Michigan suspensions are not all the same length

A suspended license in Michigan lasts anywhere from 30 days to a lifetime, depending on why it was suspended. The most common reason — a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) — carries a mandatory suspension of at least six months for a first offense. Other suspensions, like those for unpaid traffic fines or too many points on your record, may last only a few months. The state does not have a single answer because the length is tied to the specific violation that triggered the suspension.

The Secretary of State's office is the only body that can suspend your license in Michigan, and they are also the only body that can tell you the exact end date of your suspension. If you do not know why your license was suspended, you need that information first — it determines everything else that follows.

Key Takeaways

  • A first DUI conviction in Michigan carries a mandatory six-month license suspension; a second offense within seven years brings a one-year suspension.
  • Suspensions for unpaid traffic fines or accumulated points typically last 30 to 90 days once the underlying issue is resolved.
  • You can contact the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division to confirm your suspension length and end date.
  • Some suspensions can be shortened through a hardship appeal, which allows limited driving for work or medical reasons during the suspension period.
  • Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Michigan and carries jail time and additional fines.

DUI suspensions: the longest and most common

A first DUI conviction results in a mandatory six-month suspension. If you refused a breath or blood test during the arrest, the suspension is one year. A second DUI within seven years brings a one-year suspension (or two years if you refused the test). A third offense within ten years results in a one-year suspension, and a fourth or subsequent offense within ten years is a lifetime suspension with no possibility of reinstatement.

These suspensions begin on the date you are convicted, not the date of arrest. If you are arrested today but convicted six months from now, your six-month suspension clock starts on the conviction date. During this time, you cannot drive at all — not even to work or medical appointments — unless you obtain a hardship license, which is a separate process explained below.

Point-based and administrative suspensions

Michigan uses a point system for traffic violations. Accumulating 12 points within two years triggers a suspension. The length depends on how many points you have: 12 to 13 points results in a 30-day suspension; 14 to 15 points results in a 60-day suspension; 16 or more points results in a 90-day suspension. These suspensions begin on the date the Secretary of State mails you notice.

Other administrative suspensions — for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or failure to pay child support — typically last 30 to 90 days. Once you pay the fine, appear in court, or resolve the underlying issue, you can request reinstatement. The Secretary of State will lift the suspension within a few business days of receiving proof that the issue is resolved.

How to find out your specific suspension length

Contact the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division by phone at 517-322-1460. Have your driver's license number ready. They will tell you the reason for the suspension, the date it began, and the date it will end. If you received a notice in the mail when the suspension was imposed, that notice also contains the end date.

You can also check your driving record online through the Secretary of State's website, though the record may not always show the exact end date — a phone call is more reliable. If you are unsure whether your license is currently suspended, checking your record is the fastest way to know.

Hardship licenses: limited driving during suspension

Michigan allows you to request a hardship license during most suspensions (DUI suspensions have different rules). A hardship license permits you to drive only for specific purposes: work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs, or child care. You cannot use it for any other reason.

To request a hardship license, contact the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division. You will need to show proof of financial hardship — typically a letter from your employer stating that you need to drive to keep your job, or a medical document showing you need to drive to medical treatment. The approval process takes one to two weeks. A hardship license does not shorten your suspension; it straightforward allows limited driving during the suspension period.

For DUI suspensions specifically, a hardship license is available only after you have served at least 30 days of a first-offense suspension, and you must install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. This device requires you to blow into a breathalyzer before the car will start. The cost is yours to bear, typically $60 to $100 per month.

What happens when your suspension ends

Your license does not automatically become valid on the day your suspension ends. You must request reinstatement from the Secretary of State. For most suspensions, reinstatement is automatic if you have no new violations during the suspension period, but you should contact the office to confirm. For DUI suspensions, you must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $125 for a first offense) and provide proof that you have completed any court-ordered programs, such as substance abuse treatment.

Once reinstatement is approved, you can drive legally again. If you drive before reinstatement is complete, you are driving on a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Michigan carrying up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine for a first offense.

Driving on a suspended license: the separate crime

Driving while your license is suspended is not a traffic violation — it is a criminal misdemeanor. A first offense carries up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense within seven years carries up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. These penalties stack on top of your original suspension, meaning you could end up with a longer suspension or additional criminal charges.

If you are stopped by police and your license is suspended, tell the officer when ready. Do not attempt to hide the suspension or provide an expired license. Being honest about your status may result in a citation, but attempting to conceal it can lead to additional charges for providing false information to law enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work during a DUI suspension?

Not without a hardship license. A standard DUI suspension prohibits all driving. You must request a hardship license from the Secretary of State and wait at least 30 days into your suspension before you are may be able to access. You will also need to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle at your own cost.

Does my suspension end automatically, or do I have to do something?

For most suspensions, reinstatement is automatic if you have no new violations. For DUI suspensions, you must pay a reinstatement fee and provide proof of completing court-ordered programs. Contact the Secretary of State to confirm your status rather than assuming your license is valid again.

What if I was suspended for unpaid fines and I just paid them?

Send proof of payment to the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division. Once they receive and process it, your suspension will be lifted within a few business days. You do not need to wait for the original suspension period to end.

Can a suspension be shortened or removed early?

DUI suspensions cannot be shortened, but you can request a hardship license for limited driving after 30 days. Other suspensions may be lifted early if you resolve the underlying issue (like paying a fine). Contact the Secretary of State to discuss your specific situation.

What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation?

A suspension is temporary and your license will be valid again after a set period or once conditions are met. A revocation is permanent or long-term, typically following multiple DUI convictions. A revoked license requires a formal reinstatement process and may never be restored, depending on the reason for revocation.