Michigan Autocycle Law: Do You Need a Motorcycle Endorsement?

The Motorcycle Legal Minute™ was created by Jason Waechter, THE Motorcycle Lawyer, to explain Michigan’s motorcycle law in a short and easy to understand way.

Let’s talk about Autocycles. An autocycle is a vehicle with no more than 3 wheels, that does not have a seat that you straddle, and does have safety belts and a roll bar.

Is a Polaris Slingshot a Motorcycle or an Autocycle?

It is the term they gave for those vehicles with two wheels in the front and one in the back that you sit down into. The Polaris Slingshot is a popular autocycle.

An autocycle is considered a motorcycle under Michigan’s No-Fault law, so you do need insurance, you do have to wear the seatbelt, you do NOT need a motorcycle endorsement and you do NOT need a helmet.

Autocycles also raise common questions about helmet use. For more information, see our guide to Michigan autocycle helmet laws.

Here is the Michigan law on Autocycle. It is found at MCL 257.25a:

“Autocycle” defined.

“Autocycle” means a motorcycle that is equipped with safety belts, rollbar or roll hoops, handlebars or a steering wheel, and equipment otherwise required on a motorcycle, has not more than 3 wheels in contact with the roadway at any 1 time, and is not equipped with a straddle seat.

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