May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Michigan: Helmet Law, OWI, and What Plymouth Riders Should Know

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Michigan. The Michigan Department of State runs the "Look Twice. Save a Life" campaign each May to remind drivers to watch for motorcyclists. With warmer weather, more riders are on roads like Ann Arbor Road, Sheldon, Five Mile, and M-14 around Plymouth. With more riders comes more enforcement — and more charges that specifically affect motorcyclists.

Michigan's Motorcycle Helmet Law

Under MCL 257.658(4), Michigan generally requires motorcycle operators and riders to wear a crash helmet approved by the Michigan State Police. However, MCL 257.658(5) provides an exception. Riders 21 and older can ride without a helmet if all of the following are met:

• They have held a motorcycle endorsement on their license for at least two years, or they have passed an approved motorcycle safety course, and
• They carry at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits coverage in addition to standard insurance.

If the rider is carrying a passenger, the passenger must also meet the insurance requirement.

Riders under 21 must always wear a helmet — there is no exception.

Violating the helmet law is a civil infraction. It does not add points to your driver's license, but it can become relevant in injury cases.

Motorcycle OWI

OWI law applies to motorcycles the same way it does to cars. Under MCL 257.625, operating a motorcycle with a BAC of .08 or more (or .17 for High BAC), or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is a misdemeanor punishable by:

• Up to 93 days in jail (180 days for High BAC),
• Fines from $100–$500 (or $200–$700 for High BAC),
• License sanctions,
• Six points,
• Possible vehicle (motorcycle) immobilization, and
• Substance abuse assessment.

Endorsement and Insurance Requirements

Michigan law requires a motorcycle endorsement (CY) on a regular driver's license to legally ride a motorcycle (MCL 257.312a). Riding without an endorsement can result in a misdemeanor charge and additional penalties.

Failure to carry the required insurance is a separate offense.

Common May Issues

• Stops for equipment violations (lighting, exhaust, plates).
• Speeding and reckless driving on county roads.
• OWI investigations after summer events.
• Helmet violations for riders under 21 or those without the required insurance.

Call Boria Law Today

If you are a motorcyclist and were ticketed or arrested in Wayne County, attorney Aaron J. Boria of Boria Law can help. Boria Law handles motorcycle OWI, endorsement violations, and traffic-criminal charges across Plymouth, Canton, and surrounding communities.

Call (734) 453-7806 today for a free consultation.