Is It Legal or Illegal to Sleep in Your Car In Michigan?

I'll bet you and I and thousands of Michiganders have fallen asleep in our cars. Not while driving hopefully, but let's say we've been on a long trip, or we partied too much and know it's not safe to drive. Whatever the case, we pull off somewhere and crash. The question is, is it legal to do that in Michigan?

Here is Michigan it's okay, it is legal to sleep in your car!

Whew, that takes the stress off. Be mindful if you're in Colorado, Maryland, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia, watch out because you could get a ticket or arrested because it's against the law there. Remind me to never get tired in those states.

So, good, I can sleep in my car in Michigan. However, there are some things you need to be mindful of so you don't run afoul of the law.

For instance, it is illegal to park your car in designated “no parking” zones or on private property without the owner’s consent. Additionally, sleeping in your car can be considered a violation of local ordinances if it’s done in public spaces, such as parks or sidewalks. It’s also important to ensure that your car is parked in a safe location and that you’re not putting yourself in harm’s way.

Think of it this way, yes it's legal in Michigan, but be smart about it. Usually campsites, Walmart or maybe Meijer parking lots, and highway rest stops are okay to catch some shut-eye.

However, "sleeping it off" is another story.

If you're way over the limit, so to speak and you know that driving isn't safe and decide to let's say sleep in the bar/club's parking lot, or you just pull off on the side of the road, do not sleep in the drivers seat with the keys! If you're caught you'll get a DUI, especially if the motor is running. It's best to hop, or try to anyway, in the back seat, and do not have the keys close to you.

When in doubt, and you really need some sleep under normal circumstances, reach out to the local police department. They're there to help and will update you on the local ordinances.