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Points On Your License

MCL 257.320a — what each violation costs, and the 9 point interview

The Secretary of State records points for each conviction, civil infraction determination or probate court disposition not more than 5 days after receiving the court's abstract, by the schedule in the section.

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The violationPoints
The violationManslaughter, negligent homicide, or a felony resulting from operating a motor vehiclePoints6
The violationOperating while intoxicated, and the other section 625 violations listed at this levelPoints6
The violationFailing to stop and disclose identity at an accident when requiredPoints6
The violationFleeing or eluding an officerPoints6
The violationMore than 15 mph over the limitPoints4
The violationOperating while visibly impaired, or a driver under 21 with any bodily alcohol contentPoints4
The violationA moving violation resulting in an at fault collisionPoints4
The violationMore than 10 and up to 15 mph overPoints3
The violationCareless drivingPoints3
The violationDisobeying a traffic signal or stop sign, or improper passingPoints3
The violationMore than 5 and up to 10 mph overPoints2
The violationAn open container in the passenger areaPoints2
The violationA driver under 21 refusing a preliminary breath testPoints2
The violationAll other moving violationsPoints2
The violationMore than 1 and up to 5 mph overPoints1

When one incident produces more than 1 conviction or determination, points are entered only for the one carrying the most. No points are entered for bond forfeitures, overweight loads or defective equipment.

9 points can mean a call in. Once a driver has accumulated 9 points, the Secretary of State may call the driver in, after notice of the time and place, for an interview about driving ability and record. Not appearing adds 3 points.

A license suspended or denied for refusing a chemical test carries 6 points, with no further points for a conviction from the same incident.

Speeding in a work zone has its own scale in the section. How long points stay on a record, and what the Secretary of State does at higher totals, are set out in other sections and are not covered here.

Sources for this section (3)
  1. MCL 257.320a — Points recorded for each violation
  2. MCL 257.625 — Operating while intoxicated, and operating while visibly impaired
  3. MCL 257.625f — License sanctions for refusing a chemical test

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.

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Walked through

This section is the long version of a step in one walkthrough. Each one takes the same law one decision at a time, with both sides of the moment written out.