License Suspended? Here's How to Get It Back (Without Losing Your Mind)

So, your license is suspended. Maybe it was too many tickets. Maybe it was a DUI. Maybe you just ignored that one court date because life. Whatever the reason—you’re now riding shotgun in your own car and bumming rides like you're 17 again.

Let’s fix that.

Here are the steps to take if you want your Michigan driver’s license back where it belongs—in your wallet and off the judge's radar.

🔍 Step 1: Figure Out Why It Was Suspended (No, Really)

You’d be shocked how many people don’t actually know why their license is suspended. Before you start paying off fines or applying for hearings, you need to get the full picture.

✅ Go to Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) and request a Driving Record
✅ Or, if you like things the hard way, wait in line at a local branch and ask for a printed copy
✅ Look for any of these:

  • Unpaid tickets

  • Missed court appearances

  • DUI/DWI suspensions

  • Child support-related suspensions

  • Insurance violations

💸 Step 2: Handle the Dirty Work (a.k.a. Pay Your Dues)

This isn’t the fun part. But it’s necessary. Once you know the cause, you’ll need to do some or all of the following:

  • Pay reinstatement fees (usually $125 minimum)

  • Pay off outstanding tickets/fines

  • Clear any warrants (yes, those count)

  • Show proof of insurance

  • Satisfy court orders (like community service or probation)

💡 Pro tip: If it's a DUI, you’re in a whole different category. Read on.

🧑‍⚖️ Step 3: If It’s DUI-Related, Welcome to the Wild Ride

If your license was revoked because of drunk or drugged driving, getting it back isn’t just paperwork. It’s a legal landmine.

You’ll need to:

  1. Wait your mandatory revocation period (1–5 years depending on how many offenses you have)

  2. File for a Driver’s License Restoration Hearing with the Michigan Secretary of State

  3. Submit a full Substance Use Evaluation, 12-panel drug screen, and 3–6 letters of support

  4. PROVE that:
    ✅ You’ve been sober at least 12 months
    ✅ You’re unlikely to reoffend
    ✅ You’ve made serious life changes

You don’t get “a second chance” just for showing up. You earn it. And you better be prepared. This is where most people mess up—and where hiring a lawyer can actually make or break your case.

✅ Step 4: Reinstatement & Reentry

Once everything’s cleared, you can apply for reinstatement at the SOS.

  • Fill out form BDVR-93

  • Bring your ID, Social Security Number, proof of insurance, and money

  • Pay the reinstatement fee

  • You may have to take a written test or driving test, especially if it’s been more than a year

🎯 Bonus: Get a Restricted License (If You’re Eligible)

If you're mid-suspension (especially for DUI), you might be eligible for a restricted license with an ignition interlock device (a.k.a. the car breathalyzer). You’ll be allowed to drive to:

  • Work

  • School

  • Court-ordered obligations

  • Medical appointments

But slip up once—one dirty breath test or missed service appointment—and it’s back to Uber and regrets.

Final Word from a Lawyer in a Hoodie:

Don’t half-ass this. A suspended license can snowball into bigger problems: arrest, higher fines, and a record that makes insurance companies drool.

📞 Call a lawyer.
📁 Do the homework.
✅ Show up and show proof.

Want help getting your license back? We do this all the time. And we’re not here to judge—we’re here to help you get back behind the wheel legally.

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