OCTOBER 23, 2007

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today reminded residents heading south for the winter to renew their driver's licenses and plates before they leave Michigan.

"As you prepare for your trip to a warmer climate, remember to renew your licenses and plates so they don't expire while you're out of state," Land said. "It's one less thing you'll need to worry about during the winter, and it could save you from having to pay late fees."

People can renew plates for individually owned or leased cars, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles up to six months before they expire. They must renew at a Secretary of State branch office. Company-owned passenger plates cannot be renewed early.

To renew a driver's license early, residents need to bring the following items to a branch office:

• Driver's license
• Glasses or contact lenses if they are needed to drive

Residents must also pass a vision screening before the renewal can be processed.

Residents can also renew license plates online, by touch-tone telephone, mail or at a Self-Service Station up to 45 days before the plates expire. Online, touch-tone telephone and Self-Service Station renewals require the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which is printed on the renewal notice.

For more information on renewal options and other services, visit the Secretary of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.