Suspended license in Michigan: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Michigan, the first points threshold is 9 points: The Secretary of State may call the driver in for an interview on driving ability and record; failure to appear adds 3 points. A Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) removes or prevents points, A driver may only avoid points once under this program; eligibility is determined by the Department for each ticket and a driver who previously completed a BDIC. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $125.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State) states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
The Michigan Department of State records points for each conviction, civil infraction determination or probate court disposition under the formula in MCL 257.320a (from 1 point for speeding 1 to 5 mph over the limit to 6 points for manslaughter, OWI, fleeing an officer or leaving an accident scene). Accumulation of 12 or more points in a two-year period is a reason for referral to a driver assessment reexamination, at which the Department may restrict, suspend or revoke driving privileges; at 9 points the Secretary of State may call the driver in for an interview.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 points | — | The Secretary of State may call the driver in for an interview on driving ability and record; failure to appear adds 3 points | legislature.mi.gov |
| 12 points | 2 years | Referral to a driver assessment reexamination (conducted administratively by record review); the Department may restrict, suspend or revoke the license and sets the period of any suspension | michigan.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Most points remain on the driving record for two years from the conviction date, and the 12-point reexamination threshold counts points within a two-year period. The Department states that it must maintain driving records for 10 years, with certain offenses remaining longer or permanently.
“If an individual has accumulated 9 points as provided in this section, the secretary of state may call the individual in for an interview as to the individual's driving ability and record after due notice as to time and place of the interview. If the individual fails to appear as provided in this”
“Points placed on your driver record during probation or post probation are not automatically erased when probation ends. Most points remain on your driving record for two years from the conviction date.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| A violation of any law or ordinance pertaining to speed by exceeding the lawful maximum by more than 5 miles per hour but not more than 10 miles per hour | 2 |
| A violation of any law or ordinance pertaining to speed by exceeding the lawful maximum by more than 15 miles per hour | 4 |
| Careless driving in violation of section 626b | 3 |
| Disobeying a traffic signal or stop sign, or improper passing | 3 |
| Failing to stop and disclose identity at the scene of an accident when required by law | 6 |
| Fleeing or eluding an officer | 6 |
Check points or the driving record: michigan.gov
The statute: MCL 257.320(1)(d)
“The person has charged against him or her a total of 12 or more points as provided in section 320a within a period of 2 years, or a total of 6 or more points as provided in section 320a(q) within a period of 2 years.”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) |
|---|---|
| Effect | Removes or prevents points |
| How often | A driver may only avoid points once under this program; eligibility is determined by the Department for each ticket and a driver who previously completed a BDIC |
Under MCL 257.320d, when the Department determines a driver is eligible after receiving a moving-violation abstract, it mails a letter giving 60 days to enroll in and complete a BDIC through an approved sponsor; on successful completion the points are not entered on the record and the ticket is not reported to insurers, although the ticket itself is still placed on the record. Eligibility requires a valid non-commercial Michigan license, two or fewer points on the record when the ticket was issued, a non-criminal Michigan ticket carrying three or fewer points that is not careless or negligent driving, and no prior BDIC. The course is at least 4 hours with a written exam, and sponsors may charge no more than $100. Missing the 60-day deadline means the points and violation are added and reported to insurers; no extensions are allowed.
“If you successfully complete and pass BDIC, the department will add the ticket to your driving record but won’t post the points. Neither will be reported to your insurance agency.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Too many points (driver assessment reexamination) | Accumulation of 12 or more points in a two-year period (MCL 257.320(1)(d)) is a reason for referral to a driver assessment reexamination, conducted administratively through a review of the Michigan driving record. The outcome, stated in an Order of Action, may be restrictions, a suspension for a determined period ranging from days to months, or a revocation requiring a one-to-five-year wait to reapply; the decision may be appealed to the Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight within 14 days or to circuit court within 63 days. | Comply with the Order of Action (serve the suspension or restriction period) and pay the $125 reinstatement fee under MCL 257.320e before the license is returned. | $125 |
| Failure to answer a citation or notice to appear in court (MCL 257.321a) | Twenty-eight days or more after a person fails to answer a citation or a notice to appear for a violation for which license suspension is allowed, the court mails a notice; if the person still does not appear, the court notifies the Secretary of State and the license is suspended. The suspension remains until every court involved notifies the Secretary of State that the citation has been answered and the person has paid the court a $45 driver license clearance fee for each failure. | Answer the citation or appear in each court, and pay the court a $45 driver license clearance fee for each failure; the court gives the driver a copy of the information sent to the Secretary of State. | $45 driver license clearance fee per failure (paid to the co |
| Failure to comply with a court order or judgment, including paying fines, costs, fees and assessments (MCL 257.321a) | A person who fails to comply with a court order or judgment for a violation for which suspension is allowed, including paying all fines, costs, fees and assessments, receives a mailed notice from the court after 28 days and is suspended if the failure continues; the suspension lasts until the court reports payment and the $45 clearance fee is paid. | Pay the fines and costs to the court, pay the $45 driver license clearance fee for each failure, and wait for the court to notify the Secretary of State. | $45 driver license clearance fee per failure (paid to the co |
| Suspension of driver license for child support arrearage (MCL 552.628) | In a friend of the court case, a driver license may be suspended when the arrearage exceeds two months of periodic support, income withholding is not applicable or has failed, the court has found after an ability-to-pay assessment that the payer is willfully not paying, and the friend of the court determines no other sanction would work. A notice gives 21 days to pay the arrearage or request a hearing before the suspension order is sent to the licensing agency. | Pay the arrearage or request a hearing within 21 days of the notice; the suspension order is sent to the Secretary of State only if the payer does not respond. | — |
| Medical concerns (physical, mental and vision standards) | Concerns about meeting the State's Physical, Mental and Vision Standards and the ability to operate a motor vehicle safely (MCL 257.320(1)(a)) lead to an in-person driver assessment reexamination; a Physician's Statement of Examination (DA-4P) or Vision Specialist's Statement (DA-4V) may be required, and vision screening, a knowledge test and an on-road test may be administered. An indefinite suspension may be imposed pending evidence of meeting the standards. | Appear for the in-person reexamination with any required medical or vision statement; pass any required testing; comply with the Order of Action. | — |
| Failure to appear for a scheduled reexamination | Under MCL 257.320(6), a driver who fails to appear for a reexamination scheduled by the Secretary of State may be suspended immediately, and the suspension remains until the driver appears; the Secretary of State may also act on the driving record alone. The Department's referral reasons also include multiple negligent crashes in a two-year period and involvement in a fatal crash. | Appear for the reexamination; a reinstatement fee of $125 applies to licenses suspended under section 320 (MCL 257.320e). | $125 |
Source quotes for each cause
Too many points (driver assessment reexamination)
“Too many points Accumulation of 12 or more points in a two-year period. MCL 257.320(1)(d)”
Failure to answer a citation or notice to appear in court (MCL 257.321a)
“(3) A suspension imposed under subsection (1) or (2) remains in effect until both of the following occur: (a) The secretary of state is notified by each court in which the individual failed to answer a citation or notice to appear or failed to pay a fine or cost that the individual has answered”
Failure to comply with a court order or judgment, including paying fines, costs, fees and assessments (MCL 257.321a)
“or fails to comply with an order or judgment of the court for a violation for which license suspension is allowed under this act, including, but not limited to, paying all fines, costs, fees, and assessments, the court shall give notice by mail”
Suspension of driver license for child support arrearage (MCL 552.628)
“That a suspension order or notice will be sent to the licensing agency unless the payer responds by paying the arrearage or requesting a hearing within 21 days after the date of mailing the notice.”
Medical concerns (physical, mental and vision standards)
“An Indefinite period of suspension may be imposed pending receipt of evidence of meeting the State’s standards and demonstrating the ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.”
Failure to appear for a scheduled reexamination
“If a licensed operator or chauffeur fails to appear for a reexamination scheduled by the secretary of state pursuant to this section, the licensed operator's or chauffeur's license may be suspended immediately and shall remain suspended until the licensed operator or chauffeur appears for a”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $125. MCL 257.320e requires a $125 license reinstatement fee for a license suspended, revoked or restricted under sections 303, 319, 320 (driver assessment), 324, 625, 625b, 625f or 904, and an $85 fee for a suspension under section 321c. A failure-to-appear or failure-to-comply suspension under section 321a is cleared by paying the court a $45 driver license clearance fee per failure rather than a Secretary of State reinstatement fee. The fee can be paid online for eligible transactions, by mail or fax with the reinstatement application, or at an office; it is not available at self-service stations.
“an individual whose operator's or chauffeur's license is suspended, revoked, or restricted under section 303, 319, 320, 324, 625, 625b, 625f, or 904 shall pay a license reinstatement fee of $125.00 to the secretary of state before a license is issued or returned to the individual.”
Resolve every sanction or hold on the driving record
The Department states that reinstatement depends on whether other licensing violations, sanctions or holds remain on the record; violations, fines and reinstatement fees not covered by the Clean Slate to Drive laws must be resolved first.
“The reinstatement of your license depends on whether there are any other licensing violations, sanctions, or holds on your driving record that otherwise prohibit the restoration of your license.”
Clear court matters (failure to appear or pay)
For a section 321a suspension, answer the citation or pay the fine in each court and pay the $45 clearance fee; the court transmits the clearance to the Secretary of State and gives the driver a copy.
“For the purposes of subsection (3)(a), the court shall give to the individual a copy of the information being transmitted to the secretary of state.”
Pay the reinstatement fee online, by mail or fax, or at an office
Online payment is available for some reinstatement transactions through Online Services (More Driver Services, then Pay Reinstatement Fee) by card or e-check; by mail or fax with the printed driver's license reinstatement application; or at an office with the license or ID and payment by cash, check, money order or card.
“If your reinstatement fee is eligible to be paid online, you will need to: Go to Online Services. In the “Driver’s License and ID” section, select “More Driver Services.” Follow the prompts to create or login to your account. In the “Operator License” section, select “More” then select “Pay”
Check the driving record
A certified copy of the Michigan driving record can be purchased online through MiLogin ($16, visible for 7 days), by mail ($15 copy or $16 certified) or at an office ($16).
“To purchase a certified copy of your record online: Create an account through MiLogin and authenticate your information on our website. Your record will only be visible for 7 days.”
Official page: michigan.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Michigan.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · License restrictions (terms and conditions) ordered at a driver assessment reexamination. The Department states that at a driver assessment reexamination, including one for 12 or more points in two years, the analyst's Order of Action may impose license restrictions that allow driving under terms and conditions noted on a restricted license and the driving record, instead of or in addition to a suspension. MCL 257.320(2) allows the Secretary of State to restrict, suspend, revoke or impose other terms and conditions and to prescribe the period. Restrictions ordered at the reexamination may be appealed to the Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight within 14 days or to circuit court within 63 days.
“Restrictions (Terms and conditions) License restrictions allow you to drive under certain terms and conditions that will be noted on your restricted license and Michigan Driving Record.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Michigan.
Questions about a suspended license in Michigan
- How many points trigger action against a Michigan license?
- Under MCL 257.320a the Secretary of State may call a driver in for an interview at 9 points, and under MCL 257.320(1)(d) a driver with 12 or more points within two years is referred to a driver assessment reexamination. The Department of State says that reexamination is conducted by reviewing the driving record and can result in restrictions, a suspension or a revocation.
- How long do points stay on a Michigan driving record?
- The Department of State's New Drivers FAQ states that most points remain on the driving record for two years from the conviction date. The Department maintains driving records for 10 years, and certain offenses remain longer or permanently.
- Can a course keep points off a Michigan driving record?
- Yes. Under MCL 257.320d an eligible driver who completes a Basic Driver Improvement Course through an approved sponsor within 60 days of the Department's eligibility letter has no points entered and the ticket is not reported to insurers. Eligibility requires two or fewer points, a non-criminal Michigan ticket of three or fewer points, and no prior BDIC; sponsors may charge up to $100.
- What does a Michigan license reinstatement cost after a suspension?
- MCL 257.320e sets a $125 reinstatement fee for licenses suspended, revoked or restricted under sections 303, 319, 320, 324, 625, 625b, 625f or 904, and $85 for a section 321c suspension. A failure-to-appear or failure-to-pay suspension under MCL 257.321a ends when each court reports compliance and a $45 driver license clearance fee is paid to the court.
- Can unpaid child support suspend a Michigan driver license?
- Yes. Under MCL 552.628, in a friend of the court case a driver license may be suspended when the arrearage exceeds two months of support, income withholding has not worked, the court finds the payer able but willfully not paying, and no other sanction would be effective. A notice gives 21 days to pay the arrearage or request a hearing.
Sources
- Michigan Department of State: Driver assessment (reexamination reasons, formats, outcomes, appeals)
- Michigan Department of State: Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) eligibility
- Michigan Department of State: Basic Driver Improvement Course FAQ
- Michigan Department of State: License reinstatement fee (how to pay)
- Michigan Department of State: Driving record (purchase options, fees, retention)
- Michigan Department of State: New Drivers FAQ (points remain two years from conviction)
- MCL 257.320a Recording of convictions and number of points (Michigan Legislature)
- MCL 257.320 Investigation or reexamination; restriction, suspension, revocation (Michigan Legislature)
- MCL 257.320d Basic driver improvement course (Michigan Legislature)
- MCL 257.320e License reinstatement fee (Michigan Legislature)
- MCL 257.321a Failure to answer citation or comply with judgment; driver license clearance fee (Michigan Legislature)
- MCL 552.628 Suspension of driver license for support arrearage (Michigan Legislature)
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Michigan license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/michigan/suspended-license/