Regulatory Reminders for the New Year

Posted on by Summer

Following is a brief overview of Michigan-specific business operations for the upcoming year. Please click the links provided for further information.

 

Sales Tax on the Difference.  Owners trading in a motor vehicle now receive a sales tax credit for the vehicle’s trade-in value up to a maximum of $12,000. [FAQ]

Sales Tax and Out-of-State Buyers.  2026 guidance on Michigan sales tax due when a non-Michigan resident takes delivery in Michigan but will register in another state. [link]

EV Registration Fees. The Michigan Motor Fuel Tax Act increases the fuel tax, requiring an increase in the registration gas tax fees for PHEV and EVs. [MDOS bulletin]  Vehicles 8,000 lbs or less:

  • Hybrid / PHEV surcharge: $113 in addition to vehicle registration fee ($53 increase)
  • EV surcharge: $267 in addition to vehicle registration fee ($107 increase)
  • Reminder – for alternative fueled vehicles, indicate fuel type on RD-108

MDOS Compliance Checklists

Dealer Plates | Tabs. Previous-year tabs for dealer plates remain active through the last day of February (Feb. 28, 2026). MDOS continues to mail new tabs.

Recreation Passport. The passenger vehicle fee is now $15 for 1-year and $29 for 2-years. [link]

Doc Fee ~ no change. DIFS last reviewed this fee in 2025. The max. allowable of $280 will remain in place for 2026. DIFS will next review in 2027. [link]

State of Michigan Holidays. Please reference this link for a list of days that SOS branch offices will be closed in 2026.

Minimum Wage. The minimum wage in Michigan is now $13.73 per hour. [link]

Fuel Tax Changes. A 52.4 cents per gallon motor fuel tax rate is in effect, as part of transportation funding reform. [link]

Penny Phase Out. Michigan sales and use tax notice regarding rounding up or down to the nearest $0.05. [link]

 

Check the Date on Your Dealer Wall License

Posted on by Summer

If the dealer license on your wall still shows a December 2025 expiration date, we strongly encourage you to use the state’s online license lookup tool to check your license expiration, or log into your CARS portal to confirm the license status.

 

License look up: CHECK HERE

Navigate to: Business Services >> Dealer Services >> Search Dealer

 

I already submitted my renewal. Why has the expiration not updated?

If the state notes missing or incorrect information, a “hold” is placed on the renewal and a letter is mailed and emailed to the dealership. The license will not be renewed until corrections are made. Common reasons for this include:

  • Lost, stolen, or missing plates must include a police report.
  • The ACORD certificate of Liability Insurance is not completed properly.
  • A license change submitted alongside the renewal may also delay processing.

The state will generally allow a grace period to correct errors and finalize the renewal — if the renewal was submitted before the deadline. If your renewal is still pending and you are unsure why, please reach out to Lexi Hall at Lhall@michiganada.org. (Include your dealership name and license #.)

A Little Holiday Fun: Healthy Cookie Recipes

Posted on by Summer
Cookies are often thought of as indulgent treats, loaded with sugar, butter and refined flour. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a traditional cookie from time to time, many bakers look for ways to give this classic dessert a healthy twist. With just a few ingredient swaps, cookies can get a nutrition boost with fiber, protein and even healthy fats – all while satisfying a sweet tooth.
This article is from A Healthier Michigan, brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Ingredient Swaps

Refined white flour can be swapped more fiber-rich ones like oat, almond or whole wheat flour. Utilizing nut butters seeds in place for some butter incorporate heart-healthy fats. Even ingredients like dark chocolate can add more antioxidants and fiber to the mix.

Allergies and Dietary Considerations

Food allergies and intolerances are top of mind for many families. Common allergens like wheat, dairy, eggs, soy and nuts are frequently found in traditional cookie recipes, but the good news is that there are many substitutions available. Almond or coconut flour can replace wheat flour for gluten-free baking, while flax “eggs” or applesauce can replace traditional eggs in vegan-friendly recipes. For those avoiding dairy, coconut oil or plant-based butters work in many recipes. Nut-free options like sunflower seed butter make it easier for those with peanut or tree nut allergies to still enjoy a chewy, wholesome cookie.

Dark Chocolate Chip Chickpea Batter Cookies

Chickpeas are more than a salad topper and hummus ingredient. In this recipe, a can of chickpeas serves as the star of the show in chocolate chip cookie batter. Paired with cashew butter, this batter cuts down on the loads of saturated fat found in most cookie recipes, while packing in fiber and protein to keep you satisfied for longer. The dark chocolate and cherries add even more fiber and an antioxidant punch.

Chocolate-drizzled Coconut Date Cookies

These three-ingredient cookies’ natural sweetness comes from fiber-rich dates. Dates are placed in a blender with coconut flakes to create the base, which is then formed into cookies, frozen, dipped and drizzled with melted dark chocolate. These are a more wholesome, nutrient-dense alternative to the door-to-door sold cookies.

Shortbread Cookies Free of Milk, Egg, Tree Nut, Peanuts, Wheat, Soy and Sesame

Shortbread cookies are a favorite for many because of their crisp nature. Using almond flour in the recipe adds a unique nuttiness. Simply dip the cookies in melted allergen-free chocolate morsels and top with crushed candy canes.

4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie

Peanut butter is a pantry staple for many families. While this nut spread may be best known for the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it is also an excellent baking ingredient thanks to its healthy fats. Here’s a heart-healthy version that makes a delicious holiday cookie: peanut butter oat bran cookies sweetened with maple syrup instead of processed sugar.

Cardamom Chocolate Chip Cookies Free of Milk, Eggs, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soy and Sesame

The chocolate chip cookie is a classic for a reason. In this recipe, cardamom sweet, peppery and aromatic flavor is added to bring a unique flavor. The cookies are topped with sea salt to create a balance in flavor.

MAVTI Alert: Wheel and Tire Thefts

Posted on by Summer

The Michigan Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators (MAVTI) has shared the following information regarding an emerging crime trend occurring at Michigan automobile dealerships.

 

Crime Details:

Investigators are seeing an uptick in wheel and tire thefts from new and late model vehicles across the state, including thefts from automobile dealership lots. Ford Bronco and Explorer wheel and tire thefts are an emerging trend. Several GM models were also targeted in a storage lot in southeast Michigan. Thieves recently targeted a dealership in Dundee, MI where they broke windows on Ford vehicles to retrieve the wheel lock tool inside the vehicles. Metro and rural areas of Michigan are affected.

 

Prevention Methods:

Prevention methods for car dealerships should include wheel and tire locks, physical security, high-visibility security cameras, park high target vehicles with front wheels turned at a 45-degree angle and park high target vehicles next to any available curbs.

 

Information provided by MAVTI is derived from intelligence sharing meetings conducted between law enforcement, insurance fraud investigators, and state regulatory investigators.

Your Insight is Requested: Michigan’s Automotive Workforce Future

Posted on by Summer

The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is conducting a statewide assessment of workforce needs in Michigan’s automotive industry on behalf of Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Michigan Automotive Workforce Hub. Your insights are essential.

The goal of this assessment is to gain awareness about the changing workforce needs of automotive industry employers in Michigan, particularly in the context of auto industry shifts, including changing vehicle technology, new propulsion systems, and policy.

As dealership owners and managers, you’re experiencing firsthand how the EV transition is changing workforce needs. Your sales teams need new skills for EV education, service technicians require electric vehicle training, and hiring demands are evolving rapidly.

To assist in identifying workforce challenges and opportunities over the next 3-5 years, dealership owners and managers are being asked to participate in a confidential interview and a brief survey (now open through November 7). Please read more about the survey here or contact Lisa Krusemark at ekrusemark@cargroup.org

Results from the assessment will be used to inform state policy makers and workforce development agencies in an effort to develop resources for Michigan automotive businesses.

Understanding OCD Beyond the Stereotypes

Posted on by Summer
If you think of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you may think of a person who needs everything to be tidy or who washes their hands until they are raw.
OCD, however, is much broader than these stereotypes. Let’s take a look at what OCD is, how it affects people and treatments.
This article is from MIBlue Daily, brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

What is OCD?

This mental health disorder is characterized by having recurring, uncontrollable intrusive thoughts that feel real and cause distress, and then following a compulsive behavior or thought to temporarily relieve the distress or prevent the intrusive thought from happening. A person must deal with these thoughts and compulsions for at least an hour a day.
Up to 2% of Americans have OCD, which is more common in girls and women and typically develops in adolescence or early adulthood. Children and young adults may not realize their thought patterns are out of the ordinary, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
It can take up to a decade for someone to get a diagnosis after OCD develops, according to Harvard Health.

Intrusive thoughts and compulsions

Intrusive thoughts can take many different forms. These thoughts create self-doubt and are often ego-dystonic, meaning they do not align with an individual’s values or actions.
Here are common obsessions:
  • Fear of accidents or being a victim of violence
  • Fear of committing acts of violence against others
  • Fear of contamination
  • Having taboo thoughts about sex or religion
  • Excessive worry about morality
Common compulsions include:
  • Constant self-reassurance
  • Avoidance
  • Mental problem solving to prepare for possible emergencies
  • Repeating a prayer or counting
  • Repeated washing or bathing
  • Repeated checking of locks or stoves

Misconceptions about OCD

OCD is not merely perfectionism or a preference for neatness and order. A person with OCD can feel if they make a mistake or have a messy home, then something bad will happen to them or a loved one.
Most people have uncomfortable intrusive thoughts such as “what if I drive off the road?” but can let them go. People with OCD, however, believe the intrusive thoughts are real and that a part of them actually wants to drive off the road, which causes distress.
Many people with OCD may not have visible compulsions like handwashing or repeatedly checking to see if the door is locked, but rather compulsions that are entirely internal. Called thought compulsions, they typically fall into one of three categories: problem solving, reassurance and avoidance…
Please keep reading at:

MDOS Offers Free Dealer and Repair Facility Training

Posted on by Summer

Dealer Training | While dealer training is not mandatory for Class A dealers, it is still a valuable – and free – opportunity available through the Michigan Department of State (MDOS).

Dealer training covers the basic requirements of the Michigan Vehicle Code, dealer functions, licensing requirements, and Secretary of State e-Services. All licensed vehicle dealers and staff may attend training virtually through Microsoft Teams at no cost.

Repair Facility & Mechanic Training | MDOS also offers free virtual trainings to repair facility owners, managers, service advisers, and technicians. This course focuses on the basic requirements of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, along with industry best practices.

These training opportunities are ideal for onboarding new team members and serve as an excellent refresher for experienced staff. Registration for training is available through e-Services.

Peak Times for Fall Color Across Michigan

Posted on by Summer
While every season in Michigan has something to appreciate, fall color changes are truly one of the state’s most beautiful attractions.
Spending time in nature in green spaces is associated with cognitive benefits, better mood and improved emotional well-being, so planning a fall color tour this year could be a great way to give your mental health a boost. And when you do start planning, you’ll want to know what kind of color changes you should expect at your destination.  This article is from A Healthier Michigan, brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. 

When do the leaves change in Michigan?

Starting in the western upper peninsula and moving down to the most southern point of the lower peninsula, the bulk of Michigan trees begin to see low color in mid-to-late September, according to Explore Fall, with peak color-changing times coming a few weeks later.
Although the timing of the most vibrant fall colors varies from year to year, this Michigan fall color map graphic gives you a look at the estimated start of color changes throughout the state in 2025, followed by projected moderate, peak and past peak color times:

Upper Peninsula

  • Start of color change: Sept. 15.
  • Moderate color: late September through early October.
  • Peak color: mid-October.
  • Past peak color: late October.

Northern Michigan

  • Start of color change: Sept. 22.
  • Moderate color: early October through mid October.
  • Peak color: mid-to-late October, beginning around Oct. 18.
  • Past peak color: late October, beginning around Oct. 28

Mid/Southern Michigan

  • Start of color change: Sept. 26.
  • Moderate color: mid October.
  • Peak color: late October, beginning around Oct. 22.
  • Past peak color: late October through early November.
*Color change in Great Lakes shoreline areas is typically 1-week behind inland areas.
Color develops as the trees break down the chlorophyll to prepare for winter. Pigments of the red, yellow, orange, and purple colors you see in the fall are always present in the leaves, but are overpowered by the green of the chlorophyll. As the green goes away with the chlorophyll, we’re left with beautifully vibrant landscapes before the leaves drop.
The fall equinox — which marks the end of summer and start of fall in 2025 — takes place at 2:19 p.m. on Sept. 22, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. So, what are you waiting for? This breathtaking Michigan scenery isn’t going to look at itself!

Automotive Leadership Expert Dave Anderson Joins the MADA Annual Meeting!

Posted on by Summer

MADA is excited to announce that Dave Anderson, founder of LearnToLead, will (virtually) join our association for the 2025 MADA Annual Meeting in December. Known as “Mr. Accountability,” Dave is the author of 16 leadership books and has spent decades helping automotive dealerships build high-performance teams.

Learn How to Master the Art of Accountability

Dave’s presentation on December 11 will provide dealership owners and management teams with essential tools to develop stronger accountability within the dealership. His discussion will cover:

  • Keys to developing the right accountability MINDSET – Transform how you think about holding others accountable
  • Keys to developing the right accountability SKILLSET – Learn practical techniques for effective accountability conversations
  • How to make accountability a positive tool in your coaching arsenal – Use this to develop and elevate your team
  • Master the most effective consequence for influencing human behavior – Understand what truly drives behavioral change
  • How to rightly apply consequences – Implement fair and effective consequence strategies

Dave’s “no nonsense” approach delivers actionable strategies that dealership leaders can implement to drive measurable improvements. Accountability protects your culture, brand, morale, and credibility. In leadership, this is a “must have.” This presentation will equip you with the mindset and tools necessary to hold others accountable effectively, even in today’s challenging environment.

Mark Your Calendar!

MADA Annual Meeting | Thursday, December 11, 2025

Learn more about Dave Anderson and his programs: https://www.andersonvt.com/#about

WEBINAR: Workers’ Comp Compliance with MADSIF

Posted on by Summer

MADSIF (Michigan Auto Dealers Self-Insured Fund) is a specialized workers’ compensation program designed exclusively for Michigan auto dealers, offering many advantages over traditional insurance carriers. It was created by Michigan dealers in the early 1990s and is run for the benefit of its dealer members, not agents or shareholders. This structure ensures that profits benefit the participating dealerships, rather than external shareholders.

Hundreds of MADA dealerships have partnered with MADSIF for its robust suite of services that support dealers with claims, MIOSHA compliance and inspections, and proactive loss control. Services are provided through a solid network of experts that have worked with Michigan auto dealers for more than 30 years.

This webinar is a great opportunity to learn more about MADSIF and how they are supporting Michigan dealers.