License reinstatement hearings

Check your driver’s license status and open suspensions through your online Secretary of State account, which you may access through Online Services under the "Driver’s License and ID" section.

Once in your account, locate your driver’s license information. If your license number is printed in red, your license may be expired, restricted, suspended, and/or revoked. For additional details about your license status, select “More” from the menu to view open holds and purchase a copy of your driving record.

If you are eligible for reinstatement, you may be able to pay your reinstatement fee through your online Secretary of State account.

If you need to apply for a hearing, create or log into your Driver Appeal Integrated System (DAIS) account. Or, complete and submit a Hearing Request Application by mail or fax.

Go to Online Services

Go to DAIS

Hearing Request Application

A hearing isn't required in all cases. Depending on the licensing sanction, violation and/or conviction, other steps may be necessary to reinstate your license.

To check the status of your license, create or log into your Secretary of State online account.

Go to Online Services

Michigan law allows for a driver reexamination based upon one or more of the following criteria:

• You have received tickets while on probation.
• The Secretary of State has reason to believe that you cannot operate a motor vehicle safely because of a mental or physical condition.
• You have been involved in a fatal crash.
• You have been involved in three or more traffic crashes within a two-year period where the crash report indicates you were at fault.
• You have accumulated 12 or more points within a two-year period.
• You have been convicted of violating the restrictions, terms or conditions of your license.

If you are scheduled for a driver assessment reexamination, you will receive a Notice to Appear telling you when and where to go for a reexamination. Your reexamination will include time for the driver assessment analyst to review your driver record and discuss your driving behavior with you. You may be required to pass vision and knowledge tests as well as an on-road performance test. You may also be required to provide a medical or vision statement for review.

At the conclusion of your driver assessment reexamination, your license may be unaffected, or it may be restricted, suspended or revoked depending on a number of factors. These factors include the type of violation or unsafe driving behavior involved, your driver record, and your willingness to comply with assessment recommendations and requirements. If you are approved for re-licensure, you may be required to pay the appropriate licensing and reinstatement fees.

Information on license restoration

The reinstatement of a revocation/denial because of an ignition interlock violation may be appealed to the Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight within 14 days of the effective date of the reinstatement by submitting a Request for hearing – BAIID online or by mail.

An additional High BAC suspension because of an interlock violation isn't appealable to the department.

Request for a hearing - BAIID

Go to DAIS

Local courts notify the Michigan Department of State to suspend the license of anyone who fails to appear in court (FAC) or fails to comply with a court judgment (FCJ) for certain violations. FAC and FCJ holds must be resolved directly with the court(s) of conviction. In many cases, a fine may be due and will need to be paid to the court.

To check for FAC or FCJ holds on your license through Online Services:

1. Create or log into your online Secretary of State account.
2. Locate your driver’s license information on your account page and select “More” from the menu.
3. Select the link to View Open FAC/FCJs.

A list of all suspensions should appear; however, the amounts owed to the courts won't be listed. Contact the convicting court for the amounts and additional information.

After resolving a FAC/FCJ hold, the court will transmit a receipt to our department.

Go to Online Services

If you have previously served a suspension/restriction of similar duration in the state where the conviction occurred, you may request a driver's license appeal hearing to waive all or part of the Michigan suspension/restriction.

If you believe you are eligible to have your suspension/restriction waived, put your request for evaluation in writing and send the following:

• Proof of out-of-state suspension/restriction (from and through dates)
• Proof of living in that state during the period of suspension/restriction. This may include rent receipts, employment records, utility bills, military records, etc.
• Proof of out-of-state license at the time of the conviction in question
• Proof that you didn't have a Michigan license during the suspension period

Follow the steps listed previously to complete and submit a Hearing Request Application.

Virtual hearings are conducted at various locations throughout the state. If you are scheduled for a virtual hearing, all documentation must be submitted in advance.

Hearing Request Application

Basic Driver Improvement Courses are courses offered by sponsors approved by the State of Michigan. Passing a BDIC permits drivers with an opportunity to avoid points on their record and the ticket information from being sent to insurance companies. You will receive a letter in the mail if you are eligible for this program.

Search for an approved BDIC provider through "Driver Education and Testing Businesses" under the "Business Services" section of our Online Services. Courses are offered online and in person.

Go to Online Services

Information on license restoration

Contact the Michigan Department of Treasury to arrange payments.

A suspension is for a definite period and carries a "from" and "through" date. When the "through" date is reached, you only need to pay the reinstatement fee for re-licensure if no additional violations occurred during the period of suspension. If the reinstatement fee isn't paid, your driver's license status isn't valid.

Restrictions or suspensions may also be "indefinite" and won't terminate until approved for re-licensure by the department or a court. For example, if an indefinite suspension is imposed by the department for a medical reason, the driver must submit a favorable medical statement for evaluation before re-licensure is authorized.

A revocation is defined as the termination of the operator's license and privilege to operate a motor vehicle. The driver is only eligible to reapply for license restoration after the expiration of one year following a first revocation, and after the expiration of five years for a subsequent revocation (if convicted within seven years of a prior revocation). There is no guarantee that the license will be returned after the minimum period of revocation. That depends on whether the person can be considered a safe driver based upon documentary evidence and testimony.