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

Michigan's Secretary of State uses a points system to track traffic violations. Every moving violation you're convicted of adds points to your driving record. When those points hit 12 within any two-year window, your license is automatically suspended. The suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days for a first offense, but can extend longer depending on your history and the violations involved.

Points stay on your record for two years from the conviction date, not from when you were ticketed. This means a violation from two years and one month ago no longer counts toward the 12-point threshold. Understanding which violations cost how many points helps you see how close you are to suspension and what a single ticket might trigger.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license suspends automatically when you accumulate 12 points within any two-year period, with a minimum 30-day suspension for a first offense.
  • Points range from 2 points for minor violations like speeding 1–5 mph over the limit, to 6 points for reckless driving or driving with a suspended license.
  • Points expire two years from your conviction date, so violations older than two years no longer count toward the 12-point total.
  • A second suspension within seven years triggers a mandatory one-year suspension, and a third suspension within ten years results in a permanent revocation unless you petition for reinstatement.

How many points each violation costs

Michigan assigns points based on how serious the violation is. Speeding violations are the most common and cost between 2 and 6 points depending on how far over the limit you were going. Speeding 1–5 mph over costs 2 points; 6–10 mph over 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.

Other common violations include reckless driving (6 points), careless driving (3 points), improper lane change (2 points), failure to yield (3 points), and running a red light or stop sign (3 points). Driving with a suspended or revoked license adds 6 points and is treated as a serious offense. Leaving the scene of an accident costs 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) or operating while impaired (OWI) is handled separately and can lead to suspension even without reaching 12 points.

What happens when you hit 12 points

The Secretary of State's office sends you a notice by mail when your record reaches 12 points. The notice tells you the suspension date, which is usually 10 days after the notice is mailed. You cannot drive legally starting on that date. The first suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days, but you may be able to request a hearing to challenge the suspension if you believe the conviction was wrong or the points were calculated incorrectly.

During the suspension, driving is illegal. You cannot get a temporary permit or hardship license just because you've been suspended for points—those are only available in certain other suspension situations. You must wait out the full suspension period before you can restore your license by paying a reinstatement fee (currently $125) and visiting a Secretary of State office.

Second and third suspensions carry harsher penalties

If you accumulate 12 more points within seven years of your first suspension, you face a mandatory one-year suspension. This is much longer than the 30-day minimum for a first offense and cannot be shortened. A third suspension within ten years of the first suspension results in permanent revocation of your license. Permanent revocation means your license is cancelled and you must petition the Secretary of State for reinstatement—a process that requires showing you've reformed your driving habits and typically takes months.

These escalating penalties exist because repeat point accumulation shows a pattern of unsafe driving. The state uses them to remove dangerous drivers from the road for longer periods. Even after you've served a suspension, new violations continue to add points, so it's possible to rack up another 12 points quickly if you don't change your driving behavior.

How to check your current point total

You can request a copy of your driving record from the Michigan Secretary of State online, by mail, or in person at any branch office. The record shows every conviction on your license, the date of conviction, and the points assigned to each violation. Checking your record is the only way to know your exact point total and which violations are still counting toward the 12-point threshold.

Many people don't realize how many points they have until they receive the suspension notice. Checking your record before you get another ticket lets you understand how much room you have left. If you're close to 12 points, even a minor violation could trigger suspension.

Points do not disappear after two years—they just stop counting

A common misunderstanding is that points "fall off" your record after two years. They don't. The conviction stays on your driving record permanently. What happens is that points stop counting toward the 12-point suspension threshold after two years from the conviction date. Your record still shows the violation, and it can still affect your insurance rates or be used in court if you're charged with a new offense.

This distinction matters if you're trying to stay below 12 points. A violation from 18 months ago still counts; one from 25 months ago does not. The two-year window is measured from conviction date, not ticket date, so if you were convicted six months after being ticketed, the two-year clock started at conviction.

What you cannot do during a suspension

During a points suspension, you cannot legally drive for any reason—not to work, not to the store, not to a medical appointment. Driving while suspended is itself a violation that adds 6 points to your record and can result in criminal charges. If you're caught driving during suspension, you face fines, possible jail time, and a longer suspension period.

You also cannot get a hardship license or work permit during a points suspension. Those are only available for certain other types of suspensions (like those related to child support or medical conditions). Your only option is to wait out the suspension period or request a hearing to challenge whether the suspension was correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license while suspended for points?

No. Hardship licenses are only available for suspensions related to child support arrears, medical conditions, or certain other non-traffic reasons. Points suspensions do not may have access to. You must wait out the full suspension period before you can restore your license.

What if I get a ticket while I'm already suspended?

Driving while suspended adds 6 points to your record and is a criminal offense. If you're convicted, those 6 points count toward a new suspension cycle. You could face jail time and fines in addition to the extended suspension. This is why it's critical not to drive during a suspension period.

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

Yes, if you were convicted in another state, Michigan counts those points under its own point scale. The violation is converted to the Michigan equivalent and points are added to your record. This applies to most states due to the Interstate Compact on Driver Licenses, though a few states have different reporting rules.

Can I request a hearing to stop the suspension?

You can request a hearing to challenge whether the points were calculated correctly or whether a conviction should have been recorded. However, a hearing does not automatically stop the suspension—it only reviews whether the Secretary of State followed the rules correctly. If the points are accurate, the suspension stands.

How much does it cost to restore my license after suspension?

The reinstatement fee is currently $125. You must pay this fee and visit a Secretary of State office in person to restore your license. You cannot restore it online or by mail. The fee is separate from any fines you may have owed for the original violations.