Just about everyone in West Michigan needs to have a car or truck for transportation. If you have a suspended license, you are not allowed to legally drive on West Michigan roads. This is why we recommend retaining Criminal Defense Attorney Shawn Haff to represent you if you are trying to get back your suspended license.
If you currently don’t have a valid driver’s license, you can be arrested for driving while license suspended. (DWLS). A conviction for this charge will make it even more difficult for you to get your suspended license back.
So, what are the main reasons a person gets their license suspended or revoked? Let’s go over these reasons below.
Point Accumulation
In Michigan, you are at risk of losing your license if you have six points on your record. A person can get points for things such as speeding, accidents and certain felonies and misdemeanors. The points are stuck on your record for two years after the date of your conviction. If your license is taken away because of the amount of points you have on your driving record, you can safely assume your car insurance bill will also skyrocket.
Drunk Driving
If you get arrested and convicted for any drunk driving attorney, you will be facing a license suspension. How long these suspensions last depends on the severity of your DUI charge. Our driver’s license lawyers can guide you with advice on how to get your license back and what steps you need to take to be successful at sobriety court.
No Auto Insurance
All drivers on West Michigan’s roads need to have auto insurance. Insurance protects your rights and the rights of others if you are at fault for an accident. Not having insurance is a misdemeanor crime in Michigan. This means you may lose your driver’s license if you get convicted for driving without insurance.
If you get pulled over for speeding and do not have insurance on you, you can be cited for a civil infraction. The bottom line is this: Always have insurance on you.
Here are the steps you need to follow to get your driver’s license back.
1. Know Your Status: Suspension vs. Revocation
Many drivers use these terms interchangeably, but in the eyes of the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS), they are worlds apart.
- Suspension: This is a temporary “time-out.” Your license has a “from” and “through” date. Once that date passes, you typically pay a $125 reinstatement fee, and you are back on the road.
- Revocation: This is a permanent loss of your license, usually triggered by multiple DUI or Drunk Driving convictions (two within seven years or three within ten years). A revoked license does not “expire”—it remains gone until you win a formal hearing at the Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight (OHAO).
2. The 2026 “Operation Drive” Initiative
As of March 2026, Michigan has launched the Operation Drive program, granting $1 million to courts like the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids to help residents resolve outstanding tickets and warrants that are blocking their licenses. If your suspension is due to unpaid fines or failure to appear in court for Retail Fraud or Shoplifting, there may be new grant-funded pathways to help you clear your record faster than before.
3. Winning Your Restoration Hearing (MCL 257.323)
If your license was revoked for Drunk Driving, you must prove by clear and convincing evidence that you are sober and likely to remain sober. The SOS is not neutral; they assume you shouldn’t be driving until you prove otherwise. To win, you need:
- A Substance Use Evaluation: This must be completed by a licensed therapist and be 100% consistent with your testimony.
- Letters of Support: You need 3 to 6 notarized letters from people who see you regularly and can vouch for your sobriety.
- Documented Sobriety: Typically, you need at least 12 months of total abstinence from alcohol and controlled substances.
4. The Role of the Ignition Interlock (BAIID)
For many high-stakes cases, including High BAC (.17 or higher) or repeat DUI offenses, Michigan law requires the installation of a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID). This is often a prerequisite for a restricted license. Any violation—even a “false positive” from mouthwash—can trigger an immediate re-revocation. Shawn Haff provides a sophisticated shield for clients facing interlock violations, ensuring one technical glitch doesn’t restart your five-year waiting period.
5. Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) Warnings
The worst thing you can do while trying to get your license back is to get caught driving without it. A DWLS charge can lead to “additional like” suspensions, meaning the SOS will tack on more time to your current suspension, pushing your freedom even further out of reach. If you are facing a DWLS or were involved in a vehicle-related felony like Criminal Sexual Conduct or Domestic Violence, the legal hurdles to restoration become much steeper.
Call Shawn today if you have any questions regarding getting your suspended license back. Shawn knows how to get you the best results possible! Call Shawn now! The call is always free and Shawn will always take the time needed to answer all of your questions.