Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 257 / Act 300 of 1949
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.647 (2026)

Turning at intersection; violation as civil infraction.

✓ current as of July 2026
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MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE


Act 300 of 1949


257.647 Turning at intersection; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 647.

    (1) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:

    (a) Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

    (b) Approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line in a manner as not to interfere with the progress of any streetcar, and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered.

    (c) Approach for a left turn from a 2-way roadway into a 1-way roadway shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line and clear of existing car tracks in use, and by passing to the right of the center line where it enters the intersection. Approach for a left turn from a 1-way roadway into a 2-way roadway shall be made as close as practicable to the left curb or edge of the roadway and by passing to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered.

    (d) Where both streets or roadways are 1-way, both the approach for a left turn and a left turn shall be made as close as practicable to the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

    (e) Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause pavement markers, signs, or signals to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles turning at an intersection. When markers, signs, or signals are so placed, a driver of a vehicle shall not turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as directed and required by those markers, signs, or signals.

    (2) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 277, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1961–2026 · leading case: Hainault v. Vincent, 112 N.W.2d 569 (Mich. 1961).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Hainault v. Vincent, 112 N.W.2d 569 (Mich. 1961). “Defendants’ most important contention in relation to the charge is that the trial judge-committed error by quoting the left-turn statute (CLS 1956, § 257.647’ [Stat Ann 1960 Rev § 9.2347]) and calling defendant Vincent’s testimony as to his turn (and why he made *378 it that…”
David Holt v. Detroit Dep't of Transp. (Mich. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 5× “To begin, there is sufficient evidence to create a question of fact whether Reed violated MCL 257.647, which generally prohibits passing vehicles on the right: (1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only if 1 or more of the following…”
Clingerman v. Bruce, 160 N.W.2d 614 (Mich. Ct. App. 1968). · cites it 2× “In its charge, the trial court read part of CLS 1961, § 257.647 (Stat Ann 1960 Rev § 9.2347) which prescribes the duties of a driver intending to turn at an intersection.”
Mazen Sayegh v. Citizens Ins. Co. of the Midwest (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 4× “642, as well as MCL 257.647,5 which requires that a right turn be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, and MCL 257.”
People of Michigan v. Daniel Jay Weaver (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “Finally, MCL 257.647 provides in pertinent part: (1) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows: (a) Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.”
People of Michigan v. Daniel Jay Weaver (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “Finally, MCL 257.647 provides in pertinent part: (1) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows: (a) Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.”
People of Michigan v. Bryan Scott Reynolds (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “Defendant also made a right turn to exit the parking lot and entered the left northbound lane, rather than the right northbound.”
Johnson v. Quaranta (E.D. Mich. 2025). “Officers Dickie and Quaranta were on patrol in their squad car when they observed Plaintiff make an improper left turn from the inside lane to the outside lane in violation of MCL 257.647 (ECF No. 16-4, PageID.178.) The Officers caught up to Plaintiff’s vehicle and noticed the…”
Mayydean Jofferion-Bishop v. Christopher Banks (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “Furthermore, MCL 257.647(1) discusses the obligations of a driver intending to turn at an intersection: (1) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows: * * * (b) Approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of…”
People of Michigan v. Jerry Lee Cummings Jr (Mich. Ct. App. 2026). “709, and he made an improper left turn in violation of MCL 257.647. The trial court then explained that Sergeant Quinn had probable cause to search defendant and his car: This court next determines Quinn was provided with probable cause to believe there was contraband in the…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.647(1) — 1 case
Mayydean Jofferion-Bishop v. Christopher Banks (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “Furthermore, MCL 257.647(1) discusses the obligations of a driver intending to turn at an intersection: (1) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows: * * * (b) Approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.647(1)(a) — 4 cases
People of Michigan v. Daniel Jay Weaver (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). “Finally, MCL 257.647 provides in pertinent part: (1) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows: (a) Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.”
People of Michigan v. Daniel Jay Weaver (Mich. Ct. App. 2018). “Finally, MCL 257.647 provides in pertinent part: (1) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows: (a) Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.”
People of Michigan v. Bryan Scott Reynolds (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “Defendant also made a right turn to exit the parking lot and entered the left northbound lane, rather than the right northbound.”
Mazen Sayegh v. Citizens Ins. Co. of the Midwest (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “642, as well as MCL 257.647,5 which requires that a right turn be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, and MCL 257.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.647(1)(b) — 1 case
David Holt v. Detroit Dep't of Transp. (Mich. Ct. App. 2022). “To begin, there is sufficient evidence to create a question of fact whether Reed violated MCL 257.647, which generally prohibits passing vehicles on the right: (1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only if 1 or more of the following…”
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