Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License in Michigan

Like all states, Michigan may suspend or revoke your driving privileges for many reasons. If you drive with a suspended or revoked license, you may be charged with a crime. In some cases, you may even be charged with a felony.

Reasons for suspension or revocation

Your license may be suspended if you:

• are convicted of a felony, if a vehicle was used
• fail to stop at the scene of an accident involving injury
• do not appear for court or to answer a citation for certain crimes, or
• fail to appear for a child support hearing or don't comply with a child support order or repayment plan. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.319(2-3), § 257.321a(3), §247.321c(1).)

It may also be suspended if you accumulate a certain number of points on your driving record. You accumulate points through speeding tickets and other driving offenses. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.320a(1).) You may be given a hearing when you accumulate nine points. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.320a(6).)

There are many other reasons your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked.

Reinstating Your License

You should not drive while your license is suspended or revoked. After your period of suspension or revocation, you may need to pay a reinstatement fee, other fees, or fulfill other conditions before your license is valid again. The reinstatement fee may be $125 or $85, depending on the circumstances. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.320e.)

Criminal Charges for Operating on a Suspended or Revoked License

If you drive with a suspended or revoked license, you may be charged with a crime.

Misdemeanors

In many cases, you may be charged with a misdemeanor. The maximum sentence depends on whether you have prior convictions for operating with a suspended or revoked license.

For a first violation, your maximum sentence may be:

• up to 93 days in jail
• a $500 fine, and
• cancellation of your vehicle registration plates. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.904(3)(a).)

For a subsequent violation, your maximum sentence may be:

• up to one year in jail
• a $1,000 fine, and
• cancellation of your vehicle registration plates. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.904(3)(b).)

Felonies

If you are driving with a suspended or revoked license and someone is injured or killed, you may be charged with a felony in certain circumstances. If you cause someone’s death, the sentence may be:

• up to 15 years in prison, and
• a fine between $2,500 and $10,000. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.904(4).)

If you cause serious injury to someone, the sentence may be:

• up to five years in prison, and
• a fine between $1,000 and $5,000. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.904(5).)

In addition, your vehicle may be forfeited or immobilized if you are convicted under these circumstances. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.904(6).)

Other Charges

You may also be charged with a misdemeanor or felony if you permit someone to drive a vehicle, knowing that he or she does not have a license. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.904.)

Legal Help for Charges of Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

A conviction for driving on a suspended or revoked license can have serious consequences. In addition to the prospect of fines and jail time, a conviction can hinder your ability to stay employed, to get to school, to obtain or retain insurance, and to live your life in general. While the law provides specific penalties for a conviction, your actual sentence will depend on many factors, including the attitude prosecutors and judges in your area have of the crime. An attorney who is familiar with these charges in your area will be best able to give you advice about your case.