As you may know, Michigan's off-road vehicle (ORV) law has been changed to provide a quality recreation system for ORV users and to reduce environmental damage caused by inappropriate use of ORVs. The new system will provide a safe, legal system of trails, routes and scramble areas and will clarify where it is legal to operate ORVs.
Effective June 12,1991 all state-owned lands and roads in the Lower Peninsula were closed for ORV use except where they are clearly signed open to ORV use. Following is a summary of the changes in the law:
In the Upper Peninsula:
LEGAL You may ride licensed ORVs on all marked ORV trails and on state-owned forest roads
on which conventional two-wheel drive cars may be driven.
ILLEGAL You may not ride ORVs off roads or trails. You may not ride ORVs on private land without written permission.
In the Lower Peninsula:
LEGAL You may ride licensed ORVs on all signed ORV trails, all designated scramble areas, and all signed forest roads. ORV use on signed traits is limited to ORVs 50 inches or less in width. The signs marking the beginning of the trails and forest roads have a symbol of an all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle on them.
ILLEGAL You may not ride ORVs off roads or trails. You may not ride ORVs on private lands without written permission. You may not ride ORVs on unsigned state forest roads.
In the Upper and Lower Peninsula, it is illegal to ride an ORV on county roads or road rights-of-way except those specifically authorized for ORV use by county ordinance. It is also illegal to ride ORVs on state or federal highways, on the right-of-way of a state or federal highway or on a city street.
All motor vehicles licensed to operate on public streets or highways by the Secretary of State may be operated on state-owned forest roads and are not required to have an ORV license.
All ORVs that operate on a signed ORV trail, in designated ORV scramble areas, or on private lands, must have an ORV license. A vehicle that is registered as an ORV with the Secretary of State need not have an ORV license until the current registration expires.
Individuals who have been issued either a Secretary of State handicapped license plate or placard, a DNR handicap permit to hunt from a standing vehicle, or a signed DNR affidavit certifying the individual is handicapped signed by a physician, may operate licensed ORVs on all forest roads or state-owned lands for access, as well as signed trails and scramble areas.
Required annual ORV licenses ( $16.25 ) are available by mail from the CCC office, 10504 Broughwell Rd, Rives Junction, Mi 49277-9524; phone (517) 569-9999, at CCC Trail Tours, participating ORV dealerships, electronic licensing agents, DNR District Offices, and by mail from the DNR License Control, Box 30028, Lansing, Michigan 48909; phone (517) 335-3272.
"Michigan's Off Road Vehicle Guide" provides a detailed explanation of all the changes In the ORV law, Including Increased penalties, ORV ownership, education, and operations. The guide also Indicates where to obtain maps of the state's ORV trail system.
The guide is available at participating ORV dealerships and DNR district offices.
