Michigan Bad Driver Law
Effective October 1, 2003 new drunk driving laws came into effect. The blood-alcohol level standard for a person to be considered intoxicated has been lowered from .10 to .08. In the past, drivers at .08 or .09 were presumed "impaired". Police can now charge motorists with driving under the influence if they have been drinking and exhibit signs of being impaired.
A conviction for drunk driving can be punished by up to 93 days in jail, $500 in fines and up to 360 hours of community service. Additionally, one's license can be suspended. Under the Bad Driver Law, "driver responsibility fees" can now also be levied. If convicted of a serious driving offense, you could face
annual charges $500 to $1,000 for two years in order to renew your license.
Driver Responsibility Fees
The Driver Responsiblity bills arose in the legislature and were signed by the governor in an effort to encourage bad drivers to drive responsibly. The Secretary of State does NOT set the fees: the fees have been determined by the legislature in the crafting of the bills and by the governor in signing them into law.
Ninety percent (90%) of Michigan's 7.1 million drivers have no points against their driving records. The new law requires the Secretary of State to collect a fee every year that a driver has six or more points on his/her record. Points are accumulated against a driving record for drivers who are convicted of certain moving violations. These violations, their associated point penalty, and the new license renewal fees are summarized in this table provided by the Secretary of State's office:
| Offense | Points | 2Year Fee |
| Operated under influence of liquor | 6 | $1,000 |
| Unlawful bodily alcohol content (.08) | 6 | $1,000 |
| Combined Operated under influence of liquor and Unlawful bodily alcohol content (.08) | 6 | $1,000 |
| Death | 6 | $1,000 |
| Operating under influence or while impaired causing serious injury | 6 | $1,000 |
| Operated under influence of controlled substance | 6 | $1,000 |
| Child endangerment | 6 | $500 |
| Operated while impaired by liquor | 4 | $500 |
| Operated while impaired by controlled substance | 4 | $500 |
| Combined Operated while impaired by liquor and controlled substance | 6 | $500 |
| Operated CMV w/BAC (blood-alcohol content) | 6 | $1,000 |
| Under 21 BAC (blood-alcohol content) | 4 | $500 |
| Vehicular manslaughter | 6 | $1,000 |
| Negligent homicide | 6 | $1,000 |
| Murder - auto used | 6 | $1,000 |
| Felony - auto used | 6 | $1,000 |
| Felony attempt - auto used | 6 | $1,000 |
| Felonious driving | 6 | $1,000 |
| Fail to stop, identify, hit and run | 6 | $1,000 |
| Fleeing and eluding | 6 | $1,000 |
| Reckless driving | 6 | $500 |
| Drove Unlicensed or invalid license | 2 | $150 |
| No proof of insurance | 0 | $150 |
| No insurance | 0 | $500 |
| Drove while suspended or denied | 2 | $500 |
| Drove while expired | 2 | $150 |
| Snowmobile and alcohol offenses | 6 | $1,000 |