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

Michigan's Secretary of State tracks traffic violations as points on your driving record. When your total reaches 12 points in any consecutive 24-month window, your license is automatically suspended for at least 30 days. The suspension is mandatory — there is no threshold below 12 where you can still drive without restriction, and there is no appeal that removes the suspension once you hit that number.

The point total that triggers suspension does not reset when you get a new violation. Instead, Michigan looks backward at the last two years of your record. If you had 8 points 18 months ago and pick up a 4-point violation today, you are now at 12 points and your license goes into suspension when ready. The older violation will drop off your record in six months, but by then the suspension is already in effect.

Key Takeaways

  • A 12-point accumulation within 24 months triggers a mandatory 30-day suspension, with longer suspensions possible if you have prior suspensions.
  • Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket is typically 3 points, reckless driving is 6 points, and a DUI is 6 points.
  • Points stay on your record for two years from the violation date, not from when you paid the fine or completed traffic school.
  • You can request a hearing before the Secretary of State within 10 days of receiving your suspension notice, but the hearing cannot overturn the suspension itself.
  • Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points on your record, but only one course reduction is allowed every 12 months and only if you have no prior suspensions.

How Michigan assigns points to specific violations

The point value depends on the type of violation, not the fine amount. Speeding carries 3 points regardless of whether you were going 5 miles over the limit or 25 miles over. Reckless driving, improper passing, and failure to yield are each 6 points. A DUI or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 6 points.

Some violations carry fewer points. Improper turn, failure to signal, and equipment violations are typically 2 points each. Parking violations do not carry points at all. If you receive a ticket, the point value should be listed on the citation itself, though not always clearly labeled. You can also call the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division at 517-335-9724 to confirm the points for a specific violation before you pay the fine.

When the suspension notice arrives and what it means

The Secretary of State mails a suspension notice to the address on your driver's license. The notice arrives after your 12th point is recorded in their system, which typically happens 30 to 60 days after you pay a traffic fine or are convicted in court. The notice states the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and your right to request a hearing.

The suspension start date is usually 10 to 14 days after the notice is mailed, giving you a window to request a hearing if you believe there is an error in the point calculation. You cannot request a hearing to argue that you should not have received the ticket itself — that argument belongs in traffic court before conviction. The hearing is only to verify that the points were calculated correctly and that you were properly notified.

How to request a hearing before suspension takes effect

You have 10 days from the date on the suspension notice to request a hearing. Send a written request to the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division, P.O. Box 30676, Lansing, MI 48909. Include your driver's license number, the date of the notice, and a brief statement of why you believe the suspension is in error. You can also request a hearing by phone at 517-335-9724, though a written request creates a record.

Requesting a hearing delays the suspension start date until after the hearing is held, which typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. However, the hearing officer cannot overturn the suspension if your point total is genuinely 12 or higher. The hearing is limited to whether the points were recorded correctly and whether you received proper notice. If the calculation is correct, the suspension will be upheld.

Length of suspension and what happens if you accumulate points again

Your first suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days. If you accumulate 12 points a second time within seven years of your first suspension, the second suspension lasts at least 60 days. A third suspension within seven years lasts at least 90 days. These minimums can be extended if you are convicted of certain violations while suspended, such as driving with a suspended license.

After your suspension ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State before you can legally drive again. The fee is $125 for a suspension and $200 for a revocation. You also need to provide proof of financial responsibility (car insurance) before reinstatement is granted. If you cannot provide proof of insurance, your license will not be reinstated even after you pay the fee and serve the suspension period.

Defensive driving course and point reduction

Completing a defensive driving course can reduce your point total by up to 4 points, but only under specific conditions. You must have no prior license suspensions, and you can only use this reduction once every 12 months. The course must be approved by the Michigan Secretary of State — not all driving schools offer approved courses, so confirm before you enroll.

The course typically costs $20 to $50 and takes 4 to 8 hours to complete, either in person or online. After you finish, the school sends a completion certificate to the Secretary of State, and the points are reduced within 30 to 60 days. If you have already been suspended, you cannot use a defensive driving course to reduce points and avoid the suspension. The reduction must happen before you reach 12 points.

How to check your current point total

You can view your driving record online through the Michigan Secretary of State website at michigan.gov/sos. Click "Driver Records" and select "View Your Driving Record." You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online record shows all violations from the past two years and the points assigned to each one.

You can also request a certified copy of your driving record by mail or in person at a Secretary of State office. The certified record costs $5 and takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive. If you see a violation on your record that you do not recognize or believe is incorrect, contact the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division at 517-335-9724 to dispute it before it contributes to a suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive during the 10 days after I get a suspension notice if I request a hearing?

Yes, you can drive until the suspension officially takes effect, which is typically 10 to 14 days after the notice is mailed. Requesting a hearing delays the suspension start date further, until after the hearing is held. However, if you are caught driving after the suspension date passes and before your hearing is scheduled, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license.

Do points from a ticket I paid in another state count toward Michigan suspension?

No. Only violations recorded in Michigan count toward the 12-point threshold. However, if you are convicted of a serious violation in another state, Michigan may suspend your license under its own rules, separate from the point system. Contact the Secretary of State to confirm whether an out-of-state conviction affects your Michigan license.

What if I was under 21 when I got the violation — do the points still count the same way?

Yes, the point values are the same regardless of age. However, drivers under 21 face additional restrictions. Accumulating 6 points within 12 months triggers a mandatory suspension for drivers under 21, compared to 12 points in 24 months for drivers 21 and older. If you were under 21 at the time of the violation, check whether you have already hit that lower threshold.

Can I get a hardship license to drive to work during my suspension?

Michigan does not issue hardship licenses for point-based suspensions. You cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period, including work, school, or medical appointments. Your only option is to serve the full suspension, pay the reinstatement fee, and provide proof of insurance before your license is restored.