Michigan suspends your license when you reach 12 points within a two-year period
In Michigan, the Secretary of State tracks points on your driving record. Each traffic violation adds a certain number of points. When your total reaches 12 points in any two-year rolling window, the state automatically suspends your license. This is not a warning or a fine — it is a legal suspension that prevents you from driving legally until you complete the reinstatement process.
The two-year window is important: points from violations older than two years stop counting toward your total. So if you got 8 points in January 2023 and 5 points in January 2025, only the 2025 points count (the 2023 points have aged out). But if you get 8 points in January 2023 and 5 points in December 2024, you hit 13 points and face suspension because both violations fall within the two-year window.
Understanding which violations carry how many points helps you see how quickly suspension can happen. A single serious violation can put you close to the limit; a pattern of smaller ones will get you there just as fast.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspends automatically when you accumulate 12 points within any two-year rolling period in Michigan.
- Points from violations older than two years no longer count toward your total, but the state tracks them separately on your record.
- Common violations like speeding 1–5 mph over the limit cost 2 points, while reckless driving costs 6 points and a DUI costs 6 points.
- You must complete a driver improvement program and pay reinstatement fees to get your license back after suspension.
How points are assigned for common violations
Michigan assigns points based on the seriousness of the violation. Speeding violations are the most common and carry 2 to 4 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Speeding 1–5 mph over costs 2 points; 6–10 mph over costs 3 points; 11 mph or more over costs 4 points.
Other frequent violations include improper lane use (2 points), failure to yield (3 points), and following too closely (3 points). More serious violations like reckless driving, careless driving, and driving under the influence each carry 6 points. Hit-and-run and driving with a suspended or revoked license carry even more — 6 points each, though these often come with criminal charges as well.
Parking violations and equipment violations (like a broken taillight) do not add points to your driving record. Only moving violations — things you do while the car is in motion — count toward suspension.
What happens when you reach 12 points
The suspension is not when ready in the sense that you do not get pulled over and have your license taken on the spot. Instead, the Secretary of State mails you a notice of suspension. The notice tells you the date your suspension begins, usually 10 to 14 days after the letter is sent. You have the right to request a hearing before the suspension takes effect, but you must request it within the timeframe stated in the notice.
Once the suspension is in effect, driving is illegal. You cannot drive to work, to the store, or anywhere else. Driving on a suspended license is itself a violation that adds more points and can result in criminal charges, fines, and even jail time depending on how many times you have been suspended before.
The length of the suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended in the past. A first suspension typically lasts one year, though you may be able to reduce it by completing a driver improvement course.
How to reinstate your license after suspension
Reinstatement requires three things: completing a driver improvement program, paying reinstatement fees, and waiting out the minimum suspension period. The driver improvement program is a classroom or online course that teaches safe driving practices. You must complete it before you can reinstate, and you must pay for it yourself — the cost varies by provider but typically ranges from $100 to $200.
Reinstatement fees charged by the Secretary of State are separate from the course cost. These fees also vary but are usually $100 to $300. You pay both the course provider and the state before your license is restored.
After you have completed the course and paid the fees, you must wait until your suspension period ends before you can actually drive again. You cannot shorten the suspension by paying more or by taking the course early — the calendar date matters.
Points that fall off your record over time
Points do not stay on your record forever, but they stay much longer than the two-year suspension window. For the purpose of suspension, only points from the past two years count. However, for insurance purposes and for future suspensions, points remain on your record for much longer — typically seven years from the violation date.
This means that even after your suspension ends and you get your license back, old points still exist on your record. If you get new violations, those old points can push you toward another suspension. The two-year rolling window resets with each new violation, so a violation from three years ago does not count toward suspension, but a violation from 18 months ago does.
Violations that can suspend your license when ready
Some violations do not wait for you to accumulate 12 points. Certain serious offenses trigger an administrative suspension that happens right away, separate from the point system. A DUI (driving under the influence) results in an when ready suspension of your license, even before you are convicted. The same is true for refusing a breath or blood test, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and certain reckless driving charges.
These administrative suspensions are handled differently than point-based suspensions. They often last longer and have stricter reinstatement requirements, sometimes including an ignition interlock device (a machine that prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath).
How to avoid reaching 12 points
The most direct way to avoid suspension is to avoid violations. But if you do receive a ticket, you have options. You can pay the fine and accept the points, or you can contest the ticket in traffic court. If you win in court, the violation is dismissed and no points are added.
Michigan also offers a Driver Improvement Program that allows you to remove up to 4 points from your record once every 24 months, but only if you have not used this option in the past 24 months and you do not have a suspended or revoked license. The course costs money and takes time, but it can keep you below the 12-point threshold if you are close.
Checking your driving record regularly helps you know where you stand. You can request your record from the Secretary of State's office online or by mail. Knowing your point total lets you make informed decisions about contesting tickets or taking a driver improvement course before suspension happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work or to court while my license is suspended?
No. A suspension means you cannot drive for any reason. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense. Some states offer "work permits" that allow limited driving, but Michigan does not have this option for point-based suspensions. You must use other transportation.
Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward Michigan suspension?
Yes. If you get a ticket in another state and it is reported to Michigan, those points are added to your Michigan record and count toward the 12-point threshold. The point value may differ from what Michigan assigns for the same violation, but the violation will be recorded.
What if I complete a driver improvement course — does it erase my points?
A driver improvement course removes up to 4 points from your record, but only once every 24 months and only if you have not already used this option recently. It does not erase all your points, and you must take the course before your suspension takes effect to prevent it. After suspension, you must take the course as part of reinstatement, but that course does not remove additional points.
How long does a suspension stay on my record?
The suspension itself is a separate record item that stays on your driving history. For insurance purposes, a suspension can affect your rates for years. Points from the violations that caused the suspension stay on your record for seven years from the violation date.
Can I get my suspension reduced or removed early?
No. The suspension period is set by law based on whether it is your first, second, or subsequent suspension. You cannot pay extra fees or take additional courses to shorten it. You must wait until the calendar date when the suspension ends.