Where Snowmobile Operation Is Prohibited

A person may not operate a snowmobile on a public highway, on land used as an airport or street, or on a public or private parking lot not specifically designated for snowmobile use.

Exceptions to prohibited operation include these activities.

• A snowmobile may be operated on a public highway right-of-way, except a limited-access highway, if it is operated at the extreme right of the right-of-way and with the flow of traffic.
• A snowmobile may be operated on a public highway’s right-of-way against the flow of traffic if the right-of-way is a snowmobile trail designated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
• Snowmobiles operated on a public highway’s right-of-way must travel single file and may not be operated abreast, except when overtaking and passing another snowmobile.
• In the absence of a posted snowmobile speed limit, a snowmobile operated on a public highway’s right-of-way is limited to the highway’s posted speed limit.
• A snowmobile may be operated on a roadway or shoulder when necessary to cross a bridge or culvert if the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before moving onto the roadway or shoulder and the driver yields the right-of-way to an approaching vehicle on the highway.
• A snowmobile may cross a public highway other than a limited-access highway, at right angles to the highway, when the maneuver can be done safely and no other vehicle is crossing the highway nearby. The operator must bring the snowmobile to a complete stop before crossing, and the driver must yield the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic.
• A snowmobile may be operated on a highway or street for a special event only with permit from local authorities. The event may be conducted on frozen public waters only with a permit from the Michigan DNR.