Michigan suspends your license when you reach 12 points within a two-year period
Michigan's Secretary of State uses a points system to track driving violations. Each violation carries a point value. When your total reaches 12 points in any two-year rolling window, the state automatically suspends your license for a minimum of 30 days. The suspension length increases if you accumulate points again after reinstatement.
The two-year window is not calendar-based. It moves forward continuously. If you received a violation on March 15, 2023, that violation stops counting toward your 12-point threshold on March 15, 2025 — but only if no new violations were added in the meantime. A single new violation restarts the clock for all points currently on your record.
Points remain on your driving record for two years from the date of conviction, not from the date of the ticket. If you contest a ticket and lose in court, the conviction date is when points are added. If you pay the ticket without contesting it, the conviction date is typically when you pay.
Key Takeaways
- Twelve points accumulated within any two-year period triggers an automatic 30-day license suspension from the Michigan Secretary of State.
- The two-year window is rolling, not calendar-based, and resets each time you receive a new violation.
- Points are assigned based on the violation type, not the severity of the accident or the fine amount.
- A second suspension within seven years results in a one-year suspension; a third suspension results in a permanent revocation unless you petition for reinstatement.
- You can request a hearing before the Secretary of State to challenge the suspension, but you must do so within 14 days of receiving the suspension notice.
Point values for common Michigan violations
Michigan assigns points based on the specific violation, not on how much damage occurred or how much you were fined. A violation that causes no accident can carry the same points as one that does. Here are the violations most commonly seen on Michigan driving records:
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–5 mph over limit | 1 |
| Speeding 6–10 mph over limit | 2 |
| Speeding 11+ mph over limit | 3 |
| Reckless driving | 6 |
| Careless driving | 3 |
| Improper lane change | 2 |
| Failure to yield | 3 |
| Running a red light or stop sign | 3 |
| Driving with suspended or revoked license | 6 |
| Operating under the influence (OUI) | 6 |
| Leaving the scene of an accident | 6 |
| Driving without insurance | 3 |
A single reckless driving conviction (6 points) or an OUI conviction (6 points) puts you halfway to suspension. Two moderate violations like speeding 11+ mph over the limit (3 points each) plus a failure to yield (3 points) equals 9 points — close enough that one more violation triggers suspension.
How suspension length increases after the first suspension
Your first suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days. However, if you accumulate 12 more points after your license is reinstated, the second suspension is longer. Michigan law sets the second suspension at one year. A third suspension within seven years of the first results in permanent revocation of your license.
The seven-year window for the "three strikes" rule is measured from the date of your first suspension, not from the date you were reinstated. If your first suspension was on January 10, 2024, you have until January 10, 2031 to avoid a third suspension. A second suspension on any date before January 10, 2031 counts toward the three-strike rule.
Permanent revocation is not the same as a lifetime ban. You can petition the Secretary of State for reinstatement after a minimum of one year has passed since the revocation date. The petition process requires you to demonstrate that you have addressed the reasons for your driving violations — which may include substance abuse treatment, defensive driving courses, or other evidence of changed behavior.
How to check your current point total
You can view your driving record through the Michigan Secretary of State website or by visiting a branch office in person. The online system, called MiDrivingRecord, allows you to order an official copy of your record for a fee. You can also call the Secretary of State's Customer Service line at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424) to ask about your point total, though they will not provide a detailed breakdown over the phone.
Your driving record shows every conviction on file, the date of conviction, the points assigned, and the date each violation will drop off your record. Points disappear automatically two years after the conviction date — you do not need to request their removal. However, the record itself remains part of your history and can be seen by insurance companies and law enforcement.
What happens when you reach 12 points
The Michigan Secretary of State sends you a suspension notice by mail. The notice includes the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and instructions for reinstatement. You have 14 days from the date you receive the notice to request a hearing if you believe the suspension was issued in error or if you want to present evidence to the Secretary of State.
During the suspension period, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries its own penalties, including fines, jail time, and additional points on your record. A first offense of driving with a suspended license adds 6 points to your record — enough to trigger another suspension when ready after your current one ends.
After your suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State before your license is restored. The fee varies depending on whether this is your first, second, or third suspension. You will also need to provide proof of insurance before reinstatement.
Options if you want to challenge the suspension
You can request a hearing with the Secretary of State within 14 days of receiving your suspension notice. The hearing is your opportunity to present evidence that the conviction was improper, that the points were calculated incorrectly, or that there are circumstances the Secretary of State should consider. However, the hearing officer cannot reduce or eliminate points that were properly assigned — they can only determine whether the suspension was issued correctly based on your record.
If you believe the underlying conviction was wrong, you may be able to challenge it in court through a motion to set aside the conviction or by appealing the conviction itself. This is a separate process from the Secretary of State hearing and requires working with an attorney or the court system. Overturning a conviction will remove the points from your record and may prevent or reverse a suspension.
Some violations can be reduced or dismissed through plea negotiations with the prosecutor. For example, a reckless driving charge (6 points) might be reduced to careless driving (3 points) if you negotiate before trial. This reduces your point total and may prevent a suspension. You should discuss this option with an attorney before your court date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Michigan suspension?
Yes. Michigan counts violations from other states under its point system. When you are convicted of a violation in another state, that state reports it to Michigan, and Michigan assigns points based on the equivalent Michigan violation. A speeding ticket from Ohio, for example, will be assigned points in Michigan based on how fast you were going.
Can I get points removed from my record early?
No. Points automatically drop off your record exactly two years after the conviction date. You cannot request early removal, and there is no program to reduce points through defensive driving or other means. However, if you can overturn a conviction in court, the points associated with that conviction will be removed when ready.
What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation?
A suspension is temporary. Your license is taken away for a set period (30 days for the first suspension, one year for the second), and you can drive again once that period ends and you pay the reinstatement fee. A revocation is permanent unless you petition for reinstatement. A third suspension within seven years results in revocation.
If I move out of Michigan, do I still have to follow the suspension?
Yes. A Michigan license suspension is valid nationwide. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, most states will discover the Michigan suspension through the National Driver Register and will not issue you a license until the suspension is resolved. You must complete the suspension period and pay reinstatement fees to Michigan before you can obtain a valid license anywhere.
Can I drive to work during my suspension with a restricted license?
Michigan does not issue restricted licenses during a suspension period. You cannot drive for any reason during the suspension, including work, medical appointments, or court-ordered obligations. Your only option is to request a hearing and ask the hearing officer to consider a restricted license, but this is rarely granted unless you can show extreme hardship and have completed substance abuse treatment or other court-ordered programs.