Most of us understand that if we lose our license or enhanced driver’s license in Michigan, we can visit the Secretary of State (SoS) and apply for a replacement. Other states call the SoS the DMV (department of motor vehicles).
At any of the locations, we will have to provide legal and proper identification to confirm our identity. If my enhanced license turns up lost or stolen, it is immediately canceled and cannot be used for border-crossing purposes (an enhanced license can be used in place of a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean).
However, if a license is legally lost as a direct result of too many speeding tickets (I wouldn’t know anything about that!), a drunk driving conviction, or a car accident in Michigan where you are the one at fault, then you had better hire an attorney quickly.
In the case of one’s license being suspended due to too many speeding tickets, one must complete a driver’s improvement course, and all the fines must be paid in full before it can be reinstated. Again, I have no idea why I know this information; it’s just a hunch, I guess.
On the other hand, suppose your license has been revoked for DUI. In that instance, one needs to complete a substance abuse evaluation and education program as well as install an ignition interlock device on any vehicles they own or operate. The court may add additional actions such as attending Alcoholics Anonymous or admission to substance abuse rehabilitation for a set time. In both cases, a reinstatement fee must be paid.
Should a license be suspended or revoked, one may not be able to just apply for a replacement. Instead, they will have to follow proper steps to get it reinstated before they can legally drive again in Michigan.
So, here’s the game plan if you need to get your driver’s license back around here:
- First off, you’ll want to hire an attorney. They’ll help you navigate all the legal stuff.
- File a Petition for Restoration of Operating Privileges form with the Michigan Secretary of State’s Driver’s License Appeal Division (DLAD). It sounds fancy, but it’s just a form you need to submit.
- You need to get an official copy of your driving record from the Michigan Secretary of State. It’s basically a report card for drivers.
- Fill out a Michigan Driver Responsibility Assessment form. It’s another form, but part of the process.
- Be prepared to pay a $125 fee for reinstating your license. Don’t forget about any other fines you might owe.
- You’ll also need to complete a Defensive Driving Course or an Alcohol and Drug Evaluation and Treatment Program. Consider it a refresher on good driving habits.
How to get your license back in Michigan after DUI
Now, if your license got suspended because of a DUI or OWI offense, there’s a bit more you’ll need to do:
- File an SR-22 insurance form. It’s proof that you’re carrying the right amount of car insurance.
- You’ll have to install an ignition interlock device in your car. Yeah, that’s the thing that makes you blow into it before you drive.
- Participate in a Michigan Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel. It’s a session where you’ll hear from people affected by drunk driving.
- Complete a Michigan Sobriety Assessment and Treatment Plan. It’s a serious step to show you’re committed to staying sober.
- Finally, there’s a $500 fee for reinstating your license after a DUI/OWI.
To get your license back, you must pay all the fines you owe. You may also need to ask for a hearing with the SOS before you can get your license back. You can use the Request for Hearing form from the Michigan Department of State.
Yup, it’s quite a bit, but tackling these steps is the only road to getting your driving privileges back in Michigan.
What to do if you lose your license in another state
While I do an enormous amount of driving in the Metro Detroit area and all over up north Michigan, I do like to travel south in the winter or to the Carolinas to visit family and friends when I need a hug or see a familiar face when I’m missing them. And each time I travel, I am very aware of where my wallet is with my ID, money, and credit cards. It would absolutely stink to lose it while traveling!
I learned that whether your license was stolen or you lost it, the next thing to do is hop onto your state’s DMV website and order a temporary driver’s license. In many states, you can print out a document that acts as your temporary license until the replacement arrives in the mail. Plus, you can even download the PDF right to your phone.
It’s important to note that carrying that temporary license alone may not suffice in all situations. Depending on where you’re headed, some checkpoints or more official matters might require you to present a hard copy of your license. Hence, always keep track of its replacement status and ensure you have proper identification while awaiting the new license by mail.
In cases where your travel involves flights, you’ll need to have another form of government-issued ID if your license is missing. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts various documents like a passport, a passport card, or even a military ID to pass through airport security.
If you happen to get pulled over by law enforcement in a state where your license is lost or stolen, be sure to present the temporary license along with any other valid ID you might have on hand. Explain your situation clearly and show any reference numbers or confirmation emails that demonstrate you’re in the process of getting your license replaced. Keeping everything transparent will help you avoid unnecessary hassle.
Meanwhile, if your license happened to expire while it was lost and you forgot to renew it, you may be in for extra steps. Generally, you would not only need to apply for a replacement but also provide any necessary documents to renew it, such as proof of residency or a vision test certification.
Additionally, it’s tremendously valuable to bookmark or save the web portal link for your state DMV. Find out if you can store your digital driver’s license in a secure app provided by your state’s DMV, which can often act as a legal form of ID. Various states are rolling out digital licenses, which are easy to access and can come in handy if you cannot find your wallet.
Can you drive if you lost your license?
While you cannot legally drive without a valid license, you can apply for a replacement or reinstatement by following the appropriate steps.