Do Traffic Tickets from Other States Affect Your Michigan Driving Record?

One of America’s great seasons, football, is about to start. We have a number of college teams and the Detroit Lions who will travel to other states to play the spirited game that many fans like to watch. A number of these fans will take road trips to various parts of our great country to support their favorite team and produce great memories. It’s a great time of year.

All that out of state traveling brings up a question: A Michigan driver traveling out of state meets one of my out-of-state law enforcement cousins and receives a traffic violation citation. Does the citation show up on the Michigan driver’s driving record?

I went to the Michigan Secretary of State website for the answer.

It is likely that the citation from another state will eventually appear on your Michigan driving record. If the violation substantially corresponds to a violation of a Michigan law, then the conviction will be posted to your driving record and points will be assessed as required by the Michigan Vehicle Code. If the ticket is for an offense for which a suspension would have been given if the ticket had been received in Michigan, then a suspension will be imposed after the posting of the ticket, allowing time for due process and the sending of a notification letter.

Most states are reciprocal and provide ticket information to the driver's home state. Michigan law requires that the same action be taken for tickets received out-of-state as those received in Michigan, therefore, points and suspensions may be imposed.

How many wheels can a commercial truck have?

Here at the Brighton Post we are fortunate to have four officers from the Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division. A Motor Carrier officer’s primary enforcement responsibilities are the commercial vehicles driving on Michigan roadways.

Motor Carrier Officer Clifford Lyden assisted me with the next question. Officer Lyden served five years with the United States Marine Corp, attended the University of Michigan-Flint majoring in Criminal Justice, and has been with the Michigan State Police for 10 years.

Ray Noble of Brighton asks: How many axles can be on a commercial truck?

MCL 257.719b states that the maximum number of axles that a single vehicle or combination of vehicles can have is 11, except when operating under a valid permit issued by the state transportation department or a local authority with respect to a highway under its jurisdiction.

As MCL 257.719b states, there are exceptions for large trucks, with more than 11 axles but they have to have special permits. Also, depending on the size of the load they are carrying, there may be a requirement of escort vehicles or even a police escort.

Is it against the law to have a basketball hoop in the street?

Michele Barnes of Detroit asks: Is it legal to leave a basketball stand in the road when not in use?

I’m going to sound like my parents, but kids, you’ve got to put away your toys.

MCL 257.676b clearly answers Michele’s question by stating, “A person, without authority, shall not block, obstruct, impede or otherwise interfere with the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic upon a public street or highway in this state, by means of a barricade, object, or device, or with his or her person.”

If a police officer came upon a basketball stand, car or any other object left in a roadway, the officer could issue a civil infraction citation to the owner or person responsible for placing that object in the roadway or have the object impounded.

If you have a question or comment, please email it to askatrooper12@gmail.com or send it to: Michigan State Police – Brighton Post, 4803 S. Old US-23, Brighton, MI 48114.