Traffic Violation Newsroom

Michigan Anti-Drunk Driving Laws

Anti-drunk driving laws require swift and sure action and stiff penalties for drunk drivers. The laws: Require courts to decide drunken driving cases within 77 days after an arrest. Require a mandatory six-month driver license suspension even for a first conviction. A driver may be eligible for a restricted license after serving 30 days of the suspension. Require five days to one year of consecutive jail time and/or 30 to 90 days of community service for a second conviction of drunk driving. Include a felony for a conviction for drunk driving that causes death. Include a felony for a conviction for drunk driving that causes a serious injury to another. Require fines for a conviction of driving while a driver license is suspended or revoked of up to $500 for a first offense, and $1,000 for an additional offense. Do not allow hardship appeals for habitual alcohol offenders. Require a reinstatement fee of $125 if your driver license was suspended, revoked, or restricted.Require a Driver Responsibility Fee of $1,000 for two consecutive years for driving while intoxicated and a $500 fee for two consecutive years for driving while impaired, with any presence of a Schedule 1 drug or cocaine, zero tolerance, or child endangerment.

Preliminary Breath Test: When stopped by a law enforcement officer for suspicion of driving while intoxicated, you may be asked to take sobriety tests including a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) at the roadside to determine whether you are under the influence of alcohol. If you refuse to take the PBT, you will be charged with a civil infraction and fined up to $150 plus court costs. Persons under age 21 who refuse to take the PBT will receive two points on their driver record. Even if you take the PBT, you must still take the evidentiary chemical test (blood, breath, or urine test).

Anti-Drug Laws: Michigan law requires driver license suspensions for drug convictions, even if you were not driving at the time of the offense. If there are no prior drug violations, your driver license is suspended for six months. No restricted license is allowed for the first 30 days. One or more prior drug convictions in seven years means your driver license will be suspended for one year. No restricted license is allowed for the first 60 days. The driver license reinstatement fee is $125. This fee is separate from the reinstatement fee required for any other driving activity.

law requires driver license suspensions for drug convictions, even if you were not driving at the time of the offense. If there are no prior drug violations, your driver license is suspended for six months. No restricted license is allowed for the first 30 days. One or more prior drug convictions in seven years means your driver license will be suspended for one year. No restricted license is allowed for the first 60 days. The driver license reinstatement fee is $125. This fee is separate from the reinstatement fee required for any other driving activity.