Michigan suspends your license when you accumulate 12 points within a two-year period
In Michigan, the Secretary of State tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. Each traffic violation carries a set number of points. When your total reaches 12 points in any two-year period, your license is automatically suspended for 30 days on your first suspension. The suspension is not optional — it happens without a hearing or warning once you hit that threshold.
The two-year window resets as you go. If you get 8 points in January 2024 and 4 more points in March 2025, you hit 12 points and face suspension. But if those same 4 points came in March 2026 instead, they would not count toward the earlier 8 points because more than two years had passed.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspends automatically when you reach 12 points within any two-year period; the first suspension lasts 30 days.
- Common violations carry 3 to 6 points each, so a few serious violations or several minor ones can add up quickly.
- Points stay on your record for two years from the violation date, but the two-year window is separate for each violation.
- You can request a hearing before the Secretary of State to contest points, but you must do so within a specific timeframe after conviction.
- Completing a defensive driving course may reduce points on your record, though the reduction depends on the violation type and your driving history.
How many points each violation costs
Michigan assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A speeding ticket 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit costs 1 point, while speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the limit costs 6 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Improper lane change is 2 points. Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign is 3 points.
Some violations carry no points at all — equipment violations like a broken taillight or expired registration do not add to your total, though you still pay a fine. Other violations, like driving with a suspended license or a second drunk driving offense within seven years, carry the maximum 6 points.
You can find the complete point schedule on the Michigan Secretary of State website under "Traffic Violation Point System." The points are set by state law and do not change based on where you were ticketed or which officer stopped you.
What happens after your first suspension
After your first 30-day suspension ends, your license is restored automatically — you do not need to reapply or pay a reinstatement fee. However, if you accumulate 12 more points within two years of your first suspension, you face a second suspension lasting 60 days. A third suspension within that same period lasts 90 days.
Each suspension period is measured from when it begins, not from when the original violation occurred. So if your first suspension starts on March 1, your second suspension (if it happens) could start anytime within two years of March 1, and the 60-day clock runs from that second date.
During any suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is itself a violation that adds 6 points to your record and can result in criminal charges.
How to request a hearing about your points
You have the right to request a hearing before the Secretary of State to contest the points on your record. You must request this hearing within 14 days of receiving your conviction notice from the court — not 14 days from the traffic stop, but from the date the court formally convicted you of the violation.
To request a hearing, contact the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division by mail or phone. You will need your driver's license number and the date of the violation. At the hearing, you can present evidence that the violation did not occur or that the points were assessed incorrectly. The hearing officer will decide whether to uphold, reduce, or remove the points.
A hearing does not stop your suspension if you have already reached 12 points. It only affects whether those points stay on your record going forward. If the hearing officer removes the points and your total drops below 12, your suspension may be lifted early, but you should confirm this with the Secretary of State after the hearing concludes.
Reducing points through a defensive driving course
Michigan allows you to reduce points on your record by completing a defensive driving course approved by the Secretary of State. The reduction is not automatic — you must request it after you finish the course. The amount you can reduce depends on the violation. Most violations allow a reduction of up to 4 points, though some violations cannot be reduced at all.
You can take a defensive driving course only once every 12 months, and only if you have not taken one in the past 12 months. The course must be completed before you request the reduction. Courses are offered online and in person by various providers, and you pay the course fee directly to the provider — there is no state fee.
Taking a course does not erase points; it only reduces them. If you have 12 points and complete a course that reduces 4 points, you would have 8 points remaining. The reduction helps prevent future suspensions but does not undo a suspension that has already happened.
When your points expire from your record
Points remain on your driving record for exactly two years from the date of the violation, not from the date of conviction or the date you paid the fine. After two years passes, those points are removed automatically. You do not need to request removal or submit paperwork.
The two-year period is separate for each violation. If you received three tickets on the same day, all three violations expire two years later on the same day. If you received one ticket on January 15, 2024, and another on March 20, 2024, the first expires on January 15, 2026, and the second expires on March 20, 2026.
Once points expire, they no longer count toward the 12-point suspension threshold. However, they may still appear on your driving record as historical information. Insurance companies can see expired points, which may affect your rates even though they do not trigger a license suspension.
How to check your current point total
You can view your driving record and current point total through the Michigan Secretary of State website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online record shows every violation on your record, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and the date it will expire.
You can also request a certified copy of your driving record by mail or in person at a Secretary of State office. The certified version is useful if you need to show your record to an insurance company or employer. There is a small fee for a certified copy, but the online version is free.
Check your record regularly, especially after receiving a ticket. If you see a violation you believe is incorrect or if points were assessed wrong, contact the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division to request a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive during my 30-day suspension?
No. Driving during any suspension is illegal in Michigan, even for essential trips like work or medical appointments. Driving on a suspended license adds 6 points to your record and can result in criminal charges. If you need to drive during your suspension, you must first have your suspension lifted by the Secretary of State.
Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward my Michigan suspension?
Yes. Michigan counts violations from other states under a reciprocal agreement. If you receive a ticket in Ohio or Indiana, those points are reported to Michigan and added to your record. The same two-year expiration applies.
What if I pay a ticket but disagree with the points?
Paying the ticket is not the same as accepting the points. You can still request a hearing within 14 days of your conviction to contest the points, even after you have paid the fine. The hearing focuses on whether the violation occurred and whether the points were correct, not on the fine amount.
Does my suspension affect my vehicle registration?
Your driver's license suspension and your vehicle registration are separate. Your registration remains valid during your suspension. However, you cannot legally drive the vehicle. If you are caught driving during your suspension, you face additional penalties beyond the suspension itself.
How long does it take to get my license back after a suspension ends?
Your license is restored automatically when your suspension period ends. You do not need to visit a Secretary of State office or submit any paperwork. You can drive as soon as the suspension period is over, though you should verify the end date with the Secretary of State if you are unsure.