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Are side-by-sides street legal in Michigan?

Michigan's law on side-by-sides and ATVs on public roads, quoted from its own page, with the conditions, equipment and plate rule.

The law in Michigan

Side-by-side (UTV): Only where it is allowed locally. In Michigan, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"(1) A person shall not operate an ORV that is not registered under the code upon a street, county road, or highway, except as provided in section 81131 or under the following conditions and circumstances: ... (2) Subject to subsection (4), a county board of commissioners may adopt an ordinance authorizing the operation of ORVs on 1 or more county roads located within the county."
ATV (quad): Only where it is allowed locally. In Michigan, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"(1) A person shall not operate an ORV that is not registered under the code upon a street, county road, or highway, except as provided in section 81131 or under the following conditions and circumstances: ... (2) Subject to subsection (4), a county board of commissioners may adopt an ordinance authorizing the operation of ORVs on 1 or more county roads located within the county."
Dirt bike: Yes, with a plate. Michigan lets you register a dirt bike for public roads if it meets the state's rules.
"(1) A person shall not operate an ORV that is not registered under the code upon a street, county road, or highway, except as provided in section 81131 or under the following conditions and circumstances: ... This state does not have a duty to maintain a highway in reasonable repair so that it is reasonably safe and convenient for the operation of ORVs except ORVs registered and operated as motor vehicles as provided in the code."

MCL - Section 324.81131 - Michigan Legislature, checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · Michigan

Where locally allowed

Only where it is allowed locally. In Michigan, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.

"(1) A person shall not operate an ORV that is not registered under the code upon a street, county road, or highway, except as provided in section 81131 or under the following conditions and circumstances: ... (2) Subject to subsection (4), a county board of commissioners may adopt an ordinance authorizing the operation of ORVs on 1 or more county roads located within the county."

Conditions

"(9) Subject to subsection (4), if a local unit of government adopts an ordinance pursuant to subsection (2), (3), or (5), a person may operate an ORV with the flow of traffic on the far right of the maintained portion of the street or county road covered by the ordinance."
"(10) A person shall not operate an ORV as authorized pursuant to subsection (2), (3), (5), or (6) at a speed greater than 25 miles per hour or a lower posted ORV speed limit or in a manner that interferes with traffic on the street, county road, or highway."
"(12) A person shall not operate an ORV as authorized pursuant to this section without displaying a lighted headlight and lighted taillight."
"A person under 18 years of age shall not operate an ORV as authorized pursuant to this section unless the person is in possession of a valid driver license or under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian and the person has in his or her immediate possession an ORV safety certificate issued pursuant to this part or a comparable ORV safety certificate issued under the authority of another state or a province of Canada. A person under 12 years of age shall not operate an ORV as authorized pursuant to this section."
"(a) The operator of a vehicle may cross a street, county road, or highway, other than a limited access highway, at right angles, for the purpose of getting from 1 area to another, if the operation can be done in safety."

Registration and plates

"Unless the person possesses a license as defined in section 25 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.25, a person shall not operate an ORV as authorized pursuant to subsection (2), (3), (5), or (6) if the ORV is registered as a motor vehicle under chapter II of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.201 to 257.259, and either is more than 65 inches wide or has 3 wheels."

Required equipment (1)

A person shall not operate an ORV as authorized pursuant to this section without displaying a lighted headlight and lighted taillight.

Driver's license

"Unless the person possesses a license as defined in section 25 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.25, a person shall not operate an ORV as authorized pursuant to subsection (2), (3), (5), or (6) if the ORV is registered as a motor vehicle under chapter II of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.201 to 257.259, and either is more than 65 inches wide or has 3 wheels."

Riding in Michigan

56 off-road parks listed in Michigan. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.

See Michigan off-road parks

Other states

Side-by-side and ATV road laws in other states

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Common questions

Street legal UTV questions

Only where it is allowed locally. In Michigan, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: MCL - Section 324.81131 - Michigan Legislature.

Only where it is allowed locally. In Michigan, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: MCL - Section 324.81131 - Michigan Legislature.

Michigan's law says: "Unless the person possesses a license as defined in section 25 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.25, a person shall not operate an ORV as authorized pursuant to subsection (2), (3), (5), or (6) if the ORV is registered as a motor vehicle under chapter II of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.201 to 257.259, and either is more than 65 inches wide or has 3 wheels."

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