Is It Illegal to Let Your Car Warm Up in Michigan? – Screamin’ Scott
(Photo by Ken Stewart/Getty Images)

Is it Illegal to Warm Your Car?
Now that we have been hit with our first taste of winter here in Michigan, the question comes up often, “Is it illegal to warm your vehicle up in Michigan?”
A change to Michigan a few years back was the Michigan House Bill 4215 amended the law, rescinding wording that made the practice illegal. This allows vehicle owners to warm up their vehicles in their private driveways without the risk of penalty. You can warm a car or truck in your driveway without a ticket. You cannot warm your car in a private roadway or parking lot. Great news if you are not a fan of this cold weather back in the Metro Detroit area. I remember a Roseville man getting headlines in the news (not me), getting a ticket for warming his car in his driveway. This story was so big it had a hand in the Michigan law getting amended. Michigan drivers know the odds of getting their car taken easily by thieves. Fun also explaining to your insurance agent how you lost your car.
To answer the question, yes you can warm a car or truck but in your driveway. Keep warm everyone, I have a feeling it’s going to be a long winter. Time for me to start, “RED,” that is what I named my truck. Not looking forward to the drive-in today. Be careful everyone.
My Must Watch Christmas Classics - Screamin' Scott
Born in Mt Clemens, Screamin’ Scott has been a part of the Detroit airwaves for 30-plus years. With 40 years of experience in radio. When he’s not out on the streets for WCSX, you can find him devoting time to local charities with his, “Screamin Angels”; and for 16 years with Rock 4 Tots charity. And last 10 years with his local band, "Chit!." Screamin Scott likes to write about nostalgic Detroit area memories, classic rock, and local metro Detroit topics.
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