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 based on traffic violations you receive. When your point total hits 12 or higher within any rolling two-year window, the state automatically suspends your license. This is not a warning or a fine — it is a mandatory suspension that prevents you from driving legally until you complete the reinstatement process.

The suspension takes effect about 10 days after the Secretary of State mails you a notice. You cannot drive during this time, even with a valid license card in your wallet. If you drive on a suspended license in Michigan, you face criminal charges, fines up to $500, and possible jail time.

Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the ticket. This means a violation from January 2023 will stop counting toward your total in January 2025, even if you paid it months later.

Key Takeaways

  • Michigan suspends your license when you accumulate 12 or more points within any two-year rolling period.
  • Points are assigned based on the type of violation — speeding 1–5 mph over the limit is 1 point, while reckless driving is 6 points.
  • Points expire two years from the violation date, not from when you paid the ticket or went to court.
  • You can check your current point total through the Secretary of State's website or by calling their customer service line.
  • Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Michigan with fines and possible jail time.

How Michigan assigns points to different violations

Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. Michigan's point system is tiered: minor infractions like speeding 1–5 mph over the limit cost 1 point, while serious violations like reckless driving or driving under the influence cost 6 points. A single serious violation can put you halfway to suspension.

Here are the most common violations and their point values:

  • 1 point: Speeding 1–5 mph over the limit, improper lane change, failure to yield
  • 2 points: Speeding 6–10 mph over the limit, following too closely, improper turn
  • 3 points: Speeding 11–15 mph over the limit, reckless driving (in some cases), driving with an expired license
  • 4 points: Speeding 16+ mph over the limit, hit and run with property damage
  • 6 points: Reckless driving, driving under the influence (DUI), driving with a suspended or revoked license

If you receive multiple violations in a short time, the points add up quickly. Two speeding tickets 6–10 mph over the limit (2 points each) plus a failure to yield (1 point) puts you at 5 points — already halfway to suspension.

The two-year rolling window explained

Michigan does not count all points on your record forever. Instead, the state uses a rolling two-year window. This means the Secretary of State looks back exactly two years from today and counts only the violations that fall within that window.

For example, if you received a 3-point violation on January 15, 2023, and another 3-point violation on January 20, 2025, those two violations will never be counted together. On January 15, 2025, the first violation drops off your record, and only the second one counts. But if you received the second violation on January 10, 2025 — five days before the first one expired — both would count together.

This rolling window is why the date of the violation matters more than the date you paid the ticket. If you received a ticket in March 2023 but did not pay it until September 2023, the two-year clock still started in March 2023. The violation will stop counting in March 2025, regardless of when you settled it.

What happens when you reach 12 points

When your point total reaches 12 or more within a two-year period, the Secretary of State sends you a suspension notice by mail. The notice includes the suspension start date, which is typically about 10 days after the letter is mailed. You have no opportunity to contest the suspension based on points alone — it is automatic once you hit 12.

The length of your first suspension depends on your age and driving history. For most drivers, a first suspension lasts 30 days. Drivers under 21 may face longer suspensions, and repeat offenders face longer periods as well. The Secretary of State's notice will specify your exact suspension length.

During the suspension, you cannot legally drive. This includes driving to work, to the store, or to court. Driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor in Michigan, punishable by fines of $100 to $500 and up to 90 days in jail for a first offense. A second or subsequent offense within seven years can result in fines up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail.

How to check your current point total

You can find out how many points are on your Michigan driving record through the Secretary of State's official website. Go to michigan.gov/sos, select "Driver and Vehicle Services," and look for the option to check your driving record. You will need your driver's license number and personal information to log in.

Alternatively, you can call the Secretary of State's customer service line at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424). A representative can tell you your current point total and explain which violations are counting toward your total. They can also tell you when each violation will drop off your record.

Checking your record is free and does not affect your license status. Many drivers check their record after receiving a ticket to understand how close they are to suspension.

Reinstatement after a suspension

Once your suspension period ends, you cannot straightforward start driving again. You must complete a reinstatement process with the Secretary of State before your license is active.

For a suspension based on points, reinstatement typically requires paying a reinstatement fee (usually $125 to $200, depending on the reason for suspension) and submitting proof of financial responsibility — typically an SR-22 form from your insurance company. An SR-22 is a certificate that proves you carry the minimum liability insurance required by Michigan law. Your insurance company files this form directly with the Secretary of State at no extra cost beyond your regular premium.

After you pay the fee and your insurance company files the SR-22, the Secretary of State will mail you a new license or a notice that your suspension has been lifted. This process usually takes one to two weeks. You should not drive until you receive confirmation that your suspension has been removed.

Reducing points through traffic school

Michigan allows drivers to reduce points on their record by completing a driver improvement course (sometimes called traffic school). If you complete an approved course, you can reduce up to 4 points from your record, but only once every 12 months and only if you have not had a suspension in the past 12 months.

Not all violations can be reduced through traffic school. Serious violations like DUI, reckless driving, or driving with a suspended license cannot be removed this way. Additionally, you must complete the course before your suspension takes effect — once you are suspended, traffic school will not prevent the suspension or shorten it.

Approved driver improvement courses are offered online and in person throughout Michigan. The cost varies but typically ranges from $20 to $50. You can find approved providers through the Secretary of State's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my license back early if I have a job that requires driving?

Michigan does not offer early reinstatement for employment reasons. However, you may be able to obtain a restricted license (also called a work permit) that allows you to drive only to work, school, or court during your suspension. You must request this through the Secretary of State and provide proof of employment or enrollment. Not all suspensions may have access to for a restricted license.

Do points from out-of-state tickets count in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan is part of the Interstate Compact on Driver Licensing, Alcohol and Drug Monitoring. Violations you receive in other states are reported to Michigan and added to your driving record using Michigan's point system. A speeding ticket from Ohio or Indiana will count toward your Michigan suspension total.

What if I was not the one driving when I got the ticket?

If someone else was driving your vehicle, you can contest the ticket in traffic court and provide evidence that you were not the driver. However, the burden is on you to prove this. straightforward telling the court you were not driving is not enough — you may need a witness or other documentation. If you successfully contest the ticket, it will not be added to your record.

How long do points stay on my record after my suspension ends?

Points continue to count toward your total for two years from the violation date, even after your suspension ends. If you were suspended and then completed reinstatement, the points are still there and still counting. However, once two years have passed since each violation, that violation stops counting toward any future suspension.

Can I get a hardship license while suspended?

A hardship or restricted license is available in some cases, but it is not automatic. You must request one from the Secretary of State and demonstrate a genuine hardship — typically employment, medical treatment, or court-ordered obligations. The request must be made before or shortly after your suspension begins. Approval is not may provide and depends on your specific circumstances.