violation must be paid to the county treasurer or the county treasurer's designee, who shall distribute the paid civil fines not less than monthly to the school district that operates the school bus. A school district that receives money under this subsection must use that money for school transportation safety-related purposes.

(9) As used in this section:

(a) "Camera-based violation" means a violation of subsection (1) based solely on a photograph captured or a video recorded by a stop-arm camera system.

(b) "Law enforcement agency" means any of the following:

(i) The department of state police.

(ii) The county sheriff's office.

(iii) The police department of a local unit of government.

(iv) Any other governmental law enforcement agency in this state.

(d) "School district" means that term as defined in section 6 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.6, and a public school academy as that term is defined in section 5 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.5.

(e) "Stop-arm camera system" means that term as defined in section 5 of the pupil transportation act, 1990 PA 187, MCL 257.1805.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 48, Eff. Aug. 11, 1956 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 284, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 160, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 92, Eff. Mar. 28, 1963 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 149, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 240, Eff. Mar. 20, 1970 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 66, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 65, Imd. Eff. Apr. 8, 1982 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 188, Eff. Aug. 15, 1990 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 263, Imd. Eff. July 3, 2012 ;-- Am. 2021, Act 50, Eff. Oct. 11, 2021 ;-- Am. 2024, Act 161, Eff. Apr. 2, 2025

257.682a Device causing emission of flame or smoke from vehicle; civil infraction.

Sec. 682a.

A person who installs, sells, or distributes a device for the purpose of causing flame or smoke to be emitted from a motor vehicle, except highway maintenance vehicles, or a person who uses such a device on a motor vehicle which is not a highway maintenance vehicle on a highway of this state is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: Add. 1952, Act 22, Imd. Eff. Mar. 14, 1952 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979

257.682b Permitting person under 18 to ride in open bed of pickup truck prohibited; exceptions; civil infraction.

Sec. 682b.

(1) Except as provided in this section, an operator shall not permit a person less than 18 years of age to ride in the open bed of a pickup truck on a highway, road, or street in a city, village, or township at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the operator of any of the following:

(a) A motor vehicle operated as part of a parade pursuant to a permit issued by the governmental unit with jurisdiction over the highway or street.

(b) A military motor vehicle.

(d) A motor vehicle controlled or operated by an employer or an employee of a farm operation, construction business, or similar enterprise during the course of work activities.

(e) A motor vehicle used to transport a search and rescue team to and from the site of an emergency.

(3) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: Add. 2000, Act 434, Eff. Mar. 28, 2001
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 257.682b, which pertained to persons authorized to be transported on school bus and to first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and traffic flares, was repealed by Act 188 of 1990, Eff. Aug. 15, 1990.

257.682c Operation of commercial snow removal vehicle; yellow or amber light required; civil infraction and fine; definitions.

Sec. 682c.

(1) A person shall not operate a commercial snow removal vehicle to remove snow or ice on a public street or highway or in a parking lot accessible for use by the public unless the vehicle is operated with at least 1 flashing, rotating, or oscillating yellow or amber light that is clearly visible in a 360-degree arc from a distance of 500 feet when in use.

(2) A person who owns or leases a commercial snow removal vehicle shall not knowingly allow a person to operate that vehicle in violation of subsection (1).

(3) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $100.00.

(4) As used in this section:

(a) "Commercial snow removal vehicle" means a vehicle equipped with a plow or other device that is used to remove snow or ice for payment or other remuneration.

(b) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity.

History: Add. 2012, Act 262, Imd. Eff. July 2, 2012 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 382, Eff. Oct. 1, 2021

Rendered 8/15/2025 9:49 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov