Losing your driver’s license in Michigan can affect every part of daily life. Work, family care, and basic errands become harder. For many people, license suspension or revocation follows multiple alcohol-related driving offenses. The good news is that Michigan law allows drivers to restore their licenses if they meet the requirements and present a strong case.
This post explains how license restoration works in Michigan, what the Secretary of State looks for, and why legal help often makes the difference.
Suspension vs. Revocation in Michigan
Understanding your status matters.
- Suspension means your license is taken for a set time. After that period, you may be eligible to reinstate by paying fees and meeting conditions.
- Revocation means your license is taken away indefinitely. This often happens after two or more DUI convictions within seven years, or three within ten years.
Most people seeking license restoration are dealing with a revocation, not a suspension.
Who Is Eligible for Driver’s License Restoration?
You may file a restoration appeal if:
- Your minimum revocation period has ended
- One year for two DUI convictions within seven years
- Five years for three DUI convictions within ten years
- You can show voluntary and sustained sobriety
- You can prove you are a low risk to drink and drive again
The burden is on you. The hearing officer does not start neutral. You must prove your case by clear and convincing evidence.
What the Secretary of State Requires
License restoration cases are decided by the Michigan Secretary of State’s Administrative Hearings Section. To win, you must submit and defend detailed evidence, including:
1. Substance Use Evaluation
This must be completed on the correct state form and be internally consistent. Errors or vague answers often lead to denial.
2. Letters of Support
These letters must:
- Confirm your sobriety
- Show firsthand knowledge
- Match your evaluation and testimony
Generic or conflicting letters can sink a case.
3. Hearing Testimony
You must testify under oath about:
- Your drinking history
- When and why you quit
- What keeps you sober today
Inconsistencies, minimization, or poor preparation are common reasons for denial.
Why Many Appeals Fail
People often lose because they:
- File too early
- Underestimate the process
- Use a weak or inaccurate evaluation
- Submit poor letters of support
- Are unprepared for questioning
If you lose, you usually must wait another full year to try again.
How a Michigan License Restoration Attorney Helps
An experienced attorney helps by:
- Determining if you are truly eligible
- Preparing you for the hearing
- Reviewing and editing letters of support
- Preparing you to testify
- Presenting a clear, consistent sobriety narrative
License restoration is not about saying the right words. It is about proving long-term change.
Out-of-State Clearance
Michigan also blocks licenses for many people who now live in another state. In these cases, you may need a Clearance rather than a restoration.
If granted, Michigan removes the hold so you can obtain a license elsewhere.
Take the Next Step
If your license was revoked in Michigan, you are not stuck forever. With proper preparation and the right evidence, restoration is possible.
If you are serious about getting back on the road, speak with a Michigan driver’s license restoration attorney who focuses on these cases and understands what the Secretary of State expects.
Getting your license back starts with doing it the right way.
Contact us today.