FastFacts Information Service This information is furnished with the understanding that AMG, LLC is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. Changes in the law may render this information invalid. Legal advice or other expert assistance should be obtained before acting upon any FastFacts information.

# 9485 - MICHIGAN: SLOW MOVING VEHICLE EMBLEM REGULATIONS

The following is a summary of information from Michigan's motor vehicle code.

MCLA 257.16

"Farm Tractor" means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, moving machines, and other implements of husbandry.

MCLA 257.216

"Special Mobile Equipment" means every vehicle not designed or used primarily for transportation of

persons or property and incidentally operated or moved over the highways, including farm tractors... MCLA 257.216

A license plate is not required on any implement of husbandry.

MCLA 257.302(b)

A drivers' license in not required for operation of an implement of husbandry.

MCLA 257.631(2)(a)(b)

Posted weight limitations on public bridges, causeways, or viaducts do not apply to implements of husbandry being used for a function essential to a farm operation otherwise reasonably inaccessible to vehicles performing the essential agricultural function.

MCLA 257.679a(1)

Self-propelled farm implements must not be operated on freeways or limited access highways.

MCLA 257.688(g)

Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems and additional reflectors are required on any implement of husbandry, farm tractor, special mobile equipment, and every vehicle with a maximum speed potential of 25 miles an hour operated on public highways. The used of the SMV emblem is limited to the vehicles described in this section and the use on any other vehicle or stationary object is prohibited.

MCLA 257.684(a), 257.695

Implements of husbandry and farm tractors require at least 1 lighted while lamp or lantern, visible from a distance of 500 feet, on the front of the vehicle and one red lamp or lantern to the rear of the vehicle, visible from a distance of 300 feet, at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discemible persons an vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead.

MCLA 257.698(f)

A vehicle towing an implement of husbandry or an implement of husbandry may be equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights. Amber is the only color permitted for this application.

MCLA 257.705(3)

A farm wagon or an implement of husbandry drawn by a motor vehicle does not need to be equipped with brakes if it does not exceed 25 miles per hour or any other implement or component speed limitation.

MCLA 257.716(2)

The provision governing size, weight, and load do not apply to an implement of husbandry incidentally moved upon a highway.

MCLA 257.717(2)

A implement of husbandry must be operated so as to minimize the interruption of traffic flow.

MCLA 257.639, 257.717(2)

An implement of husbandry must be operated to the right of the center of the roadway: when approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within a distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction; when the view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct, or tunnel; and from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise or any time visibility is substantially diminished due to weather conditions.

MCLA 257.725(3)

Crawler or track-type tractors must not be operated on roads unless owner has a special permit from state highway commissioner, county road commission or other authority having jurisdiction.

MCLA 257.717(2)

A person operating an implement of husbandry shall follow all traffic regulations.

MCLA 257.625

Driving and drinking laws apply to implements of husbandry.

[Also see FastFacts #9486, Today's Farm Equipment on Public Roads; and FastFacts #9485, SMV Regs]

--September 1996