Michigan Speeding Laws

Basic Speed Law: A person shall operate a vehicle at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other condition then existing. MICH. § 257.627(1)

Penalty for Exceeding Speed Limit

A first time violator may be:

• fined not more than $100, and
• the violator’s license may be suspended not more than one year.

Penalty for Reckless Driving

A first time violator may be:

• fined not more than $100,
• sentenced to jail time of not more than not more than 90 days, and
• the violator’s license may be suspended not more than 90 days.

Speed Limits

• 70 MPH on parts of freeways under a special speed study.
• 65 MPH, except as noted above, on freeways
• 55 MPH on other highways
• 25 MPH (prima facie unlawful speed) in business or residence districts, in public parks or in school zones
• 25 MPH on county highways or interconnected group of county highways not more than 1 mile in total length that connect with a county road system.

Point System

A person's license is subject to suspension for not more than 1 year if they accumulate 12 points within a 2-year period. The following points are assigned for speeding and speed related violations:  Felony resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle-6 points; reckless driving-6 points; drag racing-4 points; exceeding the speed by more than 15 MPH-4 points; careless driving-3 points; exceeding the speed by more than 10 MPH but less than 15 MPH-3 points; exceeding the speed limit by less than 10 MPH-2 points; and, all other speed related moving violation-2 points. However, the following points are assessed for exceeding the speed limit on highways where the speed limit is more than 55 MPH if the offender has responded "with an explanation" to a civil infraction:  1 to 5 MPH over the limit-0 points; 6 to 10 MPH over the limit-1 point; 11 to 15 MPH over the limit-2 points; 16 to 25 MPH over the limit-3 points; and, more than 26 MPH over the limit-4 points.