Is Michigan medium-speed vehicle friendly? No state law currently in place.
Street-legal registration and operating rules for low-speed vehicles vary by state and local jurisdiction and may change. This information is general guidance only. Confirm current requirements with your state DMV and local authorities before registering or operating your WaterCar on public roads.
Is license and registration required? For LSVs, yes. A Low-Speed Vehicle must be titled, registered, insured, and operated by a licensed driver in nearly every state. For boats, yes. A motorized vessel must be registered with the state’s marine or boating agency before it can be used on public waterways.
Under current NHTSA regulations, a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) is a four-wheeled motor vehicle with an attainable speed of more than 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface, and a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds.
The federal standard (FMVSS No. 500, 49 CFR 571.500) requires low-speed vehicles to be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and a 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).
An LSV is NOT a golf cart. A golf cart is generally designed for speeds of 20 mph or less, is not federally regulated as a street vehicle, and in most states cannot be titled or registered for on-road use. Manufacturers self-certify compliance with the applicable federal safety standards. Registration and road access are separate questions for state and local authorities.
Find out more information on federal standards for low-speed vehicles at the NHTSA Low-Speed Vehicle page.
USCG guidance distinguishes state registration from federal documentation. Registration and display requirements depend on the vessel and the state of principal use. Check the state boating authority’s current requirements.
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) identifies the vessel and is separate from the road vehicle’s VIN. Use the hull identification and manufacturer’s ownership records when preparing the vessel application. The issuing agency determines how the HIN is verified.
Boat registration is handled by different agencies depending on the state – it may be the DMV, a Department of Natural Resources, a Fish & Wildlife agency, or a Parks & Wildlife department. Registration terms and renewal schedules vary; use the responsible agency’s current schedule.
Road and vessel registration are separate processes. The reviewing agencies determine the records and applications needed for the specific vehicle and its intended use. California DMV publishes a dedicated amphibious vehicle/vessel procedure; confirm the applicable process with your state’s vehicle and boating agencies.
Registers as a Low-Speed Vehicle with the Michigan Secretary of State, which titles and registers it. Carry insurance and a license and keep as far right as practicable. The SOS handles both road and water.
→ Official link: michigan.gov/sos/vehicle
Register the boat with the Michigan SOS using the Application for Michigan Watercraft Title (Form WR-11L) with the MCO and proof the 6% use tax is paid. You receive a Certificate of Number (your MC number) and decals for each side of the bow, valid 3 years (expires March 31). Boats 20 ft+ or with a permanently affixed engine must be titled; boats just under 20 ft with an outboard motor are registered with titling optional – confirm at the counter.
→ Official link: michigan.gov/sos/vehicle/watercraft