MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE
Act 300 of 1949
257.697 Signal lamps or devices; exemption.
Sec. 697.
(a) A motor vehicle may be equipped and when required under this chapter shall be equipped with the following signal lamps or devices:
(1) A stop lamp on the rear which shall emit a red or amber light and which shall be actuated upon application of the service or foot brake and which may but need not be incorporated with a tail lamp.
(2) A lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device which conveys an intelligible signal or warning to another driver approaching from the rear.
(b) A stop lamp shall be capable of being seen and distinguished from a distance of 100 feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at nighttime and a signal lamp or lamps indicating intention to turn shall be capable of being seen and distinguished during daytime and nighttime from a distance of 100 feet both to the front and rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a stop lamp or other signal lamps, the lamp or lamps shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. A stop lamp or signal lamp shall not project a glaring or dazzling light.
(c) All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the times mentioned in section 684.
(d) A motor vehicle licensed as an historic vehicle is exempt from the requirements of this section if the vehicle as originally equipped failed to meet these requirements.
History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 55, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1978
Notes of Decisions
Nelson v. Transamerica Ins. Servs., 495 N.W.2d 370 (Mich. 1992).
“…Today, orv motorcyclists are still' covered under MCL 500.3114(5); MSA 24.13114(5). MCL 257.685; MSA 9.2385 and MCL 257.697; MSA 9.2397.”
DiPonio v. McGuckin (E.D. Mich. 2024).
· cites it 9× “” Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.697 (b). Finally, police officers may stop and inspect vehicles and issue traffic citations where “a defect in equipment is found.”
Houck v. Snyder, 134 N.W.2d 689 (Mich. 1965).
· cites it 2× “2388); CLS 1961, § 257.697 (Stat Ann 1960 Rev § 9.2397). [2] CLS 1961, § 257.”
Darcy Weidman v. Home-Owners Ins. Co. (Mich. Ct. App. 2026).
· cites it 2× “Plaintiff asserted that Bardo was presumptively negligent by operating her vehicle with no functional brake lights or turn signal, in violation of MCL 257.697 and several other motor-vehicle statutes, which resulted in serious -3- impairments of plaintiff’s body function.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.697(1) — 1 case
Darcy Weidman v. Home-Owners Ins. Co. (Mich. Ct. App. 2026).
“Plaintiff asserted that Bardo was presumptively negligent by operating her vehicle with no functional brake lights or turn signal, in violation of MCL 257.697 and several other motor-vehicle statutes, which resulted in serious -3- impairments of plaintiff’s body function.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.697(a) — 1 case
DiPonio v. McGuckin (E.D. Mich. 2024).
“” Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.697 (b). Finally, police officers may stop and inspect vehicles and issue traffic citations where “a defect in equipment is found.”
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