Traffic tickets in Michigan: points, fines and traffic school
How Michigan treats a traffic ticket: whether the points stick, whether a course can clear it, what the fine really costs, and which court or agency actually handles it. Prefer your own city? Jump to the 1 Michigan city guides below.
1Do points matter in Michigan?
Michigan assesses points on conviction and keeps them for two years from the conviction date. 12 points in two years triggers a Secretary of State driver reexamination, which can end in a restriction, a suspension or a revocation.2Can you keep it off your record?
Michigan's real record saver is the Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC), run by the Secretary of State: an eligible driver who completes it avoids the points, and the ticket is not reported to insurance. You may only use it once, the State mails you a notice with a 60-day deadline to enrol, and you are not eligible if you already had more than 2 points when the ticket was issued, if the offence was criminal, if it happened in a commercial vehicle, if the ticket was issued outside Michigan, or if you hold a CDL.Compare how traffic school works in every state we cover →
3What will it cost?
A fine in Michigan is set by statute or by the court named on your citation — never by the officer who wrote it. Here is where the real number comes from:
Fines and court costs vary by violation. Check the court's current fine schedule, and treat the amount printed on your court notice as the real number.4Who handles your ticket in Michigan?
Your ticket goes to the district court for the area where you were cited — the 36th District Court in Detroit. Fines and costs are set by that court; the points and the Basic Driver Improvement Course are handled by the Secretary of State.Check your licence status and driving record with Michigan Secretary of State - licence, points and BDIC.
Pick your city in Michigan
Same six questions on every page, in the same order: where to pay, whether to fight it, traffic school, and when a lawyer is worth it.
Common questions
What is the Basic Driver Improvement Course in Michigan?
It is Michigan's real record saver: an eligible driver who completes the BDIC avoids the points and the ticket is not reported to insurance. You may use it once, the State mails you a notice with a 60-day deadline to enrol, and you are not eligible if you already had more than 2 points, if the offence was criminal, if it happened in a commercial vehicle, if the ticket came from outside Michigan, or if you hold a CDL.
How many points suspend a Michigan licence?
Michigan assesses points on conviction and keeps them two years. 12 points in two years triggers a Secretary of State reexamination, which can end in a restriction, a suspension or a revocation.
How much is a Michigan traffic ticket?
Fines and court costs vary by violation. Check the court's current fine schedule, and treat the amount on your court notice as the real number.
Informational only, not legal advice. Rules, deadlines and fine schedules change — always confirm the detail with the court or agency named on your ticket. Last checked 2026-10-12.