Michigan suspends your license when you accumulate 12 points within a two-year period
Michigan's Secretary of State uses a point system to track driving violations. Each violation carries a set number of points. When your total reaches 12 points in any two-year rolling window, the state automatically suspends your license for 30 days on a first suspension. The suspension is mandatory — there is no threshold below 12 where you can avoid it, and there is no appeal process that removes the suspension once it is triggered.
The two-year window is rolling, not calendar-based. This means the state looks back 24 months from today. If you received 8 points on January 15, 2023, and 4 points on January 20, 2025, those points combine to trigger suspension because they fall within a two-year span. But if you received 8 points on January 15, 2023, and 4 points on January 20, 2025, the 2023 points drop off the calculation on January 15, 2025 — so the 4 new points alone would not suspend you.
The length of suspension increases with repeat offenses. 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. These timeframes are fixed by state law and do not change based on the specific violations.
Key Takeaways
- Twelve points accumulated within any two-year period triggers a mandatory 30-day license suspension; the state does not consider your driving record otherwise.
- Common violations carry 2 to 6 points each, so a single serious violation like reckless driving (6 points) plus a few minor ones can reach 12 points quickly.
- The two-year window is rolling, meaning points from 24 months ago stop counting once that date passes, even if you have not yet reached 12 points.
- Suspension length increases for repeat offenses: 30 days for the first, 60 days for the second within seven years, and 180 days for the third or more.
- You cannot reduce points or avoid suspension through traffic school, defensive driving courses, or other programs in Michigan.
Which violations add points and how many each is worth
Michigan assigns points based on the severity and type of violation. Minor infractions like speeding 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit carry 2 points. Speeding 6 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 3 points. Speeding 11 to 15 miles per hour over the limit is 4 points. Speeding more than 15 miles per hour over the limit is 6 points.
Reckless driving, improper passing, and failure to yield right-of-way each carry 6 points. Careless driving is 3 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Operating under the influence (OUI) is 6 points. Hit-and-run is 6 points. Fleeing police is 6 points. Improper turn or lane change is 3 points. Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign is 4 points.
Not all violations add points. Parking tickets, equipment violations (broken headlight, expired registration sticker), and some administrative violations do not appear on your driving record for point purposes. The Secretary of State publishes the complete point schedule, and you can request your driving record to see exactly which violations are on file and how many points each carries.
How to check your current point total
You can view your Michigan driving record through the Secretary of State's online system at michigan.gov/sos. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online record shows all violations from the past seven years and the points assigned to each one. You can also print or read the record for your own records.
If you prefer not to use the online system, you can request a copy of your driving record by mail or in person at a Secretary of State office. The record costs a small fee (typically $5 to $10) and takes a few business days to arrive by mail. In-person requests are usually processed the same day.
Your insurance company also receives copies of your driving record and may use it to set your rates. If you are unsure whether a violation was reported to the state, checking your official record is the only way to know for certain.
What happens when you reach 12 points
The Secretary of State sends you a suspension notice by mail. The notice states the suspension start date, which is typically 10 to 14 days after the notice is mailed, giving you time to arrange transportation. The notice also explains the length of suspension and your options for reinstatement.
During the suspension period, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and additional points on your record. If you are stopped by police during a suspension, you face misdemeanor charges.
You cannot reduce the suspension length or have it removed early through any program or petition. The only way to shorten a suspension is if the Secretary of State made an error in calculating your points — which is rare and requires a formal request for administrative review.
Reinstatement after suspension ends
Once your suspension period ends, you must formally reinstate your license with the Secretary of State. You cannot straightforward resume driving on the expiration date. Reinstatement requires paying a reinstatement fee (typically $125 to $200, depending on the reason for suspension) and submitting a reinstatement process.
You can reinstate your license online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office. Online reinstatement is the fastest option and usually takes one business day. By mail, allow five to seven business days. In-person reinstatement is when ready if you bring all required documents.
If you do not reinstate within a certain timeframe after the suspension ends, the state may revoke your license entirely, which is a more serious status than suspension and carries additional requirements to restore driving privileges.
Points that drop off your record over time
Points do not disappear from your driving record permanently, but they stop counting toward suspension once they are more than two years old. A violation from three years ago no longer affects your point total, even though it remains visible on your full driving history.
This rolling two-year window is why timing matters. If you have 10 points and one of them is about to turn two years old, you have a small window where you can receive 2 more points without triggering suspension. Once that oldest point drops off, the new points do not push you over 12.
However, points from violations that resulted in a suspension or revocation do not drop off as quickly. These serious violations remain on your record longer and continue to affect your insurance rates and future driving privileges even after the point threshold no longer applies to suspension.
How suspension affects your insurance and driving record
A license suspension is reported to your insurance company and typically results in a significant rate increase — often 20 to 50 percent or more, depending on your insurer and the reason for suspension. Some insurers may cancel your policy entirely if you are suspended for serious violations like OUI.
The suspension itself remains on your driving record for seven years. Even after your license is reinstated, insurers can see the suspension and use it to set rates. A second suspension within seven years triggers even higher rates because it shows a pattern of violations.
If you are suspended, you should notify your insurance company when ready. Driving without insurance during a suspension is a separate violation and can result in additional fines and license consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my license back before the suspension ends?
No. Michigan does not allow early reinstatement or suspension reduction through any program, petition, or appeal. The only exception is if the Secretary of State made a calculation error in assigning points, which you can challenge through a formal administrative review request.
Do traffic school or defensive driving courses remove points in Michigan?
No. Michigan does not offer point reduction programs through traffic school or defensive driving courses. Some states allow this, but Michigan does not. The only way to lower your point total is to wait for old violations to age out of the two-year window.
What if I was not the one driving when I got the ticket?
If someone else was driving your vehicle, you can request a hearing with the Secretary of State to contest the violation. You will need to provide evidence that another person was driving and may need that person to testify. However, if the ticket was issued to you as the registered owner, the burden is on you to prove you were not driving.
Does a suspension affect my ability to get a commercial driver's license?
Yes. A suspension on your personal driving record will prevent you from obtaining or renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL) while the suspension is active. After reinstatement, you can explore for a CDL, but the suspension will remain visible on your record and may affect your hiring prospects with employers.
Can I drive for work during a suspension if my job requires it?
No. A license suspension is absolute — you cannot drive for any reason, including work. Some states offer restricted licenses for work purposes, but Michigan does not. Your only option is to arrange alternative transportation or take unpaid leave until the suspension ends.