Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.688 (2026)

Additional lights or reflectors on vehicles.

✓ current as of July 2026

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MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE

Act 300 of 1949

257.688 Additional lights or reflectors on vehicles.

Sec. 688.

(1) In addition to other equipment required in this chapter, the following vehicles shall be equipped as provided in this section under the conditions stated in section 687:

(a) On every bus or truck, whatever its size, there shall be on the rear, 2 red reflectors, 1 on each side, and 1 red or amber stop light.

(b) On every bus or truck 80 inches or more in overall width, in addition to the requirements in subdivision (a), the following:

(i) On the front, 2 clearance lamps, 1 at each side.

(ii) On the rear, 2 clearance lamps, 1 at each side.

(iii) On each side, 2 side marker lamps, 1 at or near the front and 1 at or near the rear.

(iv) On each side, 2 reflectors, 1 at or near the front and 1 at or near the rear.

(v) Three identification lamps, mounted on the vertical centerline of the vehicle or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle, except that, if the cab is not more than 42 inches wide at the front roofline, a single lamp at the center of the cab satisfies the requirements for identification lamps. The identification lamps or their mounts shall not extend below the top of the vehicle windshield.

(i) On the front, 2 clearance lamps, 1 at each side.

(ii) On the rear, 1 stop light.

(d) On every trailer, pickup camper, or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of 3,000 pounds, the following:

(i) On the front, 2 clearance lamps, 1 at each side.

(ii) On each side, 2 side marker lamps, 1 at or near the front and 1 at or near the rear.

(iii) On each side, 2 reflectors, 1 at or near the front and 1 at or near the rear.

(iv) On the rear, 2 clearance lamps, 1 at each side, also 2 reflectors, 1 at each side, and 1 stop light.

(e) On every poletrailer, the following:

(i) On each side, 1 side marker lamp and 1 clearance lamp which may be in combination, to show to the front, side, or rear.

(ii) On the rear of the poletrailer or load, 2 reflectors, 1 on each side.

(f) On every trailer, pickup camper, or semitrailer weighing 3,000 pounds gross or less, on the rear, 2 reflectors, 1 on each side if any trailer or semitrailer is so loaded or is of such dimensions as to obscure the stop light on the towing vehicle, then such vehicle shall also be equipped with 1 stop light.

(g) Subject to subsection (3), when operated on the highway, every vehicle that has a maximum potential speed of 25 miles an hour, implement of husbandry, farm tractor, modified agriculture vehicle, or special mobile equipment shall be identified with a reflective device as follows:

(i) An equilateral triangle in shape, at least 16 inches wide at the base and at least 14 inches in height: with a dark red border, at least 1-3/4 inches wide of highly reflective beaded material.

(ii) A center triangle, at least 12-1/4 inches on each side of yellow-orange fluorescent material.

(2) The device described in subsection (1)(g) shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle, broad base down, not less than 3 feet nor more than 5 feet above the ground and as near the center of the vehicle as possible. The use of this reflective device is restricted to use on slow moving vehicles specified in this section, and use of such reflective device on any other type of vehicle or stationary object on the highway is prohibited. On the rear, at each side, red reflectors or reflectorized material visible from all distances within 500 to 50 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps.

(3) An implement of husbandry manufactured on or after January 1, 2007 shall comply with section 684a.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 211, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 163, Eff. Mar. 10, 1967 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 383, Eff. Apr. 1, 1989 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 98, Eff. Jan. 1, 1991 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 14, Imd. Eff. Feb. 9, 2006 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 252, Imd. Eff. July 2, 2012

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 9 cases, 1957–2012 · leading case: Mull v. Equitable Life Assurance Soc'y, 510 N.W.2d 184 (Mich. 1994).

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Mull v. Equitable Life Assurance Soc'y, 510 N.W.2d 184 (Mich. 1994). · cites it 2× “, MCL 257.688; MSA 9.2388. Indeed, on the few occasions this tractor was operated on a public highway, it was operated with a vehicle following it.”

Mull v. Equitable Life Assurance Soc'y of the United States, 493 N.W.2d 447 (Mich. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 2× “, MCL 257.688; MSA 9.2388. Indeed, on the few occasions this tractor was operated on a public highway, it was operated with a vehicle following it.”

Gingerich v. Commonwealth, 382 S.W.3d 835 (Ky. 2012). “29, § 1925 (Maine); Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 257.688 (Michigan) (although § 257.”

Schian v. Bierlein, 119 N.W.2d 611 (Mich. 1963). · cites it 2× “2388), which required him to have 2 clearance lights on the front, 1 on each side, the testimony is undisputed that he did not have such lights, the court is going to find he was negligent in that regard as a matter of law, because the facts are undisputed that he did not have…”

Paddock v. Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Ry. Co., 571 N.W.2d 564 (Mich. Ct. App. 1997). “Thus, under MCL 257.688(2); MSA 9.2368(2), the trial court did not err in finding that the road commission was not liable for failing to erect warning signs or other warning devices at the crossing.”

Tacie v. White Motor Co., 118 N.W.2d 479 (Mich. 1962). “2413), defendants claim that headlights, stop lights, clearance lights, reflectors and other lights required by section 688, CLS 1956, § 257.688 (Stat Ann 1960 Rev § 9.-2388) were operating properly on their vehicles and made them visible to decedent in ample time to permit him…”

People v. Swartzentruber, 429 N.W.2d 225 (Mich. Ct. App. 1988). “MCL 257.688; MSA 9.2388. We reverse. Defendants are all members of the Old Order Amish religion.”

O'GRADY v. Rydman, 81 N.W.2d 383 (Mich. 1957). “’ *• * * “The court is also going to find the truck insofar as CLS 1954, § 257.688 (Stat Ann 1952 Rev § 9.2388), which required him to have '2 clearance lights on the front, 1 on each side, the-testimony is undisputed that lie did not have such lights, the court is going to find…”

Houck v. Snyder, 134 N.W.2d 689 (Mich. 1965). · cites it 2× “2386); CLS 1961, § 257.688 (Stat Ann 1963 Cum Supp § 9.2388); CLS 1961, § 257.”

— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.688(2) — 1 case

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