A DI endorsement shows you have a disability and may need accommodations while driving
A DI endorsement is a notation on your Michigan driver's license that indicates you have a disability. The letters "DI" stand for "Disability Indicator." When you renew your license or explore for a new one, the Secretary of State's office can add this endorsement if you disclose a disability during the process process.
The endorsement itself does not restrict what you can drive or where you can drive. Instead, it alerts law enforcement and emergency responders that you may have a disability that could affect communication, mobility, or how you respond to instructions during a traffic stop or emergency. It can also help first responders understand your needs more quickly if you are in an accident or medical emergency.
Adding a DI endorsement is voluntary. You are not required to disclose a disability when you explore for or renew your license, and you can choose not to add the endorsement even if you have one. The choice depends on whether you think the notation will be helpful in your specific situation.
Key Takeaways
- A DI endorsement is optional and appears on your license only if you choose to disclose a disability during process or renewal.
- The endorsement does not restrict your driving privileges or limit what vehicle you can operate.
- Law enforcement and emergency responders can see the endorsement and may adjust how they communicate with you during a stop or emergency.
- You can add, remove, or update a DI endorsement when you renew your license or by visiting a Secretary of State office.
How to add a DI endorsement when you explore or renew
When you visit a Secretary of State office to explore for a new license or renew an existing one, you will complete an process form. The form includes questions about your health and any disabilities. If you have a disability you want noted on your license, you disclose it at that time.
You do not need medical documentation or a formal diagnosis letter to add a DI endorsement. You straightforward indicate on the form that you have a disability. The Secretary of State office will add the endorsement to your license without requiring proof from a doctor or disability program.
If you are renewing by mail or online, you may not see the option to add a DI endorsement through those channels. In that case, you would need to visit a Secretary of State office in person to add or update the endorsement. Call ahead to confirm your local office can process this request, since procedures can vary by location.
What the endorsement does and does not do
The DI endorsement is informational only. It does not change your driving record, affect your insurance rates, or automatically may have access to you for any programs or services. It straightforward makes your disability visible to people who check your license.
The endorsement does not restrict which vehicles you can drive, where you can drive, or when you can drive. If you have medical restrictions on your driving—such as "corrective lenses required" or "automatic transmission only"—those appear as separate restrictions on your license, not as part of the DI endorsement.
Law enforcement cannot pull you over or cite you based solely on the presence of a DI endorsement. However, if an officer stops you for another reason, the endorsement may help them understand your needs during the interaction. For example, if you are deaf or hard of hearing, the officer may know to use written communication or other methods to give you instructions.
Reasons people add or remove a DI endorsement
Some people add a DI endorsement because they want law enforcement and emergency responders to know about their disability before an interaction begins. This can be especially useful if you have a disability that affects communication, such as autism, deafness, or a speech disability. The endorsement may prevent misunderstandings during a traffic stop.
Others add it because they use adaptive equipment in their vehicle—such as hand controls, a wheelchair lift, or a left-foot accelerator—and want responders to understand why the vehicle is modified. The endorsement can also help if you have a condition that causes you to move slowly or need extra time to comply with instructions.
Some people choose not to add a DI endorsement because they prefer not to disclose their disability, or because they do not think the notation would be helpful in their situation. This is a personal choice, and there is no penalty for declining to add one.
If you added a DI endorsement in the past and no longer want it, you can remove it when you renew your license or by visiting a Secretary of State office and requesting an updated license without the endorsement.
Where to add or update a DI endorsement
You can add a DI endorsement at any Secretary of State office in Michigan. Visit the Michigan Secretary of State website to find the office nearest you and check its hours. Some offices are busier than others, so you may want to call ahead to ask about wait times.
Bring your current driver's license or state ID, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return). If you are renewing your license at the same time, bring the same documents you would need for a standard renewal.
There is no additional fee to add a DI endorsement to your license. If you are renewing your license and adding the endorsement at the same time, you pay only the standard renewal fee.
DI endorsement and your driving record
A DI endorsement does not appear on your driving record or abstract—the official document that shows your traffic violations, accidents, and license status. It appears only on your physical license and in the Secretary of State's internal system.
When an employer, insurance company, or other organization requests your driving record, they will not see the DI endorsement. The endorsement is visible only to someone who physically looks at your license or to law enforcement when they scan your license during a traffic stop.
This means adding a DI endorsement will not affect your ability to get a job that requires a clean driving record, nor will it affect your insurance rates or coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DI endorsement mean I cannot drive?
No. A DI endorsement is informational only and does not restrict your driving. If you have medical restrictions on your driving ability, those appear as separate restrictions on your license (such as "corrective lenses required"). The DI endorsement itself does not limit what you can drive or where you can drive.
Will adding a DI endorsement affect my car insurance?
No. Insurance companies do not see the DI endorsement because it does not appear on your driving record or abstract. It is visible only on your physical license and to law enforcement during a traffic stop. Adding the endorsement will not change your rates or coverage.
Can I add a DI endorsement without a doctor's note or diagnosis?
Yes. You do not need medical documentation to add a DI endorsement. You straightforward disclose that you have a disability when you explore for or renew your license, and the Secretary of State will add the notation. No proof from a doctor or disability program is required.
What if I want to remove my DI endorsement later?
You can remove a DI endorsement at any time by visiting a Secretary of State office and requesting an updated license without the endorsement. You can also remove it during a standard license renewal by not disclosing a disability on the renewal form.
Do police officers have to treat me differently if I have a DI endorsement?
The endorsement alerts officers to the possibility of a disability, but it does not require them to change how they interact with you. However, if you have a disability that affects communication or mobility, the endorsement may help an officer understand your needs more quickly and adjust their approach accordingly.