Author: Jason Waechter | Date: April 26, 2025 | Category: MC Legal Minute
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.
A Michigan motorcyclist riding over 35 mph must either have a windshield on their bike or wear shatter-resistant goggles, glasses or a face shield. The equipment must be able to protect the eyes from insects and other airborne material, as well as highway surface water and debris.
Violating this traffic offense is just a civil infraction – there are no points assessed, just a fine of about $100.
The answer is yes when you are traveling 35 mph or faster, you must have a windshield, or wear shatter-resistant googles glasses or a faceshield. It makes good sense to always wear eye protection when riding your motorcycle.
Here is the Michigan statute that applies to motorcycle windshields and eye protection:
A motor vehicle shall not be operated on the public highways of this state unless it is equipped with a windshield of sufficient dimensions to protect the driver and occupants from insects, other airborne objects, and highway surface water and debris, when the motor vehicle is moving forward.
A farm tractor, other implement of husbandry, and historic vehicles as defined in section 803a are exempt from this section.
When a motorcycle operated on the public highways of this state in excess of 35 miles per hour is not equipped with a windshield, the operator shall wear goggles with transparent lenses or a transparent face shield or eyeglasses, which goggles, eyeglasses, or face shield shall be of shatter resistant material and of sufficient size to protect his eyes against insects, other airborne material, and highway surface water and debris.
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