Vehicle lifts in Michigan: the plate law's carrier exception

Michigan answers a question most states leave vague. Its registration plate statute says outright that a rack or carrier on the back of a vehicle, "including the object being carried," does not violate the plate placement rule. For anyone hauling a scooter or power chair on a hitch lift, that is reassuring, but it does not cover everything: the plate lamp rule still applies.

Below are both statutes as written, then how Michigan winters and the state's vocational rehabilitation agency fit into choosing a lift.

MCL 257.225 and the carrier exception

MCL 257.225(1) requires that "a registration plate issued for a vehicle shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle." Subsection (2) sets the standard: "A registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which the plate is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging. The plate shall be attached at a height of not less than 12 inches from the ground, measured from the bottom of the plate, in a place and position that is clearly visible. The plate shall be maintained free from foreign materials that obscure or partially obscure the registration information and in a clearly legible condition."

Then comes the sentence that matters for a hitch lift: "The attachment to the rear of a vehicle of a tow ball, bicycle rack, removable hitch, or any other device designed to carry an object on the rear of a vehicle, including the object being carried, does not violate this subsection." The statute's heading lists a violation of the section as a civil infraction.

Two cautions. The exception is written for "this subsection," so the 12-inch minimum height still describes how the plate itself is attached. And it says nothing about lights, which are covered elsewhere.

The lamp rule still applies

MCL 257.686(1) requires "at least 1 rear lamp mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required by this act, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear." Subsection (2) reads: "Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and placed so as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear," wired to light with the headlamps.

If the scooter on your lift blocks the tail lamps or the plate lamp at night, the carrier exception in 257.225 does not fix that. Many hitch lifts come with a plate mount, and some offer lighting; check that the combination lets a driver behind you see red lamps at 500 feet and your plate at 50 feet.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), the state's vocational rehabilitation agency, has published an account of a customer whose job was at risk when "the van he drove with wheelchair accessible modifications and hand controls was no longer safe." MRS "put Benjamin through an updated evaluation with an occupational therapist," and "Thanks to financial support from MRS, Benjamin purchased that van." The page does not set out eligibility rules, so if a lift is tied to keeping or finding work, ask an MRS counselor what the agency can do in your case.

Winter on a hitch, and inside options

NOAA's Michigan climate summary notes that "Snowfall is common in the state but varies regionally," with heavy totals near Lake Superior and the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and that "Multiyear averages for 2-inch extreme precipitation events for the 2010-2014 and 2015-2020 periods are the highest on record." Statewide, the long-term average is 13 very cold nights (0°F or lower) a year.

Out on the hitch, a scooter rides through slush and road spray all winter. Some households choose an interior hoist for that reason; others use a cover and wipe the device down after trips. Either way, clear snow off the plate and lamps before driving.

Lifts to consider

• Harmar AL500HD: a hitch lift for power wheelchairs with powered lifting and folding, a 400 lb capacity and a 26 x 39 in platform. It needs a Class III or greater hitch and includes a license plate mount.
• Bruno ASL-275L Out-Sider: a self-leveling platform for lightweight power chairs that folds automatically when empty, with a third-brake light among its options. Bruno notes that a vehicle's tongue weight rating often decides whether a lift is suitable.
• Harmar AL435T Tailgater: a 3-axis truck hoist that reaches 43 in to the curb or over a 24 in tailgate and lifts up to 400 lb into a pickup bed.
• ComfyGO GO Lift: a portable lift on casters that raises a wheelchair or scooter from 9.5 in to 32.8 in for loading into a trunk, with a removable 24V lithium-ion battery. ComfyGO says it is for flat, non-slippery surfaces.

Try equipment through the Michigan Assistive Technology Program

The Michigan Assistive Technology Program offers free demonstrations and a free device loan program "for typically 14-45 days," and says it comes to you "whether that's in your home, at your local restaurant, or at your workplace." The AT3 Center lists reutilization and a financial loan program for the state too.

Ordering and delivery to Michigan

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC. Shipping is free on orders over $500 and $15 below that, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. See our Michigan shipping page, then the vehicle lift fit check.

Questions about vehicle lifts in Michigan

Is it legal in Michigan for a scooter carrier to block the license plate?

MCL 257.225(2) says attaching a tow ball, bicycle rack, removable hitch "or any other device designed to carry an object on the rear of a vehicle, including the object being carried, does not violate this subsection." The plate must still be attached at least 12 inches from the ground, and lamp rules in MCL 257.686 still apply.

Does my rear plate need a light in Michigan?

Yes. MCL 257.686(2) requires a tail lamp or separate lamp to light the rear registration plate with white light, making it clearly legible from 50 feet to the rear, wired to come on with the headlamps. If a loaded lift hides the plate lamp at night, add lighting or relocate the plate with its light.

Can Michigan Rehabilitation Services help pay for a vehicle lift?

MRS has described helping a customer, whose job depended on a safe accessible van, through an occupational therapy evaluation and financial support toward the van. The account does not list eligibility rules, so ask an MRS counselor whether a lift can be part of your employment plan.

Are hitch lifts a good idea in Michigan winters?

They work, with care. NOAA notes heavy snow near the Great Lakes and a long-term average of 13 nights a year at 0°F or lower. Cover the device on the hitch, clean off road spray, and clear snow from the plate and lamps, or choose an inside hoist to keep the device dry.

Compare lifts in the vehicle lift collection, try the fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• MCL 257.225 (registration plate attachment)
• MCL 257.686 (rear lamps and plate lamp)
• Michigan Rehabilitation Services spotlight: MRS helps customer secure accessible van (2026)
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Michigan (2022)
• Michigan Assistive Technology Program
• AT3 Center: state assistive technology programs
• Product specifications: Faith Mobility product pages for the Harmar AL500HD, Bruno ASL-275L, Harmar AL435T and ComfyGO GO Lift