Your Michigan
driver’s license can be suspended for anything from reckless driving and evading the police to altering information on your car’s registration—and driving with a suspended license means even longer suspensions (and higher car insurance
rates). When you think of getting your driver’s license suspended, your brain may jump to drunk driving. Sure, operating a vehicle while under the influence is the most common reason for suspension—but there are plenty of other ways to get your license suspended in Michigan. That’s why it’s important to be aware of your state’s laws!
Don’t have time to read the entire Michigan Vehicle Code? We’ve got you covered. Here, we'll uncover the most common ways your license can be suspended in Michigan.
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What’s the difference between a license suspension and a revocation?
License suspension and license revocation are not the same. A license suspension is when your driving privileges are paused for a set amount of time, usually days or months. Having your license revoked, on the other hand, means your license is taken away completely for one to five years.
After the period of suspension, all you have to do is apply for license reinstatement
, schedule a hearing with the Michigan Department of State
, and pay the $125 reinstatement fee. After a period of license revocation, however, you’ll have to reapply for a license altogether, including retaking the driving exam. The consequences you’ll deal with after an offense depend on your specific violation, driving record, and post-violation conduct.
MORE: 9 common reasons your license can be revoked
What can your license be suspended for in Michigan?
There are a few obvious ways you can earn yourself a suspended driver’s license, of course, but there are a few sneaky ones, too. Here’s a look at the top 12 ways you can lose your driving privileges in the Great Lakes State.
1. Failing to pay a fine
If you’re unfortunate enough to get a traffic ticket in Michigan, the ticket itself should indicate how and when to pay the fine. It’s crucial to read the fine print because missing the deadline could result in a suspended license.
Think you already missed the deadline? Look for “FCJ Suspension” listed on your driving record to see if you owe any court fees.
2. Failing to appear in court
Speaking of court, appearing in court for Michiganders is essential. Make sure you reschedule work and any other obligations on your court date because failing to show up can lead to suspended driving privileges.
If you do miss a court date, you’ll get a notice within 28 days notifying you of possible penalties. You’ll have 14 days to remedy the situation before the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) suspends your license indefinitely.
MORE: 5 driving violations that could land you in jail
3. Buying alcohol with a fake ID
Not all offenses that lead to license suspension involve driving—take using a fake ID to buy alcohol, for example. For this offense, you can expect a 90-day license suspension.
On a similar note, violating Michigan’s open container law
for a second or third time may also lead to a license suspension. 4. Altering or forging a vehicle document
Forging any legal document is a bad idea, but attempting to alter a form related to your motor vehicle—like fudging the year on your Michigan registration
—can lead to a one-year license suspension. 5. Being convicted of reckless driving
Reckless driving in Michigan is more than a moving violation—it comes with a misdemeanor charge. On top of a possible 90-day license suspension, a reckless driving charge could earn you up to 93 days in jail, six points against your license, and a $500 fine at a minimum.
MORE: What’s distracted driving? (And why you should care)
6. Accumulating 12 or more violation points
Michigan keeps tabs on your driving history with a driver's license points
system. In general, minor violations result in one to three points, and more serious offenses add four to six points to your record. Amassing 12 or more points within two years could lead to your license getting restricted, suspended, or revoked—and it’ll cause your insurance rates to skyrocket. 7. Driving with a BAC over 0.08
According to Michigan’s Impaired Driving Law
, there’s a whole list of consequences you could face if you drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or greater—and one of them is license suspension. The length of suspension depends on the circumstances, but if your BAC is below 0.17 and it’s your first offense, you can expect an Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) charge and a license suspension of up to 180 days. With a higher BAC or repeat offenses, the stakes get much higher. Michigan's DUI laws
require the installation of a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) in your vehicle for a certain amount of time before your license can get reinstated. 8. Leaving the scene of an accident
No matter how much damage was done (or not done), leaving the scene of an accident is considered a hit-and-run in Michigan, and you’ll get hit with a license suspension for doing it. The more severe the damage, the longer the suspension period.
9. Fleeing from the police
Running from the police—especially in a high-speed chase—is illegal. Doing so in Michigan can result in a suspended driver’s license for one year, and you won’t be eligible for a restricted license during that time.
10. Refusing a Breathalyzer test
If you get pulled over and the officer wants to perform a Breathalyzer test, it’s best to just get it over with. Opting out means you are “refusing chemical testing,” which is considered a civil infraction. If you’re found guilty or fail to contest the charge, your license will be suspended for one year.
11. Driving while your license is already suspended or revoked
You could probably guess that it’s illegal in Michigan to be driving with a suspended or revoked license (DWLS/DWLR), but the penalties aren’t pretty. Driving without a valid license is a misdemeanor that carries the consequences of up to 93 days in jail and an even longer driver’s license suspension or revocation period.
12. Driving without Michigan car insurance
Almost every state has mandatory car insurance laws, but Michigan’s minimum insurance laws
are notoriously strict. Since Michigan is a no-fault state
, you’ll also need no-fault insurance to be street-legal. This includes the following: Property protection insurance (PPI)
Getting caught without proof of insurance
could lead to a 30-day license suspension in addition to a fine of up to $500 and/or one year in jail. “My past tickets were making it hard to find affordable insurance. With Jerry
, I went from paying $450/month to $273/month. They took care of everything—such a relief!” —Josephine R.
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