Laws of Driving in Michigan
- Driving laws range from speed regulations to parking restrictions.Cars and Parking Meters image by Towards Ithaca from Fotolia.com
Michigan requires knowledge of its driving laws before being licensed or permitted to operate a vehicle on Michigan's roadways. Understanding these laws helps avoid unnecessary tickets and perhaps even accidents. - Everyone in Michigan who owns a vehicle is required to carry liability and accident insurance. It is illegal to drive without basic no-fault insurance. There are three parts of insurance coverage in Michigan that must be met at the minimum level: personal injury protection, personal protection insurance and residual insurance. Minimum coverage requirements are $20,000 per person injured or killed in an accident, $40,000 for each accident where more than one person is injured or killed and $10,000 for property damage in a state other than Michigan.
- As of April 2010, Michigan drivers are not allowed to send, receive or write text messages while driving an automobile. The fine for a first-time violation is $100 and the fine for a second infraction is $200. For regular cell phone usage, Michigan doesn't have a statewide cell-phone law but allows localities to determine the law. Detroit has a hands-free cell phone law only allowing the use of hands-free cell phones while driving.
- In Michigan, your first drunk driving conviction can bring a jail sentencer up to 93 days and license suspension of up to six months. You also can get six points on your official driving record although you may be eligible for a restricted license after 30 days. For a second drunk driving offense, your jail time can range from five days to one year, six points on your driving record and a minimum license suspension of one year. Your third driving under the influence conviction results in a felony offense and imprisonment from one to five years.
- Teen drivers wishing to obtain their drivers license must undergo a multilevel training process involving a combination of classroom time and monitored driving. The process can start at the age of 14 years and 8 months for Segment 1 of the driver education process. From there, the driver must work up to a Level 3 license, after which the driver is put on a probationary period of three years.
