What you need to submit to get your Michigan license back
To reinstate your Michigan driver's license, you file a Request for Reinstatement form with the Secretary of State. The form itself is straightforward, but what you attach to it depends on why your license was suspended or revoked in the first place. Michigan does not have a single reinstatement process — the documents and fees change based on whether you lost your license for unpaid traffic fines, a drug conviction, a medical issue, or another reason.
The Secretary of State's office will not process your request until you have met the underlying requirement that caused the suspension. If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine, you must pay it first. If it was suspended for a drug conviction, you must complete a substance abuse program. If it was suspended for medical reasons, you need a doctor's clearance. Filing the form before you have resolved the original issue will delay your reinstatement.
Once you have met that requirement, you gather the proof, complete the form, and submit it by mail or in person at a Secretary of State office. Processing takes roughly two to four weeks, though it can be longer if documents are missing or unclear.
Key Takeaways
- You must resolve the reason your license was suspended before filing — paying fines, completing a program, or getting medical clearance — or your request will be delayed.
- The Request for Reinstatement form is available on the Michigan Secretary of State website and must be submitted by mail or in person at a branch office.
- You will need to include proof that you have met the requirement (a receipt, completion certificate, or doctor's letter) along with the reinstatement fee, which varies by reason for suspension.
- Processing typically takes two to four weeks; you can check the status of your request by contacting the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division.
Finding and completing the Request for Reinstatement form
The Request for Reinstatement form (also called the Reinstatement process) is available on the Michigan Secretary of State website under the Driver's License section. You can read it as a PDF, print it, and fill it out by hand, or you can request a copy by mail or pick one up at any Secretary of State office.
The form asks for your name, date of birth, driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended or revoked, and the date the suspension began. You will also declare that you have completed whatever requirement caused the suspension — paid the fine, finished the program, or obtained medical clearance. Be accurate with dates and details; errors can slow processing.
Do not leave sections blank. If a question does not explore to you, write "N/A" so the office knows you read it rather than skipped it. Sign and date the form before you submit it.
Documents to include based on your suspension reason
What you attach to your form depends entirely on why your license was suspended. The Secretary of State's office will tell you what is needed when you contact them or when you look up your suspension record online through the Michigan Secretary of State website.
For unpaid traffic fines or court costs: Include a receipt or letter from the court showing the fine or cost has been paid in full. The court will issue this when you pay; ask for a copy to keep for your records.
For a drug conviction or substance abuse-related suspension: Include a certificate of completion from the substance abuse program you attended. The program will issue this when you finish; some programs send it directly to the Secretary of State, but confirm this with the program before you submit your own copy.
For a medical suspension: Include a letter from your doctor stating that you are medically fit to drive. The letter should be dated within the last 30 days and signed by a licensed physician. Some conditions require a specific form; the Secretary of State will tell you if yours does.
For a suspension due to points or a license suspension from another state: Contact the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division to find out what documents are needed, as requirements vary.
Reinstatement fees and payment
Michigan charges a reinstatement fee that varies by the reason for suspension. Fees typically range from $125 to $300, though the exact amount depends on whether the suspension was for a traffic violation, a drug-related offense, or another cause. The Secretary of State's website lists the fee for your specific situation.
You can pay the fee by check or money order made out to the State of Michigan, or by credit card if you submit your request in person at a Secretary of State office. Include the payment with your mailed process, or bring it with you if you go to an office. Do not send cash.
If you cannot afford the fee, contact the Secretary of State's office to ask about payment plans or fee waivers. Some situations may have access to for reduced fees, though this is not common.
Where and how to submit your process
You can submit your reinstatement request by mail or in person. By mail: Send your completed form, supporting documents, and fee to the Michigan Secretary of State, Driver Assessment and Appeal Division, 430 W. Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Use certified mail with return receipt if you want proof of delivery.
In person: Visit any Secretary of State office during business hours. Bring your completed form, documents, and payment. The office will review your paperwork on the spot and tell you if anything is missing. If everything is in order, you will receive a receipt showing your process was received.
Submitting in person is faster because you get when ready feedback and can correct errors before leaving. If you submit by mail and documents are missing, the office will contact you, which adds time to the process.
What happens after you submit
After the Secretary of State receives your process, they review it to confirm you have met the requirement for reinstatement. If your documents are complete and correct, they process your request and mail you a new license or a notice that your suspension has been lifted. This typically takes two to four weeks.
If documents are missing or unclear, the office will contact you by phone or mail and ask you to send the missing information. Once you send it, processing starts over, adding another two to four weeks. This is why submitting in person or using certified mail is helpful — you know when ready whether everything is acceptable.
You can check the status of your request by calling the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division at 517-335-9800 or by visiting a Secretary of State office. Have your driver's license number ready when you call.
If your reinstatement is denied
The Secretary of State may deny your reinstatement request if you have not actually met the requirement for reinstatement, if your documents do not prove you have met it, or if there is a hold on your record from another agency (such as the court or the Department of Health and Human Services).
If your request is denied, the office will send you a letter explaining why. Read it carefully. If the reason is something you can fix — such as needing a more recent doctor's letter or additional proof of payment — you can submit a new process with corrected documents. If the reason is that you have not met the underlying requirement, you must complete that requirement before you can reapply.
If you believe the denial was an error, you have the right to request a hearing before the Secretary of State's office. The denial letter will explain how to request a hearing and the important date for doing so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement process is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the Secretary of State officially lifts the suspension. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines and criminal charges. Wait until you receive written confirmation that your license has been reinstated.
What if I moved and the Secretary of State cannot reach me?
Update your address with the Secretary of State before you submit your reinstatement process. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a branch office. If the office tries to contact you and your address is wrong, your process may be delayed or denied.
Do I have to take a written test or road test to get my license back?
Not usually. Reinstatement restores your existing license; you do not retake the written or road test unless your license has been expired for more than a certain period or unless the Secretary of State specifically requires it as part of your reinstatement. The office will tell you if a test is required.
How long does reinstatement take if I submit in person versus by mail?
In-person submission is faster because the office reviews your documents when ready and tells you if anything is missing. You can correct it on the spot. By mail, if documents are missing, the office contacts you, you send corrections, and processing restarts — adding two to four weeks. Both routes take roughly two to four weeks total once everything is correct.
What if I cannot pay the reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division at 517-335-9800 to ask about payment plans or fee reductions. Some situations may have access to for lower fees, though availability varies. You cannot submit your process without paying the fee, so confirm your options before you explore.