Snowmobile Helmet Laws in Michigan

The state of Michigan defines a snowmobile as a motor-driven vehicle primarily used on snow and/or ice. The state doesn't require owners of snowmobiles to register the vehicle unless it is used on public roadways. However, the state has laws for operating snowmobiles to ensure driver and passenger safety. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment administers the laws. The municipal and state police enforce these laws on public and private lands.

  1. Drivers and Passengers Helmet Use

    • Michigan requires drivers and passengers of snowmobiles to wear crash helmets meeting federal DOT approval. The Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Guide also mandates the use of goggles and/or protective eyewear, secured to the helmet, when using off-road vehicles (ORVs), like snowmobiles. A snowmobile also constitutes a type of ORV, because it's used on alternative terrain. Any person found in violation of this law is subject to a fine for a civil infraction. In Michigan, municipalities have authority to set their own fines for civil infractions, but frequently fines for not wearing a helmet are $100 plus $100 in court costs.

    Required Use of Helmets

    • The law applies to operators and passengers of snowmobiles on any property, public or private. It's against state law to drive or ride a snowmobile without a securely fastened helmet anywhere in Michigan. Failure to abide by the helmet law is punishable by fine as a civil infraction at the municipality's discretion.

    State-Approved Crash Helmets

    • State law provides the Michigan State Police (MSP) the authority to approve crash helmets for snowmobile riders and operators of other vehicles requiring helmet use, such as motorcycles. In addition, MSP is charged with developing rules for instituting state helmet use laws. The MSP adopted the United States (U.S.) Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications (i.e., 571.218) for helmets in 1988. Federal DOT specifications enable helmet manufacturers to self-certify their helmets as long as the manufacturer meets federal standards intended to reduce death and injuries.

      Snowmobile riders must wear state-approved crash helmets that adhere to the specifications set by the DOT and adopted by MSP. Although Michigan Department of State Police doesn't keep a list of helmets meeting U.S. DOT standards, trustworthy snowmobile dealers usually sell helmets in compliance. In addition, paperwork included with the helmet should specify whether or not the helmet meets DOT standards for crash helmets. Furthermore, the helmet should have a U.S. DOT-approved sticker attached to it.

      Novelty helmets generally don't meet DOT or MSP approval.