The 2018 MVR Access and Decoder Digest Michigan

1 The 2018 MVR Access and Decoder Digest Michigan 373 Michigan Administration Important Telephone and Web Contacts Director Office Driver and Vehicle Records Division Department of State 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing 48918 888-767-6424 Driver Driving Records ..517-322-1624 Financial Responsibility & 517-322-6406 Commercial Driver 888-767-6424 Vehicle Information ..888-767-6424 State 517-332-2521 State Department of Insurance .. 877-999-6442 Send questions to: Driver's License Format, Issuance, and Renewal License Classes, Restrictions, and Endorsements Appear Later in This Chapter License Format The format is one letter followed by twelve numbers. The numbers are coded as follows: three numbers for the last name, three numbers for the first name, three numbers for the middle name, and three numbers for the birth month and day.

2 Because a small number of drivers' names and birth dates have the same number, MI began using the first initial of the last name with the code 726 or 727 to assign drivers a unique driver license number. Document Appearance Michigan is not yet Real ID compliant, but has received an extension until October 10, 2018 from REAL ID enforcement. The SOS Office provides an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) and ID as an alternative to the standard license and ID. The Enhanced driver's license or ID card contains a Radio Frequency Identification chip to facilitate border crossings and homeland security efforts. The unique reference number assigned to the RFID chip allows the Customs and Border Protection agent to quickly and accurately verify identity and citizenship.

3 Both the regular license and Enhanced license have the same characteristics shown below. Appearance: A digital image document with signature. Security Characteristics: Magnetic strip and bar code with a PolaPrime UV security feature only visible under black light. Position of Photo: Bottom left, since 07/01/03 a ghost image appears in upper right. Minor Age Driver Locator: Under 21 Until dd/mm/yy appears above photo. Since 07/01/03 those under the age of 21 are issued a vertical (portrait) style driver license. CDL Indicator: COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE printed in green above license number. Registered Sex Offender Indicator: None Issuance As mentioned, to comply with the REAL ID Act, the state issues an Enhanced License. Only citizens are eligible to apply for an enhanced driver's license or state ID card.

4 The requirements and list of acceptable documents for proof of identity for the Enhanced License including residency and validation of the SSN are at Age Requirements One must be at least 16 years old to take a driving skills test. One must pass a driving skills test if never been licensed before and is applying for an original driver's license, or if the driver's license has been expired for more than four years. A graduated licensing for drivers up to 18 years old includes three levels. A full description of this program is found in the Section about License Classes. Individuals with a valid out-of-state operator's license applying for a Michigan chauffeur's license, Commercial Driver License or a motorcycle endorsement, or whose license has been expired for at least four years, must pass the required written or driving skills tests before a license can be issued.

5 Residency A Michigan license must be secured immediately upon establishing residency. Proof of residency is required at driver's license application. Renewal Renewal is based on the birth month of fourth year. A driver keeps same license number when renewing, even if there is a change in name or date of birth. A driver's license can be renewal by mail or in-person at a branch, and online but only for an operator, chauffer or moped license and not for CDL. See: Elderly-Related Restrictions None reported by the state. Vehicle Insurance, Title, and Registration Facts Registration Renewal All motor vehicles and trailers used on Michigan roads must be registered and display valid license plates. Renewal for passenger vehicles is set at one year. Trailers and trailer coaches are registered with a permanent, non-expiring trailer plate based on the unit s weight.

6 These trailer plates are non-transferable. Renewal is available online 24/7 at Owners can use this service if the renewal notice contains a PIN (proof of mandatory insurance) and if the owner s name, and vehicle information are all correct. If not, renewal must be done at a branch office or by mail or telephone. New Residents New residents must title and register their vehicles immediately. Non-residents must register vehicles after ninety days. Motor vehicles, trailer coaches, trailers weighing 2,500 pounds or more empty, off-road vehicles, pickup campers, and watercraft 20 feet and over or with a permanently affixed engine must be titled Inspections and Emissions Testing Michigan has no statewide provisions for either emission testing or vehicle safety inspections.

7 Michigan The 2018 MVR Access and Decoder Digest 374 Passenger Plate Facts There is one plate, one decal with the plate number and both expiration month and year. Current renewals are issued one decal with expiration month, year and plate number. The county of issuance is not shown or coded on the plate. An owner may purchase a plate in any county. When a vehicle is sold, plates remain with the owner. Insurance and Financial Responsibility The state has a compulsory no-fault insurance law. Proof of insurance must be presented when purchasing a registration and must be shown at the request of a law enforcement officer. About 80% of proofs of insurance are obtained through an Electronic Insurance Verification (EIV) program. Customers whose insurers participate in this program receive a Personal Identification Number (PIN) as proof of insurance.

8 Minimum financial responsibility limits are $20,000/40,000/10,000. A driver's license may be suspended if the driver fails to satisfy a Financial Responsibility (FR) court judgment within thirty days for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle. A suspension becomes effective thirty days after preparation of suspension order, and remains in effect until the driver satisfies the judgment. A restricted license may be issued to the driver if the court approves a partial-payment agreement and proof of financial responsibility insurance is provided. Withdrawal Sanctions, and Alcohol and Drug Testing Alcohol and Chemical Testing Limits Under Michigan law, it is illegal to drive: While intoxicated or impaired by, alcohol, illegal drugs, and certain prescribed medications.

9 With a bodily alcohol content of or more (driving while intoxicated). With any presence of a Schedule 1 drug or cocaine. If under age 21 it is against the law: To drive with a bodily alcohol content of or greater, or have any presence of alcohol other than that consumed at a generally recognized religious ceremony. To buy, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages. One may transport alcohol in a vehicle only when accompanied by an adult age 21 or older. If caught with alcohol in a vehicle and if no adult accompanying, the young driver you can be charged with a misdemeanor, whether on the road or in a parking lot. Suspensions and Revocations The agency provides extensive information about suspensions and revocations, including corresponding statutes, shown at See the Appendix for a list of the federally mandated disqualifications for offenses occurring in a CMV per MCSIA.

10 Since October 31, 2010, a person convicted of Operating with Blood Alcohol Content of .17 or More (HBAC) receives an automatic one-year suspension. This can be amended to a restricted license after the 1st 45 days of suspension has been served and the installation of an Interlock Device is installed. The restrictions are valid for the remainder of the one-year HBAC suspension period. This also affects a driver's CDL privileges; the privilege to operate a commercial vehicle is suspended/revoked even if the driver was operating a non-commercial vehicle. Habitual-Offender Revocation Persons who repeatedly operate a motor vehicle during periods of suspension, revocation, and/or denial or who repeatedly violate the state's drinking/driving laws are subject to repeat offender penalties.