Michigan suspends your license when you reach 12 points within a two-year period

In Michigan, the Secretary of State automatically suspends your driver's license once you accumulate 12 or more points on your driving record in any two-year window. The suspension is mandatory — there is no discretion, no appeal to avoid it, and no way to negotiate around the threshold. The moment you hit 12 points, the state mails you a notice and your license becomes invalid.

The two-year clock resets each time a violation is added to your record. If you get a 4-point violation today and a 3-point violation 18 months from now, those points are still within the same two-year window and count together. If you get another violation 25 months after the first one, that new violation starts a fresh two-year period, and the oldest violation drops off the count.

The length of your suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended before. A first suspension lasts 30 days. A second suspension within seven years lasts 60 days. A third or subsequent suspension within seven years lasts 180 days. If you rack up multiple suspensions, the clock for "within seven years" runs from the date of your most recent suspension.

Key Takeaways

  • Michigan suspends your license automatically when you reach 12 points in any two-year period; the Secretary of State does not hold a hearing or give you a chance to argue.
  • A first suspension lasts 30 days, a second within seven years lasts 60 days, and a third or more within seven years lasts 180 days.
  • Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the violation, but the two-year window is a rolling calculation that changes every time a new violation is added.
  • You can request a hearing to contest the suspension only if you believe the Secretary of State made an error in calculating your points, not to argue that the rule itself is unfair.
  • Driving during a suspension is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and an additional license suspension.

How points are assigned to different violations in Michigan

Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. Michigan assigns points based on the severity of the offense and the risk it poses to public safety. A minor violation like an expired registration might be 0 points, while a serious offense like reckless driving is 6 points.

Common violations and their point values include: speeding 1 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit (1 point for 1–5 mph over, 2 points for 6–10 mph over, 3 points for 11–15 mph over, 4 points for 16–25 mph over, 6 points for 26+ mph over); improper lane change, 2 points; failure to yield, 3 points; following too closely, 2 points; running a red light or stop sign, 3 points; reckless driving, 6 points; careless driving, 3 points; driving without a valid license, 6 points; and at-fault accident, 3 points. A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) or operating while impaired (OWI) does not add points to your driving record — instead, it triggers a separate administrative suspension handled by the Secretary of State.

The point value is determined by the offense itself, not by the fine you pay or the judge's decision. If you are convicted of speeding 20 mph over the limit, you get 4 points regardless of whether the fine was $100 or $200.

What happens when you receive a suspension notice

The Secretary of State mails a formal suspension notice to the address on file with your license. The notice includes the date your suspension begins, the length of the suspension, your point total, and instructions for requesting a hearing if you believe there is an error. Read this notice carefully — it contains important date and your legal options.

Your suspension becomes effective on the date stated in the notice, typically 10 to 14 days after the notice is mailed. You cannot drive legally after that date, even if you have not yet received the physical notice in the mail. If the notice was mailed to an old address and you did not receive it, you are still legally suspended. It is your responsibility to keep your address current with the Secretary of State.

During the suspension period, you cannot drive for any reason — not to work, not to the store, not to a medical appointment. Driving during a suspension is a criminal misdemeanor in Michigan. A first offense carries a fine of $200 to $500 and up to 90 days in jail. A second offense within seven years carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to one year in jail. You will also receive an additional license suspension on top of the one already in place.

Requesting a hearing to contest the suspension

You have the right to request a hearing, but only on narrow grounds. You can contest the suspension if you believe the Secretary of State made a factual error — for example, if a point was added for a violation you were not convicted of, or if points were counted twice for the same offense. You cannot request a hearing straightforward to argue that you should not lose your license or that the 12-point rule is unfair.

To request a hearing, you must submit a written request to the Secretary of State within 10 days of the date on your suspension notice. The request should state the specific error you believe was made and include any supporting documents — a copy of the court disposition showing you were acquitted, a letter from the court correcting a clerical error, or proof that a violation was dismissed. Mail your request to the address listed on the suspension notice.

The Secretary of State will schedule a hearing before an administrative law judge. You can attend in person or by phone. At the hearing, you present your evidence and the Secretary of State presents theirs. The judge will decide whether the points were calculated correctly. If the judge agrees with you, the suspension is cancelled or reduced. If the judge agrees with the Secretary of State, the suspension stands and you cannot appeal further.

How to restore your license after suspension ends

When your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically become valid again. You must take action to restore it. First, you must pay a license reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State. The fee is $125 for a first suspension, $200 for a second suspension within seven years, and $300 for a third or subsequent suspension within seven years. This fee is separate from any fines you may have paid to the court for the traffic violation itself.

You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at a branch office. Once the fee is received and processed, your license is restored. Processing typically takes 3 to 5 business days if you pay online or in person, and 7 to 10 business days if you mail a check.

If you do not pay the reinstatement fee, your license remains suspended indefinitely. You cannot straightforward wait out the suspension period and resume driving. The suspension will follow you and can result in additional criminal charges if you are caught driving.

Points that do not count toward suspension

Some violations do not add points to your driving record, even though they result in fines or other penalties. These include parking violations, equipment violations (broken taillight, expired registration), and violations of local ordinances that do not involve the operation of the vehicle itself. A conviction for DUI or OWI does not add points — instead, it triggers an when ready administrative suspension handled separately by the Secretary of State, and that suspension is in addition to any point-based suspension you might face.

Violations that occur outside Michigan may or may not be reported to the Michigan Secretary of State, depending on whether the other state participates in the Driver License Compact. Most states do participate, which means out-of-state convictions are reported and points are added to your Michigan record. However, some violations — particularly minor ones — may not be reported. You cannot assume an out-of-state ticket will not affect your Michigan license.

Reducing points through traffic safety school

Michigan allows you to reduce your point total by attending a traffic safety school (also called a defensive driving course). If you complete an approved course, you can reduce your point total by up to 4 points, but only once every 12 months. The course typically takes 4 to 8 hours and costs $20 to $50, depending on the provider.

To use traffic safety school to reduce points, you must enroll and complete the course before your suspension takes effect. Once you are suspended, you cannot use traffic safety school to avoid or reduce that suspension. However, you can use it after your suspension ends to reduce your remaining points and lower the risk of a future suspension.

Not all violations can be reduced through traffic safety school. Serious offenses like reckless driving, DUI, and OWI cannot be reduced. Additionally, you can only use traffic safety school once per 12-month period, so if you have multiple violations within a short timeframe, you can reduce only one of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work during a suspension if I have no other way to get there?

No. Michigan law does not allow any exceptions to a license suspension, even for work or medical emergencies. You must use public transportation, carpool, or arrange other transportation. Driving during a suspension is a criminal offense regardless of the reason.

What if I get a ticket while my license is suspended?

You will face additional criminal charges for driving with a suspended license, which carries fines and potential jail time. The court may also impose an additional suspension on top of the one already in place. This can create a cycle where each violation extends your suspension further.

Do points from violations in other states count toward Michigan suspension?

Yes, if the other state reports the conviction to Michigan through the Driver License Compact. Most states participate in this agreement, so out-of-state violations are typically added to your Michigan record. You should not assume an out-of-state ticket will not affect your license.

Can I get a hardship license to drive during my suspension?

Michigan does not issue hardship or restricted licenses for point-based suspensions. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period for any reason. (Note: hardship licenses are available for certain DUI-related suspensions, but not for point-based suspensions.)

How long do points stay on my record after the suspension ends?

Points remain on your driving record for two years from the date of the violation. After two years, they are removed and no longer count toward a future suspension. However, the violation itself may remain visible on your record for insurance and other purposes even after the points expire.