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In most instances, getting your driver’s license reinstated in
Michigan
requires that you wait for the suspension period to end and pay a reinstatement fee. However, some suspensions are more complex than this and may require that you work through the issue with more than one state agency. No one plans to lose their driver’s license. But if you do end up in that situation, you’re probably wondering how to get it back as soon as possible. Depending on the offense, your license could be suspended indefinitely—but in most cases, it takes 180 days to get it reinstated.
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Why you might need a license reinstatement in Michigan
There are a number of reasons why your license could be suspended or revoked by the
Michigan Secretary of State (SOS)
. Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol and failing to appear in court are common offenses resulting in a suspended license in Michigan
. Often, once the suspension period ends, you will still have restrictions placed on your license. Once you pay the required fees, the restricted license will allow you to drive, but only to and from work, school, community service, or drug and alcohol treatment centers. In certain cases, there will be an indefinite suspension period for offenses like failing to appear in court or not having proof of car insurance.
If you need to check your license status or find out if you need it reinstated in Michigan, you can do that on the
michigan.gov
website.How to get a license reinstatement in Michigan
To get your
Michigan driver’s license
reinstated, you’ll need to make sure you have paid all fines, including the $125 reinstatement fee
. It is also possible that you will have to schedule a hearing from the SOS by submitting a Request for Hearing Form
. Drug and alcohol-related offenses
If you are charged with an operating while intoxicated (OWI) offense, your license will be suspended. The penalty includes a 30 day suspension period where you cannot drive at all, a 150 day restricted license period, and after that, a $125 reinstatement fee.
If your BAC was .17 or higher at the time of your OWI offense, this is considered a high BAC OWI, and there are more penalties. With this offense, you will not be allowed to drive for 45 days, and before you can get a restricted license, you must install a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) in your vehicle.
After 10.5 months of using the BAIID and complying with the restricted driving rules, you’ll pay the $125 fee and be able to get your license reinstated.
Point suspensions
If your license accumulates 12 or more points you will need to have a driver’s license reexamination. It is not guaranteed that the Secretary of State will suspend your license if you have 12 or more points on your license, but there will be a $45 reinstatement fee if they do.
Court suspensions
Failing to appear in court will put you at risk of having your license suspended. 28 days after the missed court date, you will receive a notice warning you of the penalties and urging you to resolve the issue. You will have 14 days to appear in court. Otherwise, the Secretary of State will be notified, and your license will be suspended immediately and indefinitely.
Revocations
If you have multiple or more severe offenses, the Secretary of State could revoke your license. You will have to apply for a driver’s license restoration hearing by making a request to the Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight with the Secretary of State. After that, what is required of you will depend on the offenses on your record. The fee to reinstate a revoked license in Michigan is $125.
Key Takeaway For most cases, your license will be reinstated as long as you pay all the necessary fees and take care of any court-related issues.
How to get a hardship license in Michigan
Having your right to drive taken from you is a stressful situation for multiple reasons. Luckily, you may have the option to apply for a
Michigan hardship license
if you have extenuating circumstances where the license suspension takes a major toll on you or your family. You will not be able to obtain a hardship license if you have 24 or more points on your license or your license was suspended due to refusing a chemical test. You can find additional exemptions from a hardship license on the
Michigan Secretary of State's website
. If you do not fall under those categories, you can apply for a restoration appeal through the Circuit Court
. Use the
State Court Administrative Office’s
approved form petitions to submit your restoration appeal. The petition can be filed with your local Secretary of State unless it is an implied-consent appeal, in which case it should be filed in the county where you were arrested. When can you apply for a hardship license?
If you are not granted a restricted driver’s license at your restoration appeal, you can file an appeal with the circuit court. This essentially gives you a second shot at proving your need for a driver’s license.
The appeal must be filed within 63 days from the final decision made by the Secretary of State. If you have an extenuating circumstance, the court may grant you up to 182 days to file the appeal.
What is an SR-22 certificate?
In Michigan, drivers with serious violations on their record may be required to carry an SR-22 certificate. This is sometimes referred to as “SR-22 insurance” although its main purpose is to prove that you comply with Michigan’s minimum liability insurance laws.
- An at-fault accident without adequate insurance
- Speedingor racing
- Many points on your license
- Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) or Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI)
You will be able to purchase the certificate through your insurance provider and will have to pay a small fee. From there, your insurance premium will be increased significantly.
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