What happens when your license is suspended in Ann Arbor
A suspended driver's license in Ann Arbor means the Michigan Secretary of State has temporarily removed your driving privileges. You cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted. The suspension stays on your record until you complete whatever requirement triggered it — paying fines, completing a program, serving a waiting period, or resolving the underlying violation.
Ann Arbor is in Washtenaw County, and suspensions are handled through Michigan's statewide system, not by the city itself. The Secretary of State's office manages all license suspensions in the state. You will need to work with that office, not with Ann Arbor city government, to restore your license.
The reason for your suspension determines what you must do to get it back. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, driving with a suspended license, accumulating too many points on your record, or not paying child support. Each has a different path to restoration.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan's Secretary of State suspends licenses, not Ann Arbor, so you must contact the state office to find out why your license was suspended and what steps restore it.
- You can check your suspension status and reason online through the Secretary of State's website or by calling their customer service line.
- Most suspensions require you to pay outstanding fines, complete a required program, or resolve the underlying court case before the state will lift the suspension.
- Once you have met all requirements, you must formally request reinstatement through the Secretary of State, which usually takes one to two weeks to process.
- Driving on a suspended license in Michigan is a separate criminal offense that can result in arrest, additional fines, and a longer suspension.
How to find out why your license was suspended
You need to know the reason before you can fix it. The Michigan Secretary of State maintains a public lookup tool on its website where you can enter your driver's license number and date of birth to see your suspension status and the reason listed.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, call the Secretary of State's customer service line at 1-888-767-6424. They can tell you the suspension reason, what you need to do to restore your license, and whether any fees explore. Have your driver's license number ready when you call.
The suspension notice should also have been mailed to your address on file. If you received a notice but cannot find it, the Secretary of State's office can mail you a new one or provide the information over the phone.
Common suspension reasons and how to resolve each one
Unpaid traffic fines or court costs: Contact the court that issued the ticket or fine. In Ann Arbor, that is typically the 14-A District Court or Washtenaw County Trial Court, depending on where the violation occurred. You can pay the fine in full, set up a payment plan, or request a hearing to contest the fine. Once paid or resolved, notify the Secretary of State that the fine is settled, and they will process the reinstatement.
Failure to appear in court: You must resolve the underlying case. Contact the court listed on your suspension notice. You may need to appear before a judge, pay a failure-to-appear fee, or reschedule your court date. Once the case is resolved, the court will notify the Secretary of State, or you can request reinstatement yourself.
Too many points on your driving record: Michigan suspends licenses when drivers accumulate 12 or more points within a two-year period. You cannot remove points, but the suspension is temporary. After the suspension period ends (usually 30 days to one year depending on your record), you can request reinstatement. Some drivers are required to complete a driver improvement course before reinstatement is allowed.
Driving with a suspended license: This creates a new suspension on top of the original one. You must resolve the original suspension first, then address the new violation. If you were charged with a crime for driving suspended, you will need to resolve that case in court before the Secretary of State will reinstate your license.
Child support arrears: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services can request a license suspension if you are behind on court-ordered child support. Contact your local Friend of the Court office or the state's child support enforcement agency to bring your account current or arrange a payment plan. Once resolved, they will notify the Secretary of State to lift the suspension.
Steps to restore your license after meeting requirements
Once you have paid fines, completed required programs, resolved court cases, or met whatever condition caused the suspension, you must formally request reinstatement. You cannot straightforward show up at a Secretary of State office and expect your license to be restored — the state needs written confirmation that the requirement has been met.
If the court or agency that imposed the suspension (such as Friend of the Court) is required to notify the Secretary of State, they will do so automatically. However, you should not assume this has happened. Call the Secretary of State's office to confirm your suspension has been lifted before attempting to drive.
If you paid a fine directly to the court, bring proof of payment to a Secretary of State office. Bring your driver's license, proof of payment, and a photo ID. The office can process a reinstatement request on the spot, though it may take a few days for the system to update. In Ann Arbor, the nearest Secretary of State office is located downtown; you can find the exact address and hours on the state's website.
If reinstatement requires a fee, the Secretary of State will tell you the amount when you call. Reinstatement fees vary but typically range from $20 to $100 depending on the suspension reason and whether it is your first suspension.
What to do if you need to drive before your license is restored
Driving on a suspended license is illegal in Michigan and carries serious consequences: criminal charges, additional fines up to $500, possible jail time, and an extended suspension. Do not drive until your license is officially restored.
If you need transportation for work, medical appointments, or other essential purposes, consider using rideshare services, public transit, taxis, or asking friends or family for rides. Ann Arbor has a public bus system (Ann Arbor Transportation Authority) that serves most of the city and surrounding areas.
If you were suspended for unpaid fines and cannot afford to pay when ready, ask the court about a payment plan. Courts often allow drivers to pay fines in installments, which can get your license restored faster than waiting to save the full amount.
How long reinstatement takes
Once you have met all requirements and submitted your reinstatement request, the Secretary of State typically processes it within one to two weeks. If you request reinstatement in person at a Secretary of State office, the system may update the same day, though you should wait 24 hours before assuming it is complete.
If you requested reinstatement by mail or phone, allow two weeks for processing. You can call the Secretary of State's office to check the status of your reinstatement request using your driver's license number.
Some suspensions have a mandatory waiting period that must pass before reinstatement is even possible. For example, suspensions for accumulating too many points have a set duration. You cannot shorten this period by paying a fee or completing a program — you must wait until the period ends, then request reinstatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
Michigan does not issue hardship or restricted licenses for most suspensions. However, if your suspension is for unpaid child support or certain other reasons, you may be able to request a work permit that allows driving to and from work only. Contact the Secretary of State's office to ask whether a work permit is available for your specific suspension reason.
Will my suspension show up on background checks?
A license suspension is a public record and may appear on background checks, particularly those run by employers or insurance companies. Once your license is restored, the suspension remains part of your driving history but is no longer active. Some employers and insurers will see it; others may not, depending on how far back they check.
What if I moved and the suspension notice went to my old address?
Update your address with the Secretary of State as soon as possible. You can do this online, by mail, or at a Secretary of State office. If you did not receive notice of the suspension, you can still look up your status online or call customer service. The suspension is in effect regardless of whether you received the notice.
Do I have to pay a reinstatement fee even if the suspension was a mistake?
If the suspension was issued in error, contact the Secretary of State's office when ready with documentation of the error. They can investigate and lift the suspension without a reinstatement fee if they confirm it was their mistake. If the suspension was correct but you believe the underlying violation was unfair, you would need to contest the original ticket or fine in court, not with the Secretary of State.
Can I drive in other states while my Michigan license is suspended?
No. A Michigan license suspension is recognized in all other states through the Interstate Compact on Driver Licenses. You cannot legally drive in any state while your Michigan license is suspended.