11-11-2015, 06:58 AM | #1 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 18
|
Street-legal vs ORV in Michigan
I see on the board here that their are plenty of folks who use their carts getting around their neighborhoods and at cottages. and camps etc. Thought I’d share my findings on one way to get around legally in my neck of the woods.
In Michigan we have a law that’s lets individual counties, townships and villages decide via ordinances about Off Road Vehicle usage on roads in their jurisdiction. An ORV is defined as a vehicle that can travel cross country without the use of a road or trail. Pretty much what you do on a golf course so by definition it fits. Certainly if you’ve added any kind of a lift or slightly more aggressive tire, no contest. A Michigan ORV also has to have headlight(s), taillight and brake light, and these have to be operated from dusk to dawn. Note, nothing says these need to be DOT rated and no turn signals necessary on ORV. My local county ordinance lets me ride on the shoulder of the vast majority of the roads near me. We only have a couple of state roads, and I can get almost anywhere without driving on these. Driving on the shoulder is only for the paved roads, if you’re dealing with rural areas and gravel roads, it just means stay to the far right. My county's ordinance does say I need to operate my lights whenever I’m on the road, and has a cutoff time for ORV use of 11pm. I can get an ORV sticker online for $26 and I don’t have to take my vehicle to any state official or police officer to get this sticker. Pretty painless. For my use this is as good as street legal. Much of Michigan, especially northern and rural areas, is similar to my county. Anyone questioning the legal use of their carts when not on their own private property, could benefit from checking their state laws and local ordinances. Going ORV instead of trying to make your cart “street legal" might be good fit for you too. |
Today | |
Sponsored Links
__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum |
|
11-11-2015, 12:11 PM | #2 |
Getting Wild
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 124
|
Re: Street-legal vs ORV in Michigan
That's interesting info. Over here in Ohio, we have a similar situation, but it is up to the County Sheriff as to what type of vehicles will be permitted to get county road use privileges. When a troublesome neighbor started calling the Sheriff whenever he saw a golf cart go by his house, we did some investigating and learned that our Sheriff has opted not to allow general golf cart use on the County roads. It's not like his deputies enforce things to the letter, but when a homeowner calls, they have to be proactive and it makes things difficult for several of us cart owners. Having been a zoning Commissioner, I learned of the agricultural heritage of my County. If you maintain or grow something as many of our farmers do, you are entitled to many exeptions when it comes to both zoning and motor vehicle laws. I regularly use my golf cart to haul water for maintaining the landscaping at both entrances to our development. This problem neighbor had me worried, as I regularly drive past his house on the way to the east entrance. To solve this problem, I dug through my junk pile and found an old race car fuel cell, as well as an intercooler pump from a GMC Syclone I owned years ago. I cobbled them together with a reflective sign from Tractor Supply, and my agricultural vehicle was complete. I don't know if it is 100% compliant with the letter of the law, but I have been watering the plants on the County Road at our development entrance and had a deputy wave to me as he drove by. If the Ag-watering setup was not enough, I was prepared to put a mower assemble under it next, but it never got that far.
|
11-11-2015, 06:54 PM | #3 |
Vegas modded 420
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: West MI
Posts: 15,443
|
Re: Street-legal vs ORV in Michigan
Wow I need a cart like that to roll my yard with! Sweet!
Here it is by county as said, the one I ride in they don't care much people ride carts all over with no lights or helmet or ORV even as the law states. But that place is in the sticks too, no traffic, lot of gravel and seasonal roads. The one I live in they don't allow it far as I know, though people on side roads are sometimes seen as are dirt bikes once in a while, etc., off the beaten path of course. There is plenty of farm land around and they do what they want mostly. City people never like that stuff lol, you can always tell when you find one complaining. They think you are getting away with something, think you dont pay taxes or something? I pay thousands a year for my crappy road I really don't get it. The big issue with street legal is you need a safety glass windshield and as some UTV go that way here it is a pain and costly to install plus all the other stuff. Even then you can't go on federal highways, though you don't really need to. Some people have actually gone back to jeeps lol. You also need plates every year and an ORV sticker. |
11-12-2015, 04:22 PM | #4 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brooklyn, Michigan "Home of M.I.S."
Posts: 3,666
|
Re: Street-legal vs ORV in Michigan
Me and 3 of my buddy's got a 85 dollar ticket each here in southern Michigan, all of us 75 and older.
Local Police Chief and he was going to tow them but couldn't find anyone too....Prick!!!! |
11-12-2015, 05:35 PM | #5 |
Getting Wild
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 124
|
Re: Street-legal vs ORV in Michigan
OMG Stovebolt, that's cold. I'd move or moblize to get elect some friendlier local political critters.. Ehh, maybe not.. Choosing between politicians to vote for, is like choosing which STD is best for you!
|
11-12-2015, 06:26 PM | #6 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brooklyn, Michigan "Home of M.I.S."
Posts: 3,666
|
Re: Street-legal vs ORV in Michigan
Funny part is he jumped out of his car and yelled "well you guys better call someone to pick you up, I'm towing these"
you would have thought we kicked his grandmother in the azz. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Michigan - Street Legal ? | Electric Club Car | |||
Street legal LSV for gas E-Z-GO in Michigan | Gas EZGO | |||
Anyone in IL street legal and running on street? | Electric EZGO | |||
Street Legal Club Car in Michigan $4000 to Members | Golf Carts and Parts |