Thanksgiving Weekend DUI Patrols: Essential Tips to Avoid License Suspension and Prepare for Restoration After Prior Offenses

Increased Law Enforcement During Thanksgiving Weekend in Michigan

Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning coordinates with state and local police departments across all 83 counties to increase drunk driving enforcement during Thanksgiving weekend. The emphasis is on keeping the roads safe during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Because people tend to gather for family events and social drinking, law enforcement treats this weekend as a “high risk” period for alcohol-related crashes.

Law enforcement agencies frequently set up extra patrols to specifically watch for impaired driving. These are often referred to as “saturation patrols” or “OWI task forces.” Officers in these details focus on spotting signs of intoxication, including:

• Erratic or aggressive driving behavior
• Swerving or unnecessary lane changes
• Speeding or unusually slow driving
• Failure to use headlights or obey stop signs

Many local departments, including Michigan State Police, post public notices regarding their involvement in these efforts. However, the specific locations of heavy police presence themselves are not typically disclosed in advance. Drivers should assume that patrol intensity will be significantly higher than normal from Wednesday night through Sunday.

Understanding OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) in Michigan

In Michigan, the legal term for what many call “DUI” is Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). Under Michigan law, operating a vehicle “under the influence” or with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher can lead to an arrest and criminal prosecution. You can even be charged with OWI if your BAC is lower than 0.08% but your driving ability is visibly impaired by alcohol or drugs.

The relevant statute is MCL 257.625, which defines multiple OWI-related offenses:

• OWI—Operating While Intoxicated (Standard): BAC of 0.08 or evidence of impairment.
• OWI, BAC 0.17 or higher (“Super Drunk”): Enhanced penalties apply.
• OWVI—Operating While Visibly Impaired: Any level of impairment that affects your driving ability, even below 0.08 BAC.
• OWI with a Minor in the Vehicle: More severe penalties if a child under 16 is in the car.

Even a first-time OWI carries serious consequences in Michigan, including jail time, fines, license suspension, and mandatory alcohol education programs.

Avoiding License Suspension After Thanksgiving DUI Arrests

Besides facing criminal penalties, one of the most critical and immediate consequences of an OWI arrest is the potential loss of your driver’s license. The Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) handles all licensing actions following OWI offenses or implied consent violations.

Refusal to Take the Breath Test – Implied Consent Suspension

Under Michigan’s Implied Consent Law (MCL 257.625c), any driver operating a vehicle on public roads is deemed to have consented to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) if lawfully arrested for OWI. If you refuse such a test after being read your rights, the police can issue an “Implied Consent Refusal.”

After a refusal:

• Your license will be automatically suspended for one year for a first refusal (two years for a second refusal within seven years).
• You have only 14 days from the date of the refusal notice to request a hearing with the Michigan Secretary of State’s Administrative Hearings Section (AHS).
• Failing to request within that 14-day window means automatic suspension without further review.

It is essential to act immediately after a DUI arrest to preserve your driving privileges. Having a skilled OWI defense lawyer file the request and represent you at the hearing can make the difference between keeping and losing your license.

How Prior Offenses Impact License Sanctions and Restoration Options

If you have prior OWI convictions, Thanksgiving weekend patrols can be especially dangerous. Michigan treats repeat offenders harshly. License penalties escalate significantly with each additional drunk driving conviction within a seven-year or ten-year period.

License Penalties for Multiple OWI Convictions

• First Offense OWI: 180-day suspension (restricted license possible after 30 days).
• Second Offense (within 7 years): Mandatory 1-year revocation of the driver’s license.
• Third Offense (within 10 years): License revoked for a minimum of 5 years.

A revocation is not the same as a suspension. Suspension means your license is temporarily taken away for a set time, after which it’s automatically reinstated. Revocation, on the other hand, means your license is void—you must go through a formal driver license restoration process to regain legal driving privileges.

Preparing for Driver’s License Restoration After Prior DUI Offenses

Many Michigan residents have had their licenses revoked for multiple OWI offenses and are unsure how to get them back. Restoration is possible, but the process is highly technical. The Michigan Secretary of State requires extensive documentation and strict proof of sobriety before reinstating any driving privileges.

Eligibility for Restoration

You typically become eligible to apply for a driver’s license restoration hearing after:

• At least 1 year has passed since your last revocation (for first revocation).
• At least 5 years have passed if you have had 3 or more offenses within ten years.

Meeting the time requirement is only the first step. You must also demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that you are sober and not a risk for future drinking and driving.

Evidence Required for License Restoration

The Michigan Secretary of State requires extensive documentation at every restoration hearing:

• Substance Use Evaluation (SUE): This must be completed by a licensed addiction counselor.
• Twelve–Panel Drug Screen: Must be negative for all controlled substances.
• Letters of Support: Typically three to six letters from friends, family, coworkers, or sponsors attesting to your sobriety.
• Proof of Sobriety: Examples include AA sign-in sheets, treatment completion certificates, or ignition interlock data showing compliance.

The Restoration Hearing

Restoration hearings are typically held before an administrative hearing officer with the Secretary of State’s Administrative Hearings Section (AHS). At the hearing, you will testify about your past drinking behavior, your current recovery plan, and your support system for maintaining sobriety.

Common hearing officer questions include:

• When was the last time you consumed alcohol?
• What caused you to stop drinking?
• What steps have you taken to maintain sobriety?
• Who supports your recovery?
• What have you learned from your past DUI convictions?

Preparation is key. An experienced attorney can help you gather the right documentation, coach you through the common questions, and ensure your case is complete before submission.

Ignition Interlock and Restricted License Options

After multiple DUI convictions, most Michigan drivers must use a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) before being granted restricted driving privileges. This device monitors your sobriety by requiring a breath test before and during vehicle operation.

Common rules include:

• Zero tolerance for alcohol consumption—any positive reading will be reported to the Secretary of State.
• Mandatory use period—usually 1 year of successful compliance before you can petition for full license reinstatement.
• Random retests while driving—failure to retest or tampering can result in re-revocation of your license.

While interlocks can feel restrictive, they are often the necessary final step in proving your commitment to sober driving and regaining full privileges.

Defensive Strategies During Thanksgiving DUI Patrols

Even with strict enforcement, officers must follow constitutional rules when stopping and arresting drivers. There are several potential defenses in OWI cases depending on the facts of your stop.

Common Defenses

• Improper Stop: The officer must have “reasonable suspicion” to pull you over. A stop without valid cause may be challenged and lead to suppression of evidence.
• Incorrect Field Sobriety Tests: Field tests such as the walk-and-turn or one-leg stand must be conducted according to standardized procedures validated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Deviations can make results unreliable.
• Faulty Breath or Blood Testing: Breathalyzer equipment must be properly calibrated, and blood draws must follow protocol. Errors can invalidate results.
• Violation of Rights: Every suspect has the right to counsel and the right against self-incrimination. If these rights are violated, crucial evidence could be excluded.

Every case is unique. A careful review of the police reports, bodycam footage, and test results can uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Post-Conviction and Restoration After a Thanksgiving DUI

If you are convicted of an OWI over the Thanksgiving weekend and have prior offenses, it’s important to begin working toward restoration and sobriety immediately. Post-conviction steps can help strengthen future license restoration petitions and demonstrate rehabilitation to both the court and the Secretary of State.

Steps to Take After Conviction

• Enroll in and complete any court-ordered alcohol treatment or counseling programs.
• Participate in support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery.
• Comply strictly with probation conditions and interlock requirements.
• Keep detailed records of your sobriety and support activities.

Attorneys experienced in driver’s license restoration often guide clients to start collecting documentation early—well before eligibility—to reduce the risk of future denials. Having consistent, demonstrable proof of sobriety is the single most important factor in a successful restoration appeal.