Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.217i — MI Code / Chapter 257 / Act Act-300-of-1949 / Section 257.217i
Issuance of vehicle identification number and certificate of title for assembled vehicles; requirements; safety study; "assembled vehicle" defined.
Status: in_force

Sec. 217i.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, the secretary of state shall, upon an applicant's payment of the proper fees and submission of all documentation required by the secretary of state, issue a vehicle identification number in the same manner as provided in section 230 and a certificate of title to an assembled vehicle that satisfies all applicable requirements of this act, if the assembled vehicle contains all of the following equipment:

(a) Headlights. As used in this subdivision, "headlights" includes 1 headlight on each side, and high- and low-beam headlights.

(b) Front and rear turn signals.

(c) At least 1 taillight. If the vehicle is equipped with 2 taillights, both taillights shall be in working order.

(d) Registration plate light.

(e) Brake lights.

(f) Horn.

(g) Bright light indicator.

(h) Windshield wipers.

(i) Windshield washers.

(j) Brake equipment as required under section 705.

(k) Safety belts. This subdivision only applies to 1965 and newer model vehicles.

( l ) Safety glass windshield. The windshield required under this subdivision shall not be made of plexiglass, shall be of a sufficient size to protect the driver of the vehicle and passengers, shall be free of any cracks or obstructions, and shall be made of a transparent material.

(m) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (n), adjustable outside rearview mirror on the driver's side.

(n) Outside rearview mirror on each side of the vehicle. This subdivision only applies to a truck with a half-ton or more capacity.

(o) Bumpers. This subdivision only applies to a passenger vehicle. The bumpers required under this subdivision shall be between 14 and 22 inches above the ground when the vehicle is not in 4-wheel drive.

(p) Tires. The tires required by this subdivision shall have 2/32-inch tread, shall not have exposed cord or tread separation, and shall be approved for use by the United States Department of Transportation.

(q) Exhaust. The exhaust required by this subdivision shall be in good working order and shall not produce excessive noise. If the original design of the exhaust included a tailpipe and resonator, the exhaust shall include a tailpipe and resonator.

(r) Differential gear.

(2) The department of state police shall conduct a safety study for the period beginning on January 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2020 of vehicles for which a vehicle identification number and certificate of title may be issued under this section. The safety study shall include all of the following:

(a) The number of traffic crash fatalities occurring on public roadways that involved 1 or more of the vehicles described in this section.

(b) The number of serious injuries sustained in traffic crashes occurring on public roadways that involved 1 or more of the vehicles described in this section.

(c) Any other relevant safety data gathered during the period of the study.

(d) Any safety recommendations that the department of state police believes will help increase traffic safety for the vehicles described in this section.

(3) The study required under subsection (2) shall be filed with the governor, the senate majority leader, and the speaker of the house of representatives no later than April 1, 2021.

(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.

History: Add. 2018, Act 680, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019