Every time you are found responsible for a moving violation in Michigan, the Secretary of State adds points to your driving record. Those points do more than sit on file — they can raise your insurance for years and, if they add up, put your license at risk. This guide explains how Michigan's point system works, how many points common violations carry, and what you can do to protect your record.
Key Takeaways
- Points scale with severity — speeding runs from 2 to 4 points; reckless driving is 6. The faster or more dangerous the conduct, the more points.
- Points last two years — from the date you are found responsible, then stop counting toward your total.
- 12 points can trigger a reexamination — where the Secretary of State can restrict, suspend, or revoke your license.
- Points affect insurance — often for three to five years — usually costing far more than the fine itself.
- You can prevent points — through BDIC or by contesting the ticket — you cannot erase them once assessed.
How the Michigan point system works
Michigan uses a statewide point system administered by the Secretary of State. When a court finds you responsible for a civil infraction or convicts you of a criminal traffic offense, it reports the outcome to the state, which assigns the point value set by law for that violation. Points are tied to the date you are found responsible, and they remain on your record for two years before they stop counting toward your total.
Points are not just a number the state tracks. They are the trigger for license reexamination, and they are one of the first things your insurance company looks at when setting your premium.
Point values for common violations
Here is what the most common Michigan violations add to your record:
Speeding
- 1–10 mph over the limit — 2 points
- 11–15 mph over the limit — 3 points
- 16 mph or more over the limit — 4 points
Other moving violations
- Disobeying a traffic signal or stop sign — 3 points
- Careless driving — 3 points
- Failure to yield or improper passing — generally 2 points
- Reckless driving — 6 points (and a misdemeanor)
Speeding is by far the most common ticket, and where you land on the 2-to-4-point ladder can hinge on just a few miles per hour. Our Michigan speeding ticket guide covers the penalties and options in detail.
Because the speeding tiers jump at 11 and 16 mph over, an officer's charged speed can be the difference between 2 and 4 points. When a ticket is contested, one common outcome is a reduction to a lower speed tier — or to a non-moving violation with no points at all.
What happens when points add up
Michigan does not suspend your license automatically at a fixed point total the way some states do, but points still put your license at risk. Accumulating 12 points within two years can trigger adriver reexamination by the Secretary of State. At a reexamination, the state reviews your record and can impose license restrictions, a suspension, or a revocation depending on your history and the circumstances.
Separately, many individual offenses carry their own license consequences on top of points — for example, certain convictions come with mandatory suspensions regardless of your point total. This is another reason the point count is only part of the picture.
Some violations trigger a license suspension or other penalties on their own, independent of your point total. Reckless driving, operating while intoxicated, and driving on a suspended license are criminal matters with consequences far beyond points — and they need dedicated defense.
How points affect your insurance
For most drivers, the biggest cost of a ticket is not the fine — it is the insurance increase. Michigan insurers review your record when setting premiums, and points signal risk. A single moving violation can raise your rate for three to five years, quietly adding up to hundreds or thousands of dollars over time. That is why keeping points off your record is usually worth far more than the amount printed on the ticket.
Protect yourself before the next ticket hits
Traffic Ticket Buddy connects you with a Michigan traffic attorney who works to keep points off your record — through a reduction, a dismissal, or negotiating with the prosecutor. Plans start at $14.99/mo.
View Plansorsee how it works →How to keep points off your record
You cannot erase points once they are assessed, but you can prevent them:
- Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC). Eligible drivers offered BDIC by the Secretary of State can complete the course to keep points off their record and away from their insurer, though the fine still applies. See our BDIC guide.
- Contesting the ticket. A dismissal means no points at all. A reduction — for example, to a lower speed tier or a non-moving violation — means fewer points or none. Ourhow-to-fight guide walks through the process.
- Negotiating through an attorney. An attorney can work with the prosecutor to reduce the charge, often to something that carries no points and preserves your one-time BDIC eligibility.
We connect subscribers with experienced traffic attorneys who handle all legal work on your behalf. We do not provide legal advice directly.
Frequently asked questions
How long do points stay on your record in Michigan?
Points remain on your Michigan driving record for two years from the date you are found responsible for or convicted of the violation. After two years the points for that violation no longer count toward your total, though the underlying conviction can remain part of your record.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Michigan?
It depends on how far over the limit you were cited. Speeding up to 10 mph over is 2 points, 11 to 15 mph over is 3 points, and 16 mph or more over is 4 points. Other moving violations carry their own values — 3 points for disobeying a signal or careless driving, and 6 points for reckless driving.
What happens if I get 12 points in Michigan?
Accumulating 12 points within a two-year period can trigger a driver reexamination by the Secretary of State. At a reexamination the state reviews your driving record and may add restrictions to your license, suspend it, or revoke it depending on the circumstances.
Can I remove points from my Michigan record?
You cannot simply remove points once they are assessed, but you can prevent them. Eligible drivers can complete the Basic Driver Improvement Course to keep points off their record, and contesting a ticket can result in a dismissal or a reduction to a violation that carries fewer or no points. An attorney can advise which path fits your situation.