Driving while your license is suspended — often abbreviated DWLS — is easy to underestimate. It is not a ticket; in Michigan it is a criminal misdemeanor that can carry jail time and a criminal record. Worse, it usually sits on top of whatever caused the suspension in the first place. This guide explains the penalties, how licenses get suspended in Michigan, and why a DWLS charge needs a defense attorney.
Driving on a suspended license is a crime in Michigan, not a civil infraction. A conviction creates a criminal record and carries the possibility of jail. It also does nothing to fix the underlying suspension — you need to address both.
Key Takeaways
- It is a misdemeanor — a first DWLS offense can carry up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both.
- A second offense is worse — up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, and cancellation of your registration plates.
- It compounds the original problem — a DWLS sits on top of whatever caused the suspension — both need to be resolved.
- Suspensions have many causes — OWI, too many points, unpaid obligations, failure to appear, and certain convictions.
- This needs a defense attorney — subscribers who submit a DWLS are connected with a criminal defense specialist through our referral network.
DWLS penalties in Michigan
Driving while license suspended, revoked, or denied is a misdemeanor under Michigan law. The penalties escalate with repeat offenses:
- First offense: up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both.
- Second or subsequent offense: up to one year in jail, a fine of up to$1,000, or both, plus cancellation of your registration plates.
A conviction also creates a criminal record. And if the driving that led to the stop caused an accident with injury, the exposure can increase substantially. This is a charge where the difference between a first and second offense — and the details of how it is handled — matters a great deal.
Beyond the criminal penalties, a suspended-license conviction can lead to an additional suspension period, pushing your reinstatement further out. Resolving the charge favorably is part of getting your driving privileges back.
Why licenses get suspended in Michigan
Michigan licenses are suspended for a wide range of reasons, and knowing yours matters because it shapes both the defense and the path to reinstatement. Common causes include:
- An OWI or other alcohol/drug conviction. See our Michigan OWI guide.
- Too many points. Accumulating 12 points can trigger a Secretary of State reexamination that may result in a suspension. See our points guide.
- Failure to appear in court or failure to comply with a judgment.
- Certain drug convictions unrelated to driving.
- Unpaid obligations tied to your license or prior cases.
Many drivers are cited for DWLS without realizing their license was suspended at all — for example, when a notice was mailed to an old address. Whether you knew about the suspension can matter to the case, which is one of many reasons to have an attorney review the specifics.
How a defense attorney can help
A DWLS charge is often more workable than it first appears. An experienced attorney may be able to challenge whether you knew of the suspension, address the underlying cause so your license can be reinstated, negotiate a reduction to a lesser charge, or resolve the matter in a way that avoids jail and limits the damage to your record. Because a DWLS is tangled up with the reason for the suspension, handling both together is usually the smartest approach.
Traffic Ticket Buddy's subscription plans cover civil traffic violations. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal charge and is not handled through the standard plans. If you are a subscriber and submit a DWLS matter, we connect you with an experienced criminal defense attorney through our referral network.
Charged with driving on a suspended license?
DWLS is a criminal charge that requires a defense attorney. If you are a Traffic Ticket Buddy subscriber, submit your case and we will connect you with a Michigan criminal defense specialist.
Learn How It WorksCDL holders: a suspension threatens your livelihood
For commercial drivers, a suspended-license charge is especially serious — it can jeopardize both your regular and commercial driving privileges and, with them, your job. If you hold a CDL, see our CDL plans and talk to an attorney immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Is driving on a suspended license a crime in Michigan?
Yes. Driving while license suspended (DWLS) is a criminal misdemeanor in Michigan, not a civil infraction. A first offense can carry up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both, and it creates a criminal record.
What is the penalty for a second DWLS offense in Michigan?
A second or subsequent DWLS offense carries heavier penalties than a first — up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, and cancellation of your vehicle registration plates. Repeat offenses are treated much more seriously.
Why do licenses get suspended in Michigan?
Common reasons include an OWI, accumulating too many points and failing a Secretary of State reexamination, certain drug convictions, failure to appear or failure to comply with a court, and unpaid obligations. Because the reasons vary, resolving a DWLS often means addressing the underlying suspension as well as the new charge.
Does Traffic Ticket Buddy handle suspended-license charges?
Not through the standard subscription. DWLS is a criminal charge, so it is not covered by the ordinary plans. If you are a Traffic Ticket Buddy subscriber and submit a suspended-license matter, we connect you with a criminal defense attorney through our referral network.