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

In Michigan, the Secretary of State tracks points on your driving record based on traffic violations you receive. When you reach 12 points in any two-year rolling window, your license is automatically suspended for at least 30 days. The suspension is mandatory — there is no threshold below 12 where you get a warning or a chance to take a course to avoid it.

The two-year window is not a calendar year. It moves forward with each violation. If you get a ticket on January 15, 2024, and another on January 20, 2026, those two violations are not in the same two-year period. But if you get one on January 15, 2024, and another on January 10, 2026, they are both counted because January 10, 2026 falls within two years of January 15, 2024.

Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the fine or went to court. Once two years have passed since a violation, that point no longer counts toward the 12-point threshold, though the violation itself remains visible on your driving history.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Michigan license suspends automatically when you reach 12 points within any two-year rolling period, with no exceptions or appeals to prevent the suspension itself.
  • Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket is typically 3 points, reckless driving is 6 points, and a DUI is 6 points, but the exact value depends on the specific charge.
  • The two-year window moves forward with each violation, so a ticket from January 2024 and one from January 2026 both count if they fall within 24 months of each other.
  • Once suspended, you must serve the suspension period and then request a hearing with the Secretary of State to determine whether you can get your license back.
  • Points drop off your record two years after the violation date, but the violation itself stays on your driving history permanently.

How many points each violation costs

Michigan assigns points based on the type of violation. Speeding violations are the most common and typically cost 3 points, though speeding in a school zone or construction zone can be higher. Reckless driving, improper lane change, and failure to yield are usually 4 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license, DUI, and fleeing police are 6 points each.

The exact point value depends on what the officer wrote on the ticket and what charge the court enters into the system. If you received a ticket for "speeding 10 mph over the limit," that is different from "speeding 25 mph over the limit" in terms of how the court may handle it, but both are typically 3 points. If you are unsure what points a specific violation carries, you can contact the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division or ask the court that handled your case.

Some violations do not carry points at all — parking tickets, equipment violations, and certain administrative infractions are point-free. However, if you fail to pay a fine or ignore a ticket, the Secretary of State may suspend your license for non-compliance, which is separate from the point system.

What happens when you reach 12 points

When the Secretary of State's computer system detects that you have accumulated 12 points within a two-year period, your license is suspended. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining the suspension and the date it takes effect. The suspension is not when ready — you typically have time between when the violation is recorded and when the suspension becomes active, usually a few weeks.

The minimum suspension period is 30 days for a first suspension due to points. If you have been suspended for points before, the second suspension is at least 60 days, and a third or subsequent suspension is at least 90 days. These are minimums; the Secretary of State can impose a longer suspension if circumstances warrant it.

During the suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is itself a violation that carries 6 points and criminal penalties including fines and possible jail time. You must stop driving when ready when the suspension takes effect.

How to request a hearing after suspension

After you have served the minimum suspension period, you can request a hearing with the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division. You do not automatically get your license back — you must ask for the hearing and attend it. The hearing is your chance to show that you are safe to drive again.

To request a hearing, contact the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division by phone at 517-335-9800 or visit their office in Lansing. You can also mail a written request. The Secretary of State will schedule a hearing, usually within a few weeks. At the hearing, you will speak with an examiner who will ask about your driving habits, what led to the violations, and what you have done since the suspension to improve your driving.

The examiner may ask you to take a written test on Michigan traffic laws, a vision test, or both. Bring documentation of any defensive driving courses you have taken, proof of insurance, and any other evidence that shows you are ready to drive safely. The examiner will decide whether to reinstate your license, extend the suspension, or impose conditions such as requiring an ignition interlock device if your violations involved alcohol.

Defensive driving courses and point reduction

Michigan allows you to reduce points on your record by taking a defensive driving course approved by the Secretary of State. You can remove up to 4 points by completing one course, but you can only do this once every 12 months. The course must be taken before you are suspended — taking it after suspension does not reduce the points that caused the suspension.

The course is typically offered online or in person and takes 4 to 8 hours to complete. You pay a fee to the course provider, usually between $20 and $50. After you finish, the provider sends a completion certificate to the Secretary of State, and the points are removed from your record within a few weeks.

This is useful if you have 8 or 9 points and want to avoid reaching 12. However, if you already have 12 or more points, the course will not prevent the suspension that has already been triggered. It can only help you avoid future suspensions by keeping your point total down.

Violations that lead to when ready suspension

Some violations result in an when ready suspension that is separate from the point system. A DUI conviction triggers an automatic license suspension that begins right away, regardless of your point total. The length depends on whether it is your first offense and whether you refused a breath test, but it typically ranges from 6 months to several years.

Driving with a suspended or revoked license also results in when ready suspension if you are caught. Reckless driving causing injury or death can lead to when ready suspension as well. These suspensions are handled differently than point-based suspensions and often require a separate hearing process or court involvement to reinstate your license.

If you have received notice of an when ready suspension, contact a lawyer or the Secretary of State's office to understand your specific situation, because the reinstatement process varies depending on the reason for the suspension.

How to check your current point total

You can check how many points are on your Michigan driving record by visiting the Secretary of State's website and using the online driving record lookup tool, or by visiting a Secretary of State office in person. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online tool shows your current point total and lists each violation on your record with the date and point value.

Checking your record regularly is useful because it tells you how close you are to 12 points and whether all violations have been recorded correctly. If you see a violation on your record that you believe is wrong — for example, a ticket you paid or a violation that should have been dismissed — contact the court that handled the case to request a correction. Once the court corrects it, the Secretary of State's record will update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive during the suspension if I get a work permit?

Michigan does not issue work permits that allow you to drive during a points-based suspension. You cannot drive at all during the suspension period, even for work. Once you have served the suspension and had your license reinstated at a hearing, you can drive normally again.

Do points from other states count toward Michigan's 12-point limit?

Yes. Michigan's point system includes violations from other states through the Interstate Compact, a system states use to share driving records. A speeding ticket you received in Ohio or Indiana will appear on your Michigan record and count toward the 12-point threshold.

What if I pay a ticket but the points are still on my record?

Paying the fine does not remove the points. Points stay on your record for two years from the violation date regardless of when you paid. The only ways to remove points before two years have passed are to take a defensive driving course (up to 4 points) or to have the conviction overturned in court.

How long does it take to get my license back after a suspension?

You must serve the minimum suspension period (30 days for a first suspension), then request a hearing. The hearing is usually scheduled within a few weeks. If the examiner approves reinstatement, your license is restored when ready or within a few business days. The entire process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from the start of the suspension.

Can I get a hardship license while suspended?

Michigan does not issue hardship licenses for points-based suspensions. You must wait until your suspension period ends and you have been approved at a hearing. For DUI-related suspensions, a hardship license may be available, but you would need to contact the Secretary of State or a lawyer to explore that option.