What a Michigan driving record contains and how to get yours
Your Michigan driving record is a document kept by the Secretary of State that shows your driving history — traffic violations, accidents you reported, license suspensions, points, and convictions. It does not include accidents where no police report was filed, and it does not show insurance claims. You can request your own record in person at a Secretary of State office, by mail, or online through the state's official portal.
The record you receive will list violations by date, the county where each occurred, and the disposition (whether you paid, contested, or were found guilty). Points accumulate based on the violation type and stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on what happened — a minor speeding ticket may drop off after a few years, but a serious conviction can remain much longer.
Understanding what is actually on your record matters because employers, insurance companies, and courts all request it. Errors do occur — a ticket dismissed in court sometimes appears as a conviction, or points are recorded incorrectly. Knowing what is there lets you correct it before someone else sees it.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan driving records show traffic violations, accidents, license actions, and convictions, but not insurance claims or unreported accidents.
- You can view your record online through the Secretary of State website, request it by mail, or get it in person at any Secretary of State office.
- Points from violations stay on your record for different periods — minor infractions may drop off after a few years, but serious convictions can remain much longer.
- Errors on your record do happen and can affect insurance rates and employment; you have the right to request a correction through the Secretary of State.
How to request your driving record online
The fastest way to get your Michigan driving record is through the Secretary of State's online system. Go to the official Michigan Secretary of State website and look for the "Driving Record" or "Abstract of Driving Record" option. You will need your driver's license number, full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
The online system will display your record when ready after you verify your identity. You can view it on screen, print it, or read it as a PDF. There is a small fee — currently around $5 to $10, though this amount can change. Payment is processed by credit or debit card. The record you receive online is official and accepted by employers, courts, and insurance companies.
If you cannot access the online system or prefer not to use it, the Secretary of State also accepts requests by mail. Send a signed request with your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a check or money order to the address listed on the Secretary of State website. Processing by mail typically takes one to two weeks.
What violations and points mean on your record
Michigan uses a point system for traffic violations. Each type of violation carries a set number of points — for example, speeding 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit is typically 1 point, while reckless driving is 6 points. These points accumulate, and if you reach 12 points within a two-year period, your license is automatically suspended for 30 days. A second suspension within seven years lasts 60 days; a third is 150 days.
Your record will show the violation, the date, the county, and how many points were assigned. It will also show whether the violation was a misdemeanor or felony, and whether it involved alcohol or drugs. Convictions for serious offenses like driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving remain on your record for much longer than minor speeding tickets — sometimes permanently for insurance and employment purposes, though the state may remove them from the official record after a set period.
Points do not stay on your record forever. Michigan removes points after a certain time if you do not receive any new violations. A violation-free year can reduce your point total. Understanding this timeline matters because it affects when your license might be suspended and when you become may be able to access to have points removed.
Accidents and suspensions on your record
If you were involved in a reportable accident in Michigan, it appears on your driving record. A reportable accident is one where someone was injured, property damage exceeded $1,000, or a police report was filed. Accidents where you were found at fault add points to your record — typically 6 points for an at-fault accident. Accidents where you were not at fault do not add points but still appear on the record.
License suspensions also show on your record, along with the reason — points accumulation, failure to pay a fine, failure to appear in court, or a conviction for a serious offense. The suspension dates are listed so anyone reviewing your record can see when you were not legally permitted to drive. Reinstatement fees and requirements vary depending on why your license was suspended.
If your license was suspended and you have since had it reinstated, both the suspension and the reinstatement appear on your record. This history matters to insurance companies and employers because it shows whether you have had serious driving violations or legal compliance issues.
How long violations stay on your Michigan record
The length of time a violation remains on your record depends on what type of violation it is. Minor infractions like speeding or improper lane change typically stay for three to seven years. More serious violations like reckless driving, at-fault accidents, or moving violations that resulted in points stay longer — often 10 years or more. Convictions for DUI, drug-related driving offenses, or felony traffic violations can remain on your record indefinitely for some purposes.
It is important to understand that "removal from your record" does not always mean the violation disappears completely. The Secretary of State may stop displaying it on the abstract you receive, but courts, law enforcement, and some background check companies may still have access to historical records. For insurance purposes, violations typically affect your rates for three to five years even if they no longer appear on the official state record.
You can ask the Secretary of State when specific violations will be removed from your record. If you believe a violation should have been removed and it still appears, you can request a review. Keep in mind that removal timelines are set by state law and cannot be shortened, though you may be able to have an error corrected when ready.
Correcting errors on your driving record
If your record contains an error — a violation you did not commit, a conviction that was dismissed, points that were recorded incorrectly, or a violation listed twice — you have the right to request a correction. Start by contacting the Secretary of State's office directly. Explain what is wrong and provide documentation: a court order showing the violation was dismissed, a receipt showing you paid a fine, or a letter from the court correcting the record.
The Secretary of State will investigate your request and contact the court or law enforcement agency that reported the violation. If the error is confirmed, the state will issue a corrected record. This process can take several weeks. During that time, the incorrect information may still appear if someone requests your record, so it is worth notifying employers or insurance companies that a correction is pending if the error affects them.
If the Secretary of State denies your correction request, you can appeal through the state's administrative review process or file a complaint with the court that handled the original case. Keep copies of all correspondence and documentation — you may need it if you have to dispute an insurance rate increase or employment decision based on the incorrect record.
Who can see your driving record and what they use it for
Your driving record is not completely private. Employers, insurance companies, courts, law enforcement, and other authorized parties can request it. Employers often check records for positions involving driving or public safety. Insurance companies use it to set rates and decide whether to cover you. Courts review it when you are charged with a traffic offense or when it is relevant to a civil case.
You can also request your own record, and you should do so periodically to check for errors. Some people discover violations they did not know about — a ticket issued in their name that they never received, or a conviction from a case they thought was dismissed. Catching these errors early prevents them from affecting insurance rates or employment decisions.
When you request your own record, you receive what is called an "abstract" — a summary of the information the state has. This is the same document employers and insurance companies see. Some agencies have access to more detailed information, but the abstract is what most people and organizations rely on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get my Michigan driving record?
The fee is typically $5 to $10 for an online request through the Secretary of State website. Requests by mail may have a different fee. Check the official Michigan Secretary of State website for the current price, as fees can change. You pay by credit card online or by check or money order if you request by mail.
Can I see my record if someone else requests it about me?
No. Only you, authorized government agencies, employers with your permission, insurance companies, and courts can request your record. You cannot see what someone else requested about you, but if an employer or insurance company denies you based on your record, they must tell you what information they used.
Will a dismissed ticket still show on my record?
It should not, but errors do happen. Dismissed tickets sometimes appear as convictions if the court did not properly notify the Secretary of State. If you see a dismissed ticket on your record, contact the court that dismissed it and ask them to send a corrected report to the Secretary of State. You can also request a correction directly from the Secretary of State with proof of dismissal.
How do I remove points from my driving record faster?
Points are removed automatically after a violation-free period — typically one year without new violations. You cannot remove them faster through the Secretary of State. Some insurance companies offer discounts for defensive driving courses, which may lower your insurance rates but do not remove points from the state record.
Does my record show insurance claims or accidents I did not report to police?
No. Your driving record only shows accidents where a police report was filed and violations reported by law enforcement or courts. Insurance claims do not appear on your state driving record, though your insurance company maintains its own separate record of claims you have filed.