We’ve all seen them: People cruising down the highway with 6 inches of snow on top of their vehicle — chunks randomly flying off onto vehicles behind them.
It seems like common sense, if not common courtesy, to clean the snow and ice off your vehicle before heading out so it doesn’t smash into someone else’s car.
Other drivers on the road take their morning rush even further, clearing off only a small peep-hole on their windshield before heading out — hoping, perhaps, that their valiant defrost setting will eventually melt it all away.
But is it legal to drive around with winter snow and ice stuck to your car?
The short answer is no. Michigan’s Vehicle Code requires drivers to remove anything that could block their view, which includes snow.
“(T)oo often, drivers only take the time to clear a tiny porthole on their windshield, posing a danger to other motorists. It’s crucial to know the risks of limited visibility due to snow and ice accumulation and how it can affect your liability in an accident,” Fieger Law said.
In addition, driver’s are required to clear headlights and taillights so they are visible on the road.
State law also says it’s illegal to remove snow, ice or slush and leave it on roads (including the shoulder of a road) to avoid obstructing “the safety vision of the driver,” a rule that typically applies to those clearing driveways or sidewalks.
With winter just beginning, here’s more on Michigan’s snow-removal laws 2025:
Is it illegal to drive with snow on my car in Michigan?
Yes. Any snow that could obstruct a driver’s vision is illegal and could result in a citation. Michigan’s Vehicle Code says, “A person shall not operate a motor vehicle with any of the following: An object that obstructs the vision of the driver of the vehicle, except as authorized by law.
“A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if driver visibility through the rear window is obstructed, unless the vehicle is equipped with two rearview mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the operator has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle,” according to Michigan’s Vehicle Code.
Vehicles are required to be equipped with a functional device (like windshield wipers) to clear rain or snow from the windshield.
In addition, headlights and taillights are required and must be visible, so clearing snow or ice from those areas is mandatory, according to the state’s vehicle code and AutoNofaultLaw.com.
Do I have to clear snow from the top of my car in Michigan?
Allowing snow to fall onto the road from your vehicle that could become an obstruction is illegal, according to Michigan’s Vehicle Code, so removing as much snow or chunks of ice as possible, including what is on the roof is required.
“What it boils down to is this: remove the snow and ice from your vehicle before driving. Make sure there is nothing on your vehicle that may reduce your visibility,” AutoNofaultLaw.com explained. “Make sure there are no chunks of snow, ice or slush on your vehicle, which can easily become a hazard if they fly off your vehicle, causing an auto accident and injury to you…or someone else.”
Can you be sued if falling snow, ice injures another driver?
If snow or ice flies off your vehicle and causes damage to another vehicle or interferes with another driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely, you could be held liable, Fieger Law warned.
While Michigan has a no-fault insurance system for crashes if you’re negligent — for example, by not removing snow and ice from your car — you can still be sued for damages not covered by the other driver’s PIP coverage, the law firm said.
Even if you have liability coverage, your insurance rates could rise or you could lose coverage. If you don’t have the minimum insurance requirements, you could face a lawsuit and have to pay out of pocket, Fieger Law said.
6 ways to quickly clear ice and snow from windshield
The fastest ways to clear windows and windshields, according to Michigan State Police, include
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Do I need to clear snow off car before driving? What Michigan law says
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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