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

Michigan's Secretary of State tracks driving violations as points. When your total reaches 12 points in any two-year window, your license is automatically suspended. The suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days for a first offense, though the actual length depends on how many points you accumulated and whether you have prior suspensions.

Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the violation, not from when you paid the ticket or went to court. This means a violation from January 2023 stops counting toward your 12-point total in January 2025. Understanding this timeline matters because you might be close to suspension without realizing it — the Secretary of State does not send a warning letter before hitting 12 points.

You can check your current point total by visiting the Michigan Secretary of State website, calling their Driver Assessment and Appeal Division at 517-322-1460, or visiting a local branch office in person. Bring your driver's license or state ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license suspends automatically when you accumulate 12 points within two years, with no advance warning from the state.
  • Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket might be 2 points, while reckless driving is 6 points.
  • Points expire two years after the violation date, so an old ticket stops counting even if you never paid it.
  • You can check your point total through the Michigan Secretary of State website, by phone, or in person at a branch office.
  • A first suspension lasts at least 30 days, but you may be able to request a hearing to challenge the suspension.

What different violations are worth in points

Michigan assigns points based on the type of violation. Speeding 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points. Speeding 6 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 3 points. Speeding more than 10 miles per hour over the limit is 4 points. These are the most common violations people accumulate.

More serious violations carry higher point values. Reckless driving is 6 points. Improper lane change is 3 points. Failure to yield is 3 points. Careless driving is 3 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Hit-and-run is 6 points. Driving under the influence (first offense) is 6 points.

Some violations do not carry points at all — parking tickets, for example, or equipment violations like a broken headlight. You can find the complete point schedule on the Michigan Secretary of State website under "Driver Assessment Points."

How the two-year window works

The two-year period is a rolling window, not a calendar year. If you received a violation on March 15, 2023, that violation stops counting on March 15, 2025. If you get another violation on March 20, 2025, you now have a new two-year window that runs until March 20, 2027.

This matters because you could be at 11 points, then have one violation expire, dropping you to 8 points — even if you received a new ticket in the meantime. The state counts only violations within the most recent two years. However, if you accumulate 12 points before any of them expire, your suspension takes effect when ready.

The violation date is what counts, not the date you paid the ticket, went to court, or received the ticket in the mail. A ticket issued on January 10 counts from January 10, even if you did not receive it until February.

What happens when you reach 12 points

The Secretary of State's computer system automatically flags your record when you hit 12 points. You will receive a suspension notice in the mail, typically within two to four weeks of the violation that pushed you over 12. The notice tells you when your suspension begins and how long it lasts.

A first suspension lasts 30 days. A second suspension within seven years lasts 60 days. A third or subsequent suspension within seven years lasts 90 days or longer. These are the minimum lengths — your actual suspension may be longer depending on your record.

During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is itself a violation worth 6 points and can result in criminal charges. You also cannot renew your vehicle registration while your license is suspended.

How to request a hearing before suspension takes effect

Michigan law allows you to request a hearing to challenge the suspension. You must request it within 14 days of receiving the suspension notice. The hearing is conducted by the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division, usually by phone or video conference.

At the hearing, you can argue that the points were assessed incorrectly, that a violation should not have been recorded, or that there are circumstances the state should consider. However, the hearing officer cannot straightforward waive the suspension because you have a good driving record otherwise or because the suspension would be inconvenient. The points are what they are.

To request a hearing, call the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division at 517-322-1460 or submit a written request to the address on your suspension notice. Include your driver's license number and the reason you believe the suspension should not take effect. If you miss the 14-day window, you can still request a hearing after the suspension ends, but it will not stop the suspension itself.

How to get your license back after suspension

After your suspension period ends, you must visit a Secretary of State branch office to reinstate your license. You cannot straightforward start driving again — reinstatement requires an in-person visit. Bring your driver's license, proof of identity, and payment for the reinstatement fee, which is currently $125.

Some people are required to install an ignition interlock device (a breathalyzer connected to the engine) before reinstatement. This applies if your suspension was related to a DUI or if you have multiple suspensions. The Secretary of State will tell you in the suspension notice whether this applies to you.

If you were suspended for accumulating points from regular traffic violations (not DUI), you do not need to take a written test or driving test to get your license back. You straightforward pay the fee and your license is reinstated. However, if you accumulate 12 more points within the next seven years, you will be suspended again.

Ways to reduce points on your record

Michigan allows you to remove up to 4 points from your record by completing a defensive driving course. The course must be approved by the Secretary of State — not all driving schools offer approved courses, so you need to verify before enrolling. The course typically costs $20 to $50 and takes four to eight hours to complete, either in person or online.

You can take a defensive driving course once every 12 months, meaning you could potentially remove up to 4 points per year. However, you cannot use a course to remove points if you are currently suspended or if your license is revoked. You must wait until after reinstatement.

Some traffic violations can be reduced or dismissed if you contest them in court and the prosecutor agrees to a plea deal. For example, a reckless driving charge (6 points) might be reduced to careless driving (3 points). This requires going to court and is not something you can do on your own — you may want to consult with a traffic attorney if the violation is serious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Michigan suspension?

Yes, if you have a valid Michigan license. Michigan counts violations from other states through the Interstate Compact, an agreement between states to share driving records. A speeding ticket from Ohio or Indiana will add points to your Michigan record and can contribute to suspension.

What if I was not the one driving when I got the ticket?

The ticket is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, but points are assessed to the driver. If someone else was driving, you can go to court and provide evidence (like a witness or insurance records) that you were not behind the wheel. The judge can dismiss the ticket or transfer it to the actual driver if you can prove it.

Can I get my license suspended for points if I have a commercial driver's license?

Commercial driver's license holders have a separate point system with stricter thresholds. A CDL suspends at 12 points within three years (not two), but the consequences are more severe because your job may depend on your license. Contact the Secretary of State for your specific CDL point total.

How long does a suspension stay on my driving record?

The suspension itself stays on your record permanently, but the points that caused it expire two years after each violation date. After seven years, the suspension is no longer considered when calculating future suspensions — meaning a second suspension within seven years is treated differently than a second suspension eight years later.

Can I get a restricted license to drive to work during suspension?

Michigan does not issue restricted licenses for point-based suspensions. You cannot legally drive for any reason during the suspension period. However, if your suspension was related to a DUI, you may be able to request a restricted license for work or medical appointments — this requires a separate petition to the Secretary of State.