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michigancamper1's avatar
May 02, 2013

Double Towing OUTSIDE of Michigan...

I'm from Michigan and am licensed to 'double tow'. I travel to other states that don't allow their residents to double tow and wonder if I 'am legal' in those states.
I'm told there are 47 states that have 'reciprocal agreements' with Michigan and if I am 'properly licensed' in Michigan, my license is good in those states too... and I've also heard the opposite is true.

Has anyone delved into the law and knows for sure ?
michigancamper

24 Replies

  • Wadcutter wrote:
    You follow the laws in the state you are driving in at the time.
    People do not understand what reciprocity means including those who put together all those websites. Reciprocity has nothing to do with double towing. What's the speed limit in MI? If MI allows 70 MPH does that mean you can drive 70 mph in every state? No, you obey the laws in the state you are driving. Or think of it this way. What if MI had a speed limit of only 60 MPH. Would that mean that when you drove in a state that had a max speed limit of 75 that you could only drive 60 MPH because that's the speed limit in your home state?
    Or another way to look at state laws. Look at motorcycle helmet laws. In IL we are not required to wear a helmet. No helmet laws on the books. MO requires every rider to wear a helmet. When I ride to MO can I ride without a helmet because of reciprocity? No, I have to obey MO's laws and wear a helmet.
    One state doesn't care what another state's law says. You obey the law in the state in which you are driving. I spent a total of 42 years in law enforcement. You can't believe he number of times I stopped someone for violating our state law and their excuse was they could do such and such in their home state therefore they thought they were legal. Even heard a few tell a judge the same story. Judges weren't amused.

    What IS reciprocity? I'm thinking it means your drivers license from another state is valid in other states that have reciprocity.
    Not trying to start a fight, just trying to make since of the whole thing.
  • Is a drivers license good only in the state it's issued in?
    I think not.
    My Michigan license allows me to Ride a motorcycle. Does another state have a right to say, "your motorcycle endorsement isn't any good here".
    How far would that go?
  • You follow the laws in the state you are driving in at the time.
    People do not understand what reciprocity means including those who put together all those websites. Reciprocity has nothing to do with double towing. What's the speed limit in MI? If MI allows 70 MPH does that mean you can drive 70 mph in every state? No, you obey the laws in the state you are driving. Or think of it this way. What if MI had a speed limit of only 60 MPH. Would that mean that when you drove in a state that had a max speed limit of 75 that you could only drive 60 MPH because that's the speed limit in your home state?
    Or another way to look at state laws. Look at motorcycle helmet laws. In IL we are not required to wear a helmet. No helmet laws on the books. MO requires every rider to wear a helmet. When I ride to MO can I ride without a helmet because of reciprocity? No, I have to obey MO's laws and wear a helmet.
    One state doesn't care what another state's law says. You obey the law in the state in which you are driving. I spent a total of 42 years in law enforcement. You can't believe he number of times I stopped someone for violating our state law and their excuse was they could do such and such in their home state therefore they thought they were legal. Even heard a few tell a judge the same story. Judges weren't amused.
  • I, too, am curious about this. You might just have to seek the advice of a licensed attorney. Getting legal advice off the internet is risky at best, you know.

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