End-of-Year Action Plan: 5 Steps to Clear Your Driving Record and Restore Your Privileges Before the New Year

Understanding Michigan’s Driver’s License Suspension and Revocation Process

Before diving into the action plan, it’s critical to understand the difference between a suspension and a revocation under Michigan law. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have completely different implications for restoring your privileges.

Suspended License

A license suspension in Michigan means your driving privileges are temporarily withdrawn for a specific period or until certain conditions are met. Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic tickets, failure to maintain insurance, or accumulating too many points on your record. Once your suspension period and any required reinstatement fees are satisfied, your license can typically be reinstated at a Secretary of State (SOS) office.

Revoked License

A license revocation, on the other hand, is far more serious. Revocation usually stems from repeated alcohol-related driving offenses (such as multiple OWI convictions) or other dangerous driving behaviors. If your license is revoked, it does not automatically return after a set period—you must apply for restoration through the Michigan Department of State and attend a Driver Assessment and Appeal Division (DAAD) hearing, sometimes referred to as a DLAD hearing. Until the state grants your appeal, you remain unlicensed.

Knowing which category applies to your situation will determine how you proceed with restoring your driving privileges.

Step 1: Get Your Driving Record and Identify the Problem

Before you can fix your driving record, you need to confirm exactly what’s on it. You can request your official Michigan driving record online through the Secretary of State’s website or in person at a branch office. The record will show any open suspensions, revocations, or restrictions along with the reasons for each.

Review your record carefully. Look for:

• Open suspensions or revocations
• Outstanding tickets, fees, or judgments
• Points that are close to expiring
• Any pending requirements for driver responsibility fees (though these were eliminated in 2018, old balances may still appear in some cases)

This record acts as the roadmap for your restoration plan. Without it, you’ll be guessing—and in Michigan, guessing can lead to delays or even additional penalties if you drive before you’re legally reinstated.

Step 2: Resolve Outstanding Fines, Tickets, or Court Obligations

Michigan’s Secretary of State will not reinstate your license if you have unpaid fines, tickets, or court judgments. These unresolved issues can include civil infractions, unpaid child support, or default judgments from other traffic-related matters.

If a court issued a suspension for failure to appear or pay, the fastest route to restoration is to contact that specific court directly, pay your balance, and request that they notify the Secretary of State to lift the hold. You may need to obtain a clearance or “abstract” from the court as proof of payment.

In cases where your license is suspended for non-driving reasons—such as unpaid child support—the suspension may be governed by the Friend of the Court. You’ll need to work directly with them to ensure compliance and have the suspension lifted.

It’s important to gather proof of compliance for every sanction on your record. The SOS office will require this documentation before allowing you to proceed with reinstatement or restoration.

Step 3: Address Substance-Related Violations and Proof of Sobriety

For drivers with revocations due to alcohol or drug-related offenses (like multiple OWI convictions), restoring a license is not as simple as paying a fine or waiting out a suspension period. Michigan law, specifically under MCL 257.303, requires proof that the driver’s substance use problem is under control and likely to remain under control.

To satisfy this requirement, you must go through the Secretary of State’s Driver Assessment and Appeal Division (DAAD) process. This involves:

• Submitting a substance use evaluation by a licensed professional
• Providing letters of community support attesting to your sobriety
• Documenting a consistent period of abstinence—usually at least 12 months
• Providing proof of participation in recovery or support programs, if applicable

The DAAD hearing officer will evaluate your case in detail, looking for convincing evidence that you have not only abstained from alcohol or drugs but have made significant lifestyle changes to prevent relapse. In many cases, applicants must wait at least one year from the date of revocation before applying for restoration, but longer periods are not uncommon if prior appeals were denied.

This stage can be complex. Having an experienced Michigan driver’s license restoration attorney can make all the difference, particularly when it comes to preparing your documents and testimony for the hearing.

Step 4: Schedule and Prepare for Your DAAD Hearing

Once your documentation is complete, it’s time to apply for a hearing. The Michigan Secretary of State offers both in-person and virtual hearings. You’ll submit your evaluation, letters of sobriety, and a request for hearing form.

At the hearing, the officer will ask detailed questions about your drinking or drug use history, your recovery process, and your daily life. The hearing’s purpose is to determine whether granting your license poses a risk to public safety.

Common factors that influence the outcome include:

• Length of sobriety
• Credibility and consistency in your testimony
• Support letters’ authenticity and detail
• Verification of stable housing, employment, and community involvement

If successful, you may be granted a restricted license with a requirement for an ignition interlock device (commonly known as a “blow and go”). After demonstrating compliance for a year or more, you can apply for full license restoration.

If your hearing doesn’t go as planned, you can appeal the decision to the circuit court, though it’s not a rehearing—the judge will review the Secretary of State’s record to determine if there was an error. This appeal process is governed by MCL 257.323.

Step 5: Restore and Protect Your Driving Record

After you regain your driving privileges, keeping your record clean becomes your next priority. In Michigan, most moving violations stay on your record for seven years, while serious offenses such as OWI can remain indefinitely. However, the Michigan “Clean Slate” law now allows certain non-OWI driving misdemeanors to be set aside after a waiting period, provided specific conditions are met.

To protect your newly restored license:

• Maintain proper insurance coverage at all times
• Avoid traffic violations and points by driving cautiously
• Comply with any remaining court conditions or probation requirements
• Renew your license and plates on time to avoid technical suspensions

If you were granted a restricted license with an ignition interlock device, follow all program rules precisely. A single violation recorded by the device could trigger an SOS re-revocation of your license, setting you back months or even years.

Additional Option: Expungement Under Michigan’s Clean Slate Law

Although expungement is a separate process from license restoration, it can be an important part of cleaning up your driving and criminal record. In Michigan, certain driving-related crimes that are misdemeanors (excluding most OWI and traffic offenses causing injury or death) may now qualify to be set aside after a waiting period under MCL 780.621.

By clearing qualifying traffic misdemeanors, you can improve your record for employment and professional licensing purposes, and you’ll demonstrate continued responsibility to the Department of State if you ever face a new suspension or restoration review.

When to Get Help from a Michigan Driver’s License Restoration Attorney

Michigan’s driver’s license restoration process is highly technical and documentation-driven. Missing one form, providing incomplete support letters, or giving inconsistent testimony can result in a denial—and another year of waiting before you can apply again. Experienced legal representation can prevent costly mistakes and increase your likelihood of success on the first try.

If you need guidance or representation for a driver’s license restoration hearing, contact Michigan criminal defense lawyer Aaron J. Boria. Call (734) 453-7806 today or visit our Michigan criminal defense attorney page for more information. Our office provides detailed support through every stage of the process—from collecting documentation to preparing you for hearing questions that could decide your driving future.

Example Timeline for Restoring a Revoked License in Michigan

Every situation is different, but here’s a general timeline for how the process may look if you start today:

1. Week 1–2: Obtain your driving record and identify outstanding issues.
2. Month 1: Resolve all fines, fees, and court obligations.
3. Month 2–3: Complete a professional substance use evaluation and begin collecting community letters of support.
4. Month 4: File your request for hearing with all required documentation.
5. Month 5–6: Attend your DAAD hearing (wait times vary).
6. Month 7: If granted a restricted license, install ignition interlock and comply with all conditions.
7. Month 19+: Apply for full restoration after 12 months of compliance.

By acting quickly and efficiently, you can enter the new year with a renewed sense of freedom and responsibility behind the wheel.

How Clearing Your Record Affects Insurance in Michigan

Beyond legal privileges, restoring your license can also bring financial relief. Michigan’s no-fault insurance system is among the most expensive in the nation, and high-risk designations can drive premiums exponentially higher. Insurance companies look at both your driving record and license status when setting rates.

Clearing old violations or restoring your license could remove high-risk surcharges over time. Most insurers use a 3–5 year look-back period for moving violations and accidents. After your record is clean, consider comparing rates to ensure you're not overpaying for high-risk coverage.

Moving Forward with a Clean Slate

Restoring your Michigan driver’s license isn’t just about getting from place to place—it’s about reclaiming independence, career options, and peace of mind. Whether you’re facing a straightforward suspension or a more complex revocation hearing due to multiple OWI convictions, taking strategic steps today can put you back on the road safely and legally in the months ahead.

As with any legal process, details matter. Proper documentation, preparation, and professional advice can spell the difference between a successful restoration and another long wait. Don’t let another year pass with driving restrictions holding you back. Start your end-of-year action plan now.

Call (734) 453-7806 today for a free consultation with Michigan driver’s license restoration attorney Aaron J. Boria to learn more about how we can help you regain your driving privileges and start the new year on the right path.