Yes! Michigan is one of few states where a UTV can be made street legal through an official state process. Street legal UTVs registered as Assembled Vehicles through Michigan become regular street legal vehicles, the highest possible level of street legality in the United States.

With that said, registering in another state could be easier than registering through Michigan with minimal downsides depending on your situation.

Let’s look at both options and review the laws that all drivers of street legal UTVs in Michigan should be aware of.

We have made our best effort to include all relevant details, but something we did not cover might apply to your situation. We are enthusiasts, not attorneys. This is not legal advice.

How It’s Possible to Register a Street Legal UTV in Michigan

The process of making a UTV street legal in Michigan begins with an important vehicle category found in the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code: Assembled Vehicles.

Many states use a similar category for registering homebuilt cars, kit cars, and glider kits, but unlike other states, Michigan allows and encourages off-highway vehicles like UTVs and side-by-sides to become fully street legal Assembled Vehicles.

Off-road vehicles (ORVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road dune buggies can be titled as an assembled vehicle for on-road use.

– Assembled Vehicles Registration, Michigan Secretary of State

Michigan Assembled Vehicles can be driven like regular cars and trucks without the usual limitations often tied to street legal OHV registrations. There are no distance limits, hours of operation, or approved road lists to abide by and helmets are not required. Michigan offers the rare opportunity to make a UTV fully street legal, full stop.

Vehicles eligible for Assembled Vehicle conversion

Michigan allows off-highway vehicles like UTVs and side-by-sides to be reclassified as Assembled Vehicles. Vehicles with straddle seating are not allowed, nor are military surplus vehicles or certain imported minitrucks.

(4) As used in this section and subject to subsection (3), "assembled vehicle" means 1 or more of the following:

(a) A vehicle that is built from new or used materials or parts by a person not recognized as a manufacturer.

(b) A vehicle that has been altered or modified to the extent that it no longer reflects its original manufacturer configuration.

(c) A vehicle that has had its body replaced with a different style of body unit from another vehicle.

(d) A vehicle that has been assembled from a kit.

(e) An off-road vehicle, regardless of whether the original manufacturer's certificate of origin specifies that the vehicle is an off-road vehicle.

(5) As used in this section, "assembled vehicle" does not include either of the following:

(a) A military surplus vehicle designated by the federal government as off-road use only.

(b) A gray market off-road minitruck.

(c) An all-terrain vehicle that has 4 wheels and is equipped with a straddle seat.

– Michigan Statute 257.217i (emphasis ours)

Anything generally referred to as a UTV should be eligible to become street legal in Michigan using this process.

How to Register a UTV as an Assembled Vehicle in Michigan

There are three major aspects of making a UTV street legal in Michigan as an Assembled Vehicle:

• Install the required street legal parts

• Pass official vehicle inspections

• Complete the required paperwork

Reclassifying a UTV as a street legal Assembled Vehicle in Michigan involves a two-stage state inspection process, assignment of a new VIN from the state of Michigan, and installation of several street legal parts.

Initial paperwork, first inspection, and first DMV visit

Though not required, things will go more smoothly if you transfer the vehicle’s title into your name before starting the process. Once the title is in your name, print a copy of Michigan Inspection Form TR-54 and install the parts listed under Unit A for four-wheeled vehicles. Fill out only the topmost boxes pertaining to your personal information and the vehicle’s existing VIN if it has one. Leave the rest of the form alone for now including the parts checklist.

Next, call your local police department and ask to have an officer meet you to perform an on-road inspection of your side-by-side for an Assembled Vehicle registration. At the meeting, the officer will complete the form and inspect the vehicle to ensure all parts are present, working, and installed safely. After the meeting, take the vehicle’s title and the completed TR-54 to your local Secretary of State branch office (DMV) and apply for an Assembled Vehicle Registration. See locations.

Second inspection, insurance policy, and second DMV visit

Over the next 3 to 4 months, a new title will be created reflecting that your UTV has been reclassified as an Assembled Vehicle. During that time the state will generate a new VIN which will overwrite any existing VIN the vehicle currently has. Once these documents have been created, an agent will contact you to schedule a time and location for the vehicle’s second inspection.

The side-by-side will be re-inspected for safety, the new VIN sticker will be applied, and you will be awarded the new title. You will then need to obtain a Michigan no-fault insurance policy for the vehicle using its new VIN. The new policy will essentially be the same as a regular car or truck policy. Once the vehicle is actively insured, visit your local DMV again with the new title and proof of insurance in hand and request to purchase a license plate. Finally, install the license plate on the vehicle and drive away.

Upon completing this process, your UTV will be street legal in Michigan and beyond. It can now legally drive on any road that a car can, and thanks to registration reciprocity agreements between states, it can even cross state lines.

• Helmets are not required for road use but are required in OHV areas and other off-road situations

• Additional details can be found in BFS-72: Instructions for Titling an Assembled Vehicle in Michigan (PDF)

We are not affiliated with this video.

Parts Required for a Michigan Assembled Vehicle Conversion

The following parts are required to register a four-wheeled UTV as a street legal Assembled Vehicle in Michigan.

Body

• Bumpers (14 to 22 inches above the ground when vehicle is not in 4-wheel drive)

• Windshield (Made of safety glass, sufficient size to protect driver and passengers, no cracks, no obstructions, no plexiglass, non-transparent material prohibited)

• Windshield washers

• Windshield wipers

• Driver’s side rearview mirror (Outside, adjustable)

Mechanical

• DOT-approved tires (2/32” tread or more, no exposed cord or tread separation)

• Brakes (Able to stop and hold the vehicle)

• Exhaust (Good working order, no excessive noise, must have tailpipe and resonator if original design had them)

• Differential gear

• Parking brake

• Safety belts

• Horn

Lighting

• Turn signals (Front and rear)

• 2 headlights (One on each side)

• High and low beams

• Bright light indicator

• At least one taillight

• At least one license plate light

• Brake lights

Many of the required parts are either too complex or cost prohibitive to install on a UTV including bumpers of a certain height, a safety glass windshield, and a largely unmodified exhaust system. The challenge of adding these parts has led many people to search for an alternative way to make a UTV street legal in Michigan. Let’s explore that now.

Registering a Street Legal UTV Out of State

Registering your UTV as an Assembled Vehicle with the state of Michigan is a great way to get on public roads, but registering in another state is often faster, easier, and more affordable.

• Fewer parts requirements

• Shorter turnaround time

• No inspections at all

Turning a side-by-side into an Assembled Vehicle involves extensive modifications, numerous inspections, and waiting on the DMV, resulting in a minimum turnaround time of 3 to 4 months from start to finish. These requirements are far more stringent than those of Montana and South Dakota, and you can register your UTV in those states without ever leaving your home (see How to Make Your UTV Street Legal). The resulting out-of-state registration will allow you to drive your UTV on public roads in Michigan and beyond with very few limitations.

Imagine riding your UTV on the trails and backroads of the Upper Peninsula into Wisconsin, on a family road trip from Detroit to Chicago, or along the shores of Lake Erie at sunrise, all without a truck and trailer holding you back. Or haul your side-by-side down to Appalachia, leave your tow rig at the hotel, and drive your UTV wherever you want with its street legal registration. The possibilities are endless.

We’re happy to see you get on the road no matter how you do it, but if you’re interested in registering out of state but the thought of the DMV keeps you up at night, our team of experts can register your UTV as street legal on your behalf while you’re closing all those browser tabs you opened about Assembled Vehicles.

Parts required to register out of state

Thanks to reciprocity agreements between states, a vehicle only needs to have the parts required by the state where it is registered. That means a UTV with an out-of-state registration can be driven on Michigan roads without needing any equipment required by Michigan and without needing to pass a Michigan inspection.

• Here is what is legally required for registrations in Montana and South Dakota (other states)

• These are the minimum parts we suggest having on any street legal UTV

There are also some parts we suggest leaving off which are rarely allowed on street legal vehicles in any state.

Driving in Michigan with out-of-state plates

Although street legal UTVs are a common sight throughout Michigan, we still suggest carrying physical copies of your UTV’s registration and insurance proofs and being knowledgeable about the ways your vehicle is legal for road use (see Knowing Your Legality).

Vehicles licensed in other states can be driven legally in Michigan thanks to registration reciprocity agreements between states, the same laws allowing Michigan Assembled Vehicles to be driven across state lines. Michigan’s registration reciprocity statute is linked in the resources below. Vehicles registered as street legal through Montana, South Dakota, or elsewhere should not need to worry about title transfer windows if residency is maintained in another state or the vehicle is registered to an LLC in another state. In some cases, it might not be possible to transfer your out-of-state registration to Michigan because of vehicle type mismatches between states.

Keep in mind that street legal UTVs in Michigan need to observe all laws and rules of the road just as a car would.

Helmet laws in Michigan

If your UTV is street legal in Michigan as an Assembled Vehicle, you do not need to wear a helmet.

It would then seem that if your UTV is street legal on an out-of-state registration you should not need to wear a helmet either. On the other hand, occupants of OHVs that are not street legal are required to wear helmets in the limited circumstances when they can use public roads, and we could imagine local law enforcement might expect the same of a street legal UTV that’s registered out of state. Unfortunately, the law does not specifically address this situation, so for that reason and for safety reasons, we suggest wearing a helmet whenever you operate a UTV on public roads.

You will be required to wear a helmet in OHV areas within Michigan regardless of how or if your UTV is street legal.

Keep in mind that helmet laws need to be followed on a state-by-state basis. Before you travel, learn the helmet situation in any state you plan to drive in. See other states

Driving a Street Legal UTV in Michigan’s OHV Areas

Whether your UTV is street legal or not, if you plan to operate as an off-highway vehicle in Michigan (in OHV areas, public lands, and other off-road situations) there are some things you need to know.

Many elements of Michigan’s OHV guidelines go beyond the scope of this guide. Thankfully, the Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Handbook (PDF) is the most thorough and well-organized resource we found while researching all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. and 5 US territories for this guide. It covers registration, restrictions, laws, and safety practices for off-highway vehicles and is a must-read for anyone looking to go off-roading in Michigan.

We have summarized the most important elements below.

Registration

To operate as an OHV in Michigan, you must obtain an Off-Road Vehicle License through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and display the corresponding decal on the rear of your UTV. An additional trail permit is required for state-run trails and some OHV areas. These requirements also apply to nonresidents and UTVs that are registered as street legal in other states.

Some areas require other forms of Michigan off-road registration like an ORV Trail Permit and/or a Recreation Passport (Parks Pass). Be sure to check ahead to see what is required of you and your machine. Refer to the following resources:

• When an ORV Permit or License is Required

• Michigan Recreation Passport (Parks Pass)

• Example of a local OHV area: Silver Lake Sand Dunes ORV Checklist (PDF)

Free Weekends

There are certain weekends in Michigan when OHVs do not need any license or permit to ride. Learn more at Michigan DNR: Free ORV Weekend Info.

Equipment

Any UTV operated as an OHV in Michigan is required to have a Forest Service-qualified spark arrester and a good working muffler with a maximum volume of 94 dB(A) for vehicles made after 1/1/1986 (99 dB(A) for older vehicles). Other basic equipment is required, like working brakes and lights, as detailed in the resources linked below. This also applies to UTVs that are street legal on out-of-state registrations. Some OHV areas may have their own equipment requirements and operational rules, so be sure to check ahead when you plan to travel.

Helmet use

In most cases, all OHV occupants must wear helmets. Some areas might give an exception for vehicles “equipped with a roof that meets or exceeds the standards for a crash helmet” and seatbelts securely fastened. Additional exceptions related to hunting, fishing, and private property use are detailed in the Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Handbook (PDF).

In Michigan, UTVs and other off-highway vehicles not registered as street legal cannot use any public road or shoulder unless it has been specifically approved for OHV use. This includes the statewide network of Off-Road Vehicle Connector Routes linking sections of official trails. Additionally, local jurisdictions like towns and counties can designate other roads for OHV use. In all cases, speed is limited to what is “reasonable and proper” for conditions and all road laws and rules must be obeyed.

We can’t cover everything here – please refer to the Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Handbook (PDF) for questions left unanswered.

Which roads are approved for OHVs?

We could not find an online resource answering this question. Contact your local DMV or local law enforcement to learn which roads are approved for OHVs in your area, and please contact us if any online resources become available so we can update this page.

Crossing roads

Michigan allows OHVs to cross public roads (except controlled access highways) at right angles after coming to a complete stop.

Required registration

Use of ORV Connector Routes requires a special permit obtained through the Michigan Department of Transportation: MDOT Permit Gateway. Refer to Michigan DNR: When an ORV Permit or License is Required. Local jurisdictions may have their own requirements.

Required equipment

Off-highway vehicles in Michigan must have the following equipment to drive on approved public roads and ORV Connector Routes:

• At least one headlight

• At least one taillight

• At least one brake light (must be brighter than the taillight)

• Muffler with maximum volume of 94 dB(A)*

• Forest Service Approved spark arrester

• Driver must carry a valid driver’s license

• Helmets are required for all occupants

*  For vehicles after 1/1/1986. Older vehicles are 99 dB(A).

How Michigan defines a UTV

Some of Michigan’s OHV laws were written prior to the advent of modern UTVs and only use the phrase ATV, but according to this local news article written by Lake County Sheriff Rich Martin, “a UTV is considered a 4-wheel ATV and falls under the same operating requirements” despite not having the straddled seating and handlebar steering usually associated with modern ATVs.

Special exceptions

According to the Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Handbook (PDF), vehicles used in farming, agriculture, logging, construction, and official capacities may be eligible for road use exceptions and registration exemptions. Contact the DMV or local law enforcement to learn more.

For questions outside the scope of this guide, try contacting:

• Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles

• Michigan Department of Natural Resources

These are the sources we used to create this guide. If you have any questions about making a UTV street legal in Michigan, or if you found inaccurate or outdated information, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Note: Michigan refers to UTVs and other off-highway vehicles using the umbrella terms ORV (off-road vehicle) and ATV (all-terrain vehicle).

Street legal UTVs in Michigan

BFS-72: Instructions for Titling an Assembled Vehicle in Michigan (PDF)

TR-54: Michigan Vehicle Inspection Form

Michigan.gov Assembled Vehicles FAQ

Michigan Statute 257.217i (Defines Assembled Vehicle and related elements)

Michigan Statute 257.243 (Michigan vehicle registration reciprocity)

Michigan Statute 257.658 (Michigan motorcycle and autocycle helmet laws)

Off-road registrations

When an ORV Permit or License is Required

Michigan Recreation Passport (Parks Pass)

Silver Lake Sand Dunes ORV Checklist (PDF) (Example of what a local OHV area requires)

Off-road driving

Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Handbook (PDF) (Third-party site)

Michigan ORV Riding Guide

Michigan ORV Portal, License, and Permits

Michigan Free ORV Weekend Info

Michigan Statute 324.81115 (Off-road license required)

Michigan Statute 324.81127 (ORV use on state lands)

Michigan Statute 234.81133 (ORV equipment, helmets, legal operation, etc.)

Road use of OHVs not registered as street legal

Michigan SOS: Off Road Vehicles FAQ (Titling, selling, and registering ORVs for limited on-road use)

Michigan Department of Transportation: ORV Connector Route Permits

Michigan Statute 324.81101 (Definition of an ORV)

Michigan Statute 324.81122 (Road crossings, agricultural exceptions, etc.)

Other resources

Lake County Star: “Sheriff’s Corner: A review of ORV rules and laws”

Michigan Statutes