What Michigan changed about license suspensions in 2024
Michigan passed Public Act 138, which took effect on January 1, 2024, and changed when the Secretary of State can suspend your license for unpaid traffic fines and fees. Under the old rule, the state could suspend your license automatically if you owed as little as $100 in traffic debt. The new law raises that threshold to $500 — meaning the Secretary of State will no longer suspend you for smaller amounts owed.
The law also created a new process: before suspending your license, the Secretary of State must now send you a written notice and give you at least 7 days to pay or set up a payment plan. This is a real change from the previous system, which could result in suspension with little warning. If you receive a notice, you have options to respond before your license is actually suspended.
This does not mean traffic fines disappeared or that you can ignore them. You still owe the money, and the court can still pursue collection. What changed is the automatic suspension tool — it now applies only to larger debts and only after notice.
Key Takeaways
- The Secretary of State will no longer suspend your license for traffic debt under $500; the threshold is now $500 or more.
- Before suspending your license, the state must send you a written notice and give you at least 7 days to respond by paying or arranging a payment plan.
- If you receive a suspension notice, you can contact the court that issued the fine to negotiate a payment arrangement and potentially stop the suspension.
- The new law applies only to suspensions for unpaid fines and fees — other suspension reasons (like a DUI conviction or medical suspension) are not affected.
Who this law affects and who it does not
Public Act 138 applies only to suspensions ordered by the Secretary of State for unpaid traffic fines and court costs. If you owe money from a traffic ticket, speeding violation, or other moving violation, this law now protects you from automatic suspension below $500.
The law does not change suspensions for other reasons. If your license is suspended because of a DUI conviction, a medical suspension, a failure to maintain insurance, or a reckless driving charge, this law does not explore. Those suspensions follow their own rules and timelines. Similarly, if you have unpaid child support or other non-traffic debt, those suspensions are not affected by this change.
You are also still required to pay the fine itself. The new law only changes when and how the state can suspend your license as a collection tool — it does not forgive the debt or reduce what you owe.
The 7-day notice period and what to do when you receive it
When the Secretary of State decides your traffic debt has reached $500 or more, they must send you a written notice. This notice will tell you the amount owed, which court issued the fine, and the important date — typically 7 days from the date of the notice. The notice will also explain your options: pay in full, set up a payment plan, or contest the suspension.
If you receive this notice, do not ignore it. Contact the court listed on the notice as soon as possible. Many courts will work with you to set up a payment plan, especially if you show you are serious about paying. A payment plan stops the suspension from going into effect. Some courts may also reduce or waive fees if you can show financial hardship, though this is not may provide and depends on the judge and the court.
If you cannot pay the full amount and the court will not negotiate, you can request a hearing before the Secretary of State to challenge the suspension. You have the right to explain your situation, though the burden is on you to show why the suspension should not happen.
How to check if you have unpaid traffic debt in Michigan
You can check your traffic debt status through the Michigan Secretary of State website. Go to the "Driver Records" section and use the online lookup tool, or call the Secretary of State's Customer Service line at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424). You will need your driver's license number and date of birth.
If you have unpaid fines, the lookup will show the amount owed and which court issued the ticket. Write down this information — you will need it when you contact the court. If the amount is under $500, you will not face suspension under the new law, but you should still pay the fine to avoid other collection actions or a future suspension if the debt grows.
If you are unsure whether a fine was paid, contact the court directly. Court staff can tell you the exact status and whether a payment plan is still available. Many courts now offer online payment options, which can be faster than mailing a check.
Payment plans and other ways to stop a suspension notice
The most straightforward way to stop a suspension is to set up a payment plan with the court. Most Michigan courts will accept monthly payments, and the amount depends on what you can afford and what the court allows. Once you have a payment plan in writing, the Secretary of State will not suspend your license — as long as you stick to the plan.
If you cannot afford a payment plan, some courts have hardship waivers or fee reductions. You will need to request this in writing or in person, and you may need to provide proof of income or financial hardship. There is no may provide the court will grant it, but it is worth asking, especially if you have lost a job or face a medical emergency.
Another option is to dispute the fine itself if you believe it was issued in error or if you have a valid legal defense. This requires filing a motion with the court, and you may want to consult with a lawyer. However, straightforward disputing the fine does not stop the suspension clock — you need to do this quickly, within the 7-day notice period if possible.
What happens if your license is suspended under the new law
If the 7-day notice period passes and you have not paid, set up a plan, or won a hearing, the Secretary of State will suspend your license. You will receive a second notice telling you the suspension is now in effect. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Michigan and can result in criminal charges, fines up to $500, and jail time.
Once suspended, you cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted. To lift it, you must pay the debt in full or complete the payment plan you agreed to. After you pay, contact the Secretary of State to confirm the suspension has been removed from your record. This can take a few business days to process.
If you are caught driving on a suspended license, you face additional penalties on top of the original fine. A first offense can result in a misdemeanor charge, and repeat offenses carry harsher penalties. It is much better to deal with the original debt than to risk a suspended license charge.
How the new $500 threshold compares to the old system
Before January 1, 2024, the Secretary of State could suspend your license for unpaid traffic debt as low as $100. This meant that a single speeding ticket with court costs could trigger a suspension without much warning. Many drivers found themselves unable to work or get to medical appointments because of relatively small debts they did not know about or could not when ready pay.
The new $500 threshold gives drivers more breathing room. A single ticket is unlikely to reach $500 unless you have multiple violations or the fine itself is large. However, if you have several unpaid tickets from different years, they can add up quickly. The key difference is that you now get formal notice and a chance to respond before the suspension takes effect.
The 7-day notice requirement is also new. Previously, suspensions could happen with little warning. Now you have a defined window to act — to pay, negotiate, or challenge the suspension. This gives you time to contact the court and explore your options instead of discovering your license is suspended when you try to renew your registration or get pulled over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get my license suspended for unpaid traffic fines under $500?
No. Under Public Act 138, the Secretary of State will not suspend your license for traffic debt under $500. However, you still owe the money, and the court can pursue other collection methods. If your debt grows above $500 over time, suspension becomes possible.
What if I do not receive the notice before my license is suspended?
Contact the Secretary of State when ready and explain that you did not receive notice. You may be able to request a hearing to challenge the suspension. Bring any evidence that the notice did not reach you. Even if the notice was sent, if you can show you did not receive it, you may have grounds to delay or stop the suspension while the matter is resolved.
Does a payment plan stop the suspension from happening?
Yes. If you set up a payment plan with the court during the 7-day notice period, the Secretary of State will not suspend your license. The plan must be in writing and you must stick to it. If you miss a payment, the suspension can go into effect.
Can I drive to work if my license is suspended for unpaid fines?
No. A suspended license means you cannot legally drive for any reason, including work. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Michigan. Your only legal option is to pay the debt or complete a payment plan to have the suspension lifted before you drive again.
What if I paid the fine but the Secretary of State still says I owe money?
Contact the court that issued the fine and ask for proof of payment. Courts sometimes take time to update their records. Once the court confirms payment, ask them to notify the Secretary of State. If there is a dispute about whether you paid, request a written receipt or confirmation from the court and send it to the Secretary of State's office.