Michigan Traffic Violation Records

Michigan traffic records refer to official documents relating to the driving history of a person or other traffic-related activities in the state. These records are typically maintained by the Office of the Secretary of State, although some types of traffic records are held by courts in the state.

While speeding tickets are common traffic records maintained by authorities in the state, they are not the only type. Other types of traffic records in the state include accident reports and driving history records. About 7.51% of motorists in Michigan have a prior speeding violation on their driving record, a figure that is about 3% lower than the national average.

Having a traffic violation on your record in Michigan comes with significant consequences. It impacts your driving record by adding points, which may lead to higher insurance premiums and license suspension.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Michigan?

Not all traffic records maintained by the Michigan Secretary of State are public. Hence, traffic violation records in Michigan are not fully public. Some information, such as driving records, is typically available to authorized individuals or organizations, such as insurance companies, employers, and law enforcement agencies. Also, since personally identifiable information is protected under the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), private individuals may only access complete driver records by obtaining the permission of the record owner.

However, records of traffic-related criminal offenses may be available through the Michigan courts. Felony traffic offenses, which usually require a court appearance, are handled by the district or circuit courts, depending on the severity of the case. Court records for these offenses are generally publicly accessible and may be viewed online or requested in person from the appropriate court.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Michigan?

You may look up traffic tickets in Michigan using the ePay ticket search tool on the Michigan courts website. To start:

• Visit the ePAY page of the state court website
• Select the Michigan county and court with jurisdiction over the matter
• Choose your search option (last name and ticket or case number, last name and date of birth, driver's license number, and license plate number)
• Provide the appropriate information. Depending on the search option chosen above, you will be required to provide the relevant information
• Submit the search to view details about your traffic ticket

Also, with some traffic record information public information, you may also use third-party websites like publicrecords.us to search Michigan traffic records.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

Traffic tickets may be paid online via the Michigan Courts ePAY portal. Upon searching for and finding your ticket on the portal, you may proceed to pay the fine using a credit or debit card.

However, if you cannot find your ticket via this platform, you may visit the court clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed to pay the fines using an acceptable payment means. You may contact the court ahead to determine their acceptable payment methods. Some courts may also accept fine payments by mail, typically using a check or money order.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

You may obtain your driving record from the Michigan Department of State online, by mail, or at a scheduled office visit. To purchase a certified copy of your Michigan driving record online, create an account via MiLogin and verify your information on the Michigan Department of State website. It costs $16 to obtain your record via this method.

If you prefer mail application, submit a completed request form and a check or money order for $15 (or $16 for a certified copy) made payable to "State of Michigan" to:

Certified Michigan driving records contain the past three years of a driver's history, including moving violations, traffic tickets, accidents, license suspensions, and other relevant information.

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Michigan?

Moving violations are traffic infractions that occur when a vehicle is in motion and involve improper or unsafe driving behavior. Examples include:

• Speeding
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Reckless driving
• Failure to yield
• DUI

The penalties for moving violations in Michigan often include fines, points added to the driver's record, license suspension, or even jail time for severe offenses.

On the other hand, non-moving violations are traffic offenses that occur when the car is not in motion. Common examples include parking in a no-parking zone, expired vehicle registration, or broken taillights. Penalties usually involve fines and may lead to additional fees or impoundment if not resolved.

How Long Does OWI Stay on Your Record in Michigan?

Drunk driving in Michigan is referred to as Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). A conviction for this offense remains on your driving record in the state permanently. In Michigan, it is considered a crime for a driver over the age of 21 to have a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of 0.08 or higher. For drivers under 21, the BAC limit is 0.02. Note that Michigan has a high-BAC law with stricter penalties for people caught driving with a BAC of 0.17 or higher.

Still, motorists may be arrested at any BAC level if they show signs of impairment while driving a motor vehicle. Michigan has one of the lowest rates of drunk-driving-related deaths. Michigan records about 270 DUI arrests per 100,000 drivers and 3.9 DUI road fatalities per 100,000 drivers.

For a first-time Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) offense in Michigan, penalties vary based on the driver's Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) at the time of arrest.

If the BAC is below 0.17, the penalties include:

• A fine of up to $500
• A jail sentence of up to 93 days
• Up to 360 hours of community service
• A driver's license suspension for up to 180 days
• 6 points added to the driver's record

For a first offense with a BAC of 0.17 or higher, the penalties increase significantly:

• A fine of up to $700
• A jail sentence of up to 180 days
• Up to 360 hours of community service
• A driver's license suspension for up to one year
• 6 points on the driver's license
• Mandatory completion of an alcohol treatment program
• Ignition interlock device (IID) installation required for restricted driving privileges after a 45-day suspension

Convicted individuals with restricted licenses must install and use an approved ignition interlock device at their own expense. They are prohibited from driving any vehicle without the device properly installed and maintained. Additionally, drivers who refuse a breath test for the first time face an automatic one-year driver's license suspension.

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Michigan?

Speed limit guidelines in Michigan are outlined under Section 257.627 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. While the laws state that drivers must operate at a reasonable and prudent speed for the conditions in which they are driving, it also sets default speed limits such as:

• 15 mph in mobile home parks
• 25 mph in residential areas, business districts, school zones, and public parks
• 45 mph in work zones
• 55 mph on general gravel roads and trunk lines or county highways
• 70 mph in freeways

It is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit, even by 5 miles per hour. Drivers who violate speed limit laws are subject to civil infractions, which carry penalties including a fine of up to $100, points on their driver's license, and court costs that can also reach up to $100. By law, the fine for a speeding violation classified as a civil infraction cannot exceed $100, as specified in MCL 257.907(2)(a). Additionally, courts are not permitted to impose more than $100 in associated costs, as per MCL 257.907(4).

Also, the number of points added to a driver's license for speeding depends on how much the driver exceeded the speed limit:

• More than 15 mph over the limit results in 4 points
• More than 10 mph but up to 15 mph over the limit incurs 3 points
• More than 5 mph but up to 10 mph over the limit results in 2 points.
• More than 1 mph but up to 5 mph over the limit carries 1 point.

Per MCL 257.601b(3), a driver is guilty of a felony if they go over the maximum limit in a school bus or work zone and cause the death of another person in the zone. This offense is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment, $7,5000, or both.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Michigan?

A speeding ticket in Michigan typically stays on a driver's record for seven years. However, the associated points from the violation remain on the record for two years from the date of the offense.

How to Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

If you choose to contest your traffic ticket in Michigan, you may do so in the following ways:

• Challenging Radar Gun Accuracy: Radar guns used to detect speed must be properly calibrated and maintained. If the officer's radar device was not recently tested or maintained according to regulations, its accuracy may be questioned.
• Arguing Procedural Mistakes: Law enforcement officers must adhere to specific protocols when issuing citations. Errors in the ticket, such as incorrect information about the time, location, or vehicle description, may be grounds for dismissal.
• Proving Speed Limit Was Not Posted: Drivers must have clear visibility of speed limit signs to comply with traffic laws. If a sign was missing, obstructed by foliage, damaged, or poorly lit, you may argue that you were unaware of the speed limit. Photographic evidence or witness testimony may be required to support this defense.
• Necessity Defense: In certain emergencies, exceeding the speed limit may be justified. For instance, driving faster to transport someone to the hospital or avoiding a collision could constitute a necessity defense.
• Questioning the Officer's Observations: Officers often rely on visual estimates and subjective judgment in some cases. If you believe the officer's assessment was inaccurate, your attorney may cross-examine the officer in court or introduce evidence like dashcam footage to challenge the credibility of the report.

However, it is recommended that you hire a traffic attorney if the violation involves severe penalties, such as license suspension, high fines, or jail time. Additionally, legal representation is advisable if you are facing a repeat offense or if contesting the ticket may prevent significant increases in insurance premiums.

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

The Driver's License Compact (DLC) and the Non-Resident Violator Compact are two reciprocal agreements per driver convictions in the United States. States that are members of the DLC share traffic ticket convictions of drivers with other states, while member states of the NRVC suspend driver's license of anyone who fails to pay or resolve moving violations in another state.

Although Michigan is not a member of the DLC and NVRC, the state may have agreements with other states and hence still penalize a driver who fails to pay their out-of-state traffic ticket.

• Request a Court Hearing: Many states allow you to plead not guilty and request a hearing. You may need to attend in person, though some courts offer virtual or written hearing options.
• Hire a Local Traffic Attorney: Consider hiring a traffic attorney within the state where the ticket was issued. They may represent you in court and may be able to negotiate a reduction in fines or penalties.
• Provide Evidence: Present supporting evidence to contest the ticket, such as witness statements, photographs, or dashcam footage that disproves the officer's claims.
• Negotiate a Plea: Some states allow drivers to negotiate a plea deal, which could reduce fines or prevent points from being added to your record.
• Attend Traffic School: In some cases, completing a traffic school course can help reduce points or dismiss the violation. This is subject to the state's regulations.

How Do Michigan Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

While seatbelt requirements, rules for yielding, and other traffic laws are shared by all states, the specifics of these rules may differ from one jurisdiction to another. Some unique traffic laws in Michigan include the following:

• Flashing Yellow Arrows for Left Turns: A flashing yellow arrow allows drivers to make a left turn when oncoming traffic is clear, which differs from the traditional green arrow system used in many states.
• Four-Way Stop Rule for Power Outages: If a traffic signal loses power, Michigan law requires drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop unless other traffic control devices are present.
• Golf Carts and ORVs: Michigan has specific laws governing the use of golf carts and off-road vehicles (ORVs) on public roads, which may not be as common in other states.