Get Your License Back
A DUI arrest can immediately raise serious concerns—especially about your ability to keep driving. Many people facing charges wonder whether a conviction will automatically mean losing their license. In Michigan, the answer depends on several factors, including the specific charge and whether you have prior DUI offenses.
For a first offense Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) conviction, drivers typically face a 30-day license suspension followed by 150 days of restricted driving privileges. Restricted licenses may allow driving only for essential activities like work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered treatment. If the case involves a high BAC of 0.17 or higher, penalties increase to 45 days of suspension and 320 days of restricted driving with an ignition interlock device.
Some drivers are instead convicted of Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI). While this charge is less severe, it still carries consequences. A first OWVI offense often results in 90 days of restricted driving privileges, and the conviction becomes part of your driving record.
The most serious license consequences occur with multiple DUI convictions. Under Michigan law, drivers who receive two DUI convictions within seven years or three within ten years face automatic license revocation. Unlike a suspension, a revocation does not automatically end after a set period—you must apply for driver’s license restoration in Michigan to legally drive again.
If your license has been revoked, there may still be a path forward. Attorney Dan Geherin helps Michigan drivers pursue driver’s license restoration and prepare the evidence needed to demonstrate sobriety and responsibility.
If you’re dealing with license consequences after a DUI, scheduling a consultation can help you understand your options and take the first step toward restoring your driving privileges.
