The MI licensing action explained
After a OWI arrest in Michigan, the Michigan Department of State (michigan.gov) opens its own case against your driving privilege. It is administrative, it moves faster than the criminal case, and it is decided regardless of what the court later does with the charge.
The request for an administrative hearing is due within 14 days of arrest. Miss it and the suspension usually takes effect automatically.
Hearing requests, suspension notices, reinstatement fees and interlock paperwork.
Deadlines, forms and how the hearing is conducted.
How the MI agency runs the licence case
- Certain OWI offenders must request a licence restoration hearing before the Michigan Administrative Hearing System.
- A driver assessment fee applies after certain point-related and OWI convictions.
- Reinstatement fees are paid online, by mail or at a Secretary of State office.
- MCL 257.304 governs restricted licences tied to completing a specialty court interlock programme.
Michigan licence facts
Michigan OWI law at a glance
Sourced from the Michigan code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.
- Offense name
- OWI (Michigan)
- Controlling statute
- MCL 257.625
- Implied consent
- MCL 257.625c
- Per se BAC limit
- 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
- Licence hearing deadline
- 14 days after arrest
- Prior-offense lookback
- 7 years
- First-offense fine
- $100–$500
- First-offense jail exposure
- up to 93 days
- Licence suspension
- 6 months
- Ignition interlock
- Not automatic on a first offense
- Trial court
- the District Court
- High-risk filing
- SR-22 for 3 years
A first offense can carry up to 93 days jail plus costs, probation, and a suspension.
Getting the licence back
- Serve the full suspension or hard-suspension period the agency sets.
- Complete any ordered assessment, education or treatment programme.
- Install an ignition interlock device if the court or agency orders one.
- Michigan requires a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for 3 years before a licence is reinstated after a OWI conviction.
- Pay the reinstatement fee and any licence-issuance fee in full.
Fees and processing times change; confirm the current amounts on michigan.gov before you travel to an office.
Michigan ZIP codes covered
These Michigan ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Michigan resources
Counties
Other Michigan official resources
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I have to challenge a Michigan licence suspension?
- The administrative hearing request is due within 14 days of arrest. Confirm the current deadline and filing method with the MI licensing agency at michigan.gov before relying on it.
- How long is a first-offense suspension in Michigan?
- A first OWI offense generally carries a 6 months suspension in Michigan. Reinstatement conditions, fees and any interlock requirement are set by the licensing agency.