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

Michigan's Secretary of State tracks points on your driving record based on traffic violations and at-fault accidents. When your points total reaches 12 within any two-year rolling 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 have 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 drops off in January 2025, even if you didn't resolve it until March 2023. During those two years, every new violation adds to your total, and the clock resets for each new violation.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license suspends automatically when you reach 12 points within any two-year period; you do not have to wait for a letter from the Secretary of State.
  • Common violations carry 3 to 6 points: speeding 1–10 mph over the limit is 3 points, 11–15 mph over is 4 points, reckless driving is 6 points, and at-fault accidents are 3 to 6 points depending on severity.
  • A first suspension lasts 30 days minimum, but if you accumulate more points while suspended, the next suspension can last 60 days or longer.
  • You can reduce points through traffic school (one violation per lifetime) or by going violation-free for two years, which clears the oldest violations from your record.
  • The Secretary of State's website shows your current point total, and you can request a copy of your driving record by mail or in person at a branch office.

What violations cost in points

Michigan assigns points based on the type and severity of the violation. Speeding violations are the most common: driving 1–10 mph over the limit costs 3 points, 11–15 mph over costs 4 points, 16–25 mph over costs 5 points, and 26 mph or more over costs 6 points. Driving without a valid license, improper lane use, and failure to yield each carry 3 points.

More serious violations carry higher points. Reckless driving is 6 points, careless driving is 4 points, and driving under the influence (DUI) is 6 points. At-fault accidents are 3 points for minor damage, 4 points for moderate damage, and 6 points for serious damage or injury. Hit-and-run accidents are 6 points.

Violations that result in no points—such as parking tickets, equipment violations, or insurance-related offenses—do not count toward suspension, though they may still result in fines or other penalties.

How the two-year rolling window works

Michigan does not count points from violations older than two years. The two-year period is a rolling window, meaning it moves forward with each new violation. If you received a ticket on January 15, 2023, that violation stops counting on January 15, 2025—not on a calendar year or anniversary date.

This matters because you can stay under 12 points by spacing violations across time. If you have 10 points from violations dated January 2023 and you receive a new 4-point violation in January 2025, the old violation drops off the same month, so your total may stay at 4 points. However, if you receive that new violation in December 2024, you would temporarily have 14 points and face suspension.

The Secretary of State's online driving record tool shows the date each violation will drop off your record. You can check this at any time to see how close you are to the 12-point threshold.

Suspension length and what happens after

A first suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days. During this time, you cannot legally drive. The Secretary of State will mail you a notice of suspension, but the suspension takes effect when ready when you reach 12 points—you do not have to receive the letter first.

If you accumulate more points while your license is suspended, or if you receive another suspension within seven years, the next suspension is longer. A second suspension within seven years lasts 60 days. A third or subsequent suspension within seven years lasts 90 days or longer, depending on your total points.

After your suspension ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State before you can legally drive again. This fee varies but is typically $100 to $200. You will also need to provide proof of insurance and pass a vision test at a branch office before your license is reinstated.

Reducing points through traffic school or safe driving

Michigan allows you to remove one violation from your record by completing a traffic safety course (often called traffic school). You can do this only once in your lifetime, and only if you were not at fault in an accident and did not commit a serious violation like DUI or reckless driving. The violation must be a moving violation—parking tickets do not count.

To use this option, you typically must request it before you plead guilty or pay the fine. Some courts allow you to request it after conviction if you have not yet paid. The course costs between $50 and $150 depending on the provider, and you must complete it within a set timeframe (usually 30 to 90 days). Once you finish, the violation is removed from your record and no longer counts toward suspension.

If you avoid new violations for two years, the oldest violations on your record drop off automatically. This is the only way to clear multiple violations at once. For example, if you have violations from January 2023 and March 2023, both drop off in January 2025 and March 2025 respectively, as long as you do not receive new violations in the meantime.

Checking your driving record and current points

You can view your current point total through the Michigan Secretary of State's online driving record lookup tool at michigan.gov/sos. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online tool shows your points, the violations on your record, and the date each violation will drop off.

If you prefer a physical copy, you can request an official driving record by visiting a Secretary of State branch office in person or by mail. The record costs a small fee (typically $5 to $10) and takes 5 to 10 business days by mail. Some offices offer same-day service if you visit in person.

Check your record regularly, especially if you have received recent tickets. Errors do happen—violations may be reported incorrectly or assigned the wrong point value. If you find an error, contact the court that issued the ticket to request a correction, then notify the Secretary of State once the court has updated the record.

What to do if you are approaching 12 points

If you are close to 12 points, your options are limited but real. First, check whether any violations on your record can be challenged or reduced. If you received a ticket you believe was unfair, you can request a hearing in traffic court. If the violation is dismissed or reduced to a non-moving violation, the points are removed.

Second, if you have not yet used your one-time traffic school option, use it on your highest-point violation. This removes one violation and can keep you under the threshold.

Third, avoid new violations at all costs. A single 3-point violation can push you from 11 points to 14 points and trigger suspension. If you are at 10 or 11 points, drive defensively and follow all traffic laws until the oldest violations drop off.

If you do reach 12 points and your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive during the suspension period. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. Some people pursue a hardship license (also called a restricted license) through the court, which allows limited driving for work or medical reasons, but this requires a court petition and is not granted automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Michigan counts violations from other states if you were driving a Michigan-registered vehicle or held a Michigan license at the time. The violation must be reported to Michigan through the Interstate Compact, which most states participate in. Check your driving record to see whether an out-of-state violation appears.

Can I get my license back before the suspension ends?

Not during the suspension period itself. However, you may be able to request a hardship license through the district court in your county, which allows limited driving for work, school, or medical treatment. You must file a petition and show the court that the suspension causes undue hardship. Approval is not may provide.

What happens if I get a ticket while suspended?

Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal charge. A first offense can result in fines up to $500, jail time up to 93 days, or both. A second offense within seven years carries higher penalties. The violation also adds points to your record once your license is reinstated, which can trigger another suspension.

How long does it take to reinstate my license after suspension ends?

You can reinstate your license when ready after the suspension period ends, as long as you pay the reinstatement fee and pass the vision test at a Secretary of State branch office. Most offices can complete reinstatement the same day. If you explore by mail, allow 5 to 10 business days.

If I move to another state, do Michigan points follow me?

Your Michigan driving record remains in Michigan's system. If you obtain a license in another state, that state will typically request your driving history from Michigan as part of the process. Points do not automatically transfer, but serious violations like DUI may be reported to your new state and affect your new license.