What Michigan's New Suspension Law Does

Michigan passed Public Act 138 of 2023, which changed how the state handles license suspensions for certain violations. The law took effect on January 1, 2024. The main change: Michigan no longer suspends licenses for traffic debt alone — meaning unpaid fines, court costs, or restitution no longer automatically trigger a suspension. This applies to most traffic violations, misdemeanors, and some felonies.

However, the law does not eliminate all suspensions. Suspensions still happen for specific reasons: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving causing injury or death, habitual traffic offender status, and certain other serious violations. The state also still suspends licenses for medical reasons (like seizures or loss of consciousness) and for failing to maintain insurance.

If your license was suspended before January 1, 2024, solely because of unpaid traffic debt, you may be able to have that suspension removed. This is a separate process from paying the debt itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Michigan stopped suspending licenses for unpaid fines and court costs on January 1, 2024, under Public Act 138 of 2023.
  • Suspensions still occur for DUI, reckless driving causing injury, habitual traffic offender status, and failure to maintain insurance.
  • If your license was suspended only for traffic debt before the law took effect, you can request removal of that suspension through the Secretary of State.
  • Paying your traffic debt does not automatically restore your license; you must submit a separate request to the Secretary of State.
  • Suspensions for medical reasons, criminal convictions, and child support arrears remain in place under Michigan law.

Which Violations Still Result in Suspension Under the New Law

Even though traffic debt no longer causes suspension, Michigan still suspends licenses for serious driving violations. DUI convictions — including operating while intoxicated (OWI) — result in mandatory suspension. A first OWI conviction triggers a suspension of at least 6 months; a second conviction within 7 years results in at least 1 year; a third or subsequent conviction results in at least 1 year and up to lifetime revocation.

Reckless driving causing injury or death also leads to suspension. This applies when a driver is convicted of causing serious bodily injury or death through reckless operation of a vehicle. Habitual traffic offender (HTO) status is another reason: if you accumulate certain violations within a set timeframe, the Secretary of State can declare you a habitual offender and suspend your license for at least 1 year.

Failure to maintain no-fault auto insurance still triggers suspension. If you are caught driving without the required insurance coverage, the Secretary of State will suspend your license. Additionally, suspensions for child support arrears remain in effect — if you fall behind on court-ordered child support payments, your license can be suspended regardless of the new law.

How to Request Removal of a Pre-2024 Suspension for Traffic Debt

If your license was suspended before January 1, 2024, and the only reason was unpaid traffic fines, court costs, or restitution, you can request that the Secretary of State remove the suspension. You do not have to pay the debt first, though paying it may help your case.

Contact the Michigan Secretary of State Driver Assessment and Appeal Division by mail, phone, or in person. The mailing address is: Secretary of State, Driver Assessment and Appeal Division, 430 W. Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48933. The phone number is 517-335-0616. You can also visit a local Secretary of State office in person.

When you contact them, provide your driver's license number, your full name, date of birth, and a brief explanation that your suspension was based solely on traffic debt. The Secretary of State will review your record and, if the suspension meets the criteria under the new law, will remove it. This process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks by mail.

Suspensions That Remain Unchanged Under Michigan Law

The new law does not affect suspensions for medical reasons. If you report a seizure, loss of consciousness, or other medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely, the Secretary of State will suspend your license pending medical clearance. You will need to provide a statement from your doctor confirming that the condition no longer poses a risk before the suspension is lifted.

Criminal convictions other than traffic debt still result in suspension. This includes felony convictions, certain drug offenses, and crimes of violence. The length and terms of these suspensions depend on the specific conviction and are set by state law, not by the new act.

Suspensions for failure to appear in court also remain. If you miss a court date for a traffic or criminal matter, the court can order a license suspension. This suspension stays in place until you appear in court or resolve the underlying case. The new law does not change this.

What Happens If You Drive on a Suspended License

Driving with a suspended license in Michigan is a separate criminal offense. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of $100 to $500. A second offense within 7 years increases the penalty to up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $200 to $1,000. A third or subsequent offense within 7 years is a felony with penalties up to 2 years in prison and a fine of $500 to $2,000.

If you are stopped while driving on a suspended license, you will be cited and your vehicle may be impounded. Your insurance will likely be notified, which can result in higher premiums or cancellation of your policy. Even if your suspension was for traffic debt only and you believe it should have been removed under the new law, you are still legally required to stop driving until the suspension is formally lifted by the Secretary of State.

Paying Traffic Debt Does Not Automatically Restore Your License

A common mistake: paying off your traffic fines and court costs does not automatically remove your suspension. The debt and the suspension are handled by different parts of the system. Paying the debt satisfies your financial obligation to the court, but the Secretary of State must separately lift the suspension.

If you paid your traffic debt before January 1, 2024, and your license is still suspended, you still need to request removal through the Secretary of State. Send a letter or call the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division with your license number and a statement that your suspension was based on traffic debt. Include proof of payment if you have it. The Secretary of State will verify your record and remove the suspension if it qualifies under the new law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the new law mean I don't have to pay my traffic fines?

No. The law only stops the Secretary of State from suspending your license because of unpaid fines. You still owe the debt to the court. The court can pursue collection through other means, such as wage garnishment or tax refund intercept. Paying the debt is separate from having your suspension removed.

My license was suspended for DUI. Does the new law affect that?

No. DUI and OWI suspensions are not affected by Public Act 138. Those suspensions remain in place for the full term set by law. The new law applies only to suspensions based on traffic debt.

How long does it take to get my suspension removed after I request it?

By mail, the process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. If you visit a Secretary of State office in person, you may receive an answer the same day or within a few days. Calling the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division can also speed up the process if your case is straightforward.

What if I was declared a habitual traffic offender before 2024?

Habitual traffic offender status is not affected by the new law. Your suspension remains in place for the full term, which is at least 1 year. You can request a hearing to challenge the HTO information, but that is a separate process from the traffic debt suspension removal.

Can I get a restricted license while my suspension is being reviewed?

That depends on the reason for your suspension and your specific circumstances. If your suspension was for traffic debt only, you may be able to request a restricted license (for work, school, or medical purposes) while you wait for the full suspension to be removed. Contact the Secretary of State to ask about restricted license options for your situation.