Michigan Driver Education

The state of Michigan recognizes the need for driver's education for teenage drivers. Many of these teenage drivers lack the familiarity and trustworthiness needed to make sensible decisions where driving is concerned, due to peer pressure, road conditions, or bad weather. While most states have in place similar laws requiring driver's education, many more need to adopt similar laws in addition to current laws. Teens should also be required to pass a state approved class that shows the consequences of drinking and driving and driving under the influence of drugs.

Michigan was the first state to require driver's education in order to receive a driver's license. It was also the first state to adopt a graduated licensing program. In Michigan, you must be at least 14 years and 8 months old in order to apply for your learner's permit. You will receive 24 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction before you can get your driver's license.

While you are driving with a learner's permit, you should only have a front seat passenger who is an adult and has a valid driver's license. Your parents will need to help you log 30 hours of driving time, and at least two need to be at night, so be prepared accordingly. Once this is complete, another 6 hours of classroom instruction will be received, and 20 more hours of driving practice. Then, the teen will move on to the next steps in the graduated program.

Why is my license suspended?
Our records show that you have not paid a driver responsibility assessment. Under the Driver Responsibility Law, MCL 257.732a(5), full payment must be received by the Michigan Department of Treasury or an installment agreement must be established within 60 days of the initial assessment. If not, the Michigan Department of State shall suspend the driving privileges until the assessment and any other required fees are paid.

I never received a Driver Responsibility fee notice.
As required by law, two notices are mailed to the address listed on your driving record. Likewise, the Order of Suspension for nonpayment of the Driver Responsibility fee is also mailed to the last known address on the driving record. You are required by law (MCL 257.315) to ensure your address is updated with the Michigan Department of State. If mail is returned or undeliverable, you are still responsible for the fee and your driving privileges may still be suspended.

How do I find out if my license is suspended?
Contact the Michigan Department of State Information Center at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424). Or, for only $8, you can purchase your own certified driving record payable by cash, check, or credit card (Discover only) at Secretary of State PLUS offices and SUPER!Centers. Visit www.Michigan.gov/sos for a location near you.

What do I need to do to lift my Driver Responsibility suspension?
Any unpaid assessments must be paid in full along with the driver's license reinstatement fee. Driver Responsibility fee payments are made to the Michigan Department of Treasury. The $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to the Michigan Department of State at any branch office before your driver's license can be reissued

Where do I pay the fees?
Driver Responsibility fees are paid to the Michigan Department of Treasury. The $125 reinstatement fee is paid to the Michigan Department of State. To find the branch office nearest you, visit the Michigan Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos and click on the "Branch Office Locator."

Can I establish an installment agreement even though my license is suspended?
Yes, although your driver's license will NOT be restored until your fees are paid in full.

Once I've paid my fees to Treasury, how long until my license is restored?
If paying by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) (preferred payment method), processing is within 7-10 days. Please pay the $125 reinstatement fee about 14 days after your EFT is processed.

Why do I have to pay a $125 reinstatement fee on top of the Driver Responsibility fee?
MCL 257.320e(1) states that a person whose operator's or chauffeur's license is suspended for failure to pay the Driver Responsibility fee (257.732a), shall pay a license reinstatement fee of $125 to the Michigan Department of State before a license is issued or returned to the person.

If I pay the Driver Responsibility fee, will that also take care of any other outstanding tickets?
No. The Driver Responsibility fee does not satisfy any fines or costs associated with the courts or other driver's licensing actions. Contact the Michigan Department of State Information Center at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424) for questions regarding other tickets or suspensions.

If I am unable to pay the Driver Responsibility fee, can I get a restricted license?
No. A restricted license is not available for a Driver Responsibility suspension. Only payment in full will terminate the suspension. Once terminated, a reinstatement fee of $125 is required before your driver's license can be reissued.

Can I appeal the suspension?
In accordance with MCL 257.322 and 257.323, there is no hardship appeal of the Driver Responsibility fee or Driver Responsibility suspension.

The court would not accept my proof of insurance. What can I do?
Disputes with a ticket or conviction should be directed to the court. However, the No Proof of Insurance (MCL 257.328) provision states in part:
An owner or operator of a motor vehicle who fails to produce evidence of insurance when requested to produce that evidence or who fails to have motor vehicle insurance is responsible for a civil infraction. If, before the appearance date on the citation, the person submits proof to the court that the motor vehicle had insurance at the time of the violation, the court shall not assess a fine or costs, the court shall not cause an abstract of the court record to be forwarded to the secretary of state, but, the court may assess a fee of not more than $25.

I don't believe I should have been ticketed. How do I now get the suspension removed?
A Driver Responsibility assessment is triggered by notification from the court. It means that a person was found guilty of or responsible for a certain offense or for receiving qualifying tickets totaling at least seven points. The Michigan Department of State does not have the authority to remove suspensions based on violations without an order from the court. Disputes regarding a ticket or conviction should be directed to the court.

I made payment arrangements but missed a payment (or two). Why am I suspended?
An Installment Agreement is a legally binding understanding that payment will be made as agreed and scheduled. Failure to make payments as established terminates the agreement. Consequently, in order to terminate the driver's license suspension, the Driver Responsibility fee must now be paid in full, along with the $125 reinstatement fee.

Can I pay the Driver Responsibility fee and the reinstatement fee at the same time?
No. The Driver Responsibility fee must be paid to the Michigan Department of Treasury (please allow 14 days for processing). The reinstatement fee must be paid to the Michigan Department of State at any branch office. However, driving privileges will not be restored until the Michigan Department of State receives confirmation from the Michigan Department of Treasury that the Driver Responsibility fee has been paid in full.

How are driver responsibility fee assessments determined?
There are two ways a person may be assessed a driver responsibility fee:

Category (1) requires a $100 assessment for persons reaching 7 qualifying points, and $50 for each additional qualifying point above 7.

Category (2) requires assessments of $1,000, $500, $200, or $150 for certain qualifying offenses.

What offenses qualify for driver responsibility assessment?
Offenses occurring in Michigan or another state with an incident date on or after October 1, 2003.

How are 7 or more qualifying points calculated?
Offenses received in Michigan and out-of-state with an incident date on or after October 2, 2003 that total 7 or more qualifying points within a two-year period will count toward the driver responsibility fee assessment. All points must result from incidents occurring after October 2, 2003.

Points for category (2) offenses do not count toward the 7 or more point assessments. For example: The (4) points for Operating While Impaired are not counted for subsection 1 assessments. The person would be assessed a $500 fee under category (2).

To summarize, qualifying offenses that are assessed a separate fee do not also count toward the 7 qualifying points.

Here are some examples of offenses that count towards the qualifying points: careless driving, drag racing, speeding, improper turn, following to close, disobeyed traffic control device, failed to yield, failed to signal or observe, unauthorized or improper use of lights, prohibited turn, drove wrong way on one-way street, drove left of center, etc.

How frequently will qualifying events be assessed?
Offenses are received once a week from the courts and will be assessed weekly. Points will be assessed once a year for drivers who incur 7 or more points within a two-year period.