JANUARY 5, 2006

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminds citizens that all branch offices and the Office of the Great Seal will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15.

The Department of State mails notices to motorists 45 days before their driver's license or license plates expire to give them ample time to renew. Licenses and plates that expire on a day when state offices are closed, such as a holiday or weekend, can be renewed the following day without penalty.

Motorists renewing license plates can "skip the trip" to the branch office and do business by mail, or if eligible, by Internet or touch-tone telephone. Easy to follow instructions can be found with the renewal notice. License plate tabs will arrive by mail within seven business days.

With the exception of holidays, branch offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Smaller branch offices may close for the lunch hour. On Wednesdays most offices are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with those in city centers open 9 a.m.

to 5 p.m. PLUS offices and SUPER!Centers are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. SUPER!Centers also provide Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information visit the department Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.