Surrendering Driver's License In Michigan State

In Michigan, voluntary surrender occurs when a licensee chooses to surrender their license voluntarily or agrees not to renew their license, usually to resolve outstanding complaints rather than revocation or suspension. Voluntary surrender is frequently regarded as a proactive action and is preferable to having the sanction of revocation or suspension on their record.

Surrendering License VS License Suspension

Your state's DMV determines the distinction between surrendering your license and suspending it. In most cases, however, surrendering a license is voluntary, whereas the law requires suspension.
  • Voluntary surrender is usually due to a medical condition or relocating. While your license is technically suspended when you surrender it, it has none of the negative consequences that a license suspension does.
  • A license suspension is typically imposed due to an excessive number of tickets, violations, accidents, or driving while uninsured.
Because these are all negative events, having a suspended license or a previous suspension can also significantly impact your car insurance rate. While you should only need to take a test or speak with the DMV to regain your license after voluntarily surrendering it, more is required when it has been suspended. Drivers with suspended licenses in Michigan must carry SR-22 car insurance and pay a fee to reinstate their license. If you are unsure about your license status or require more information about a previous surrender, you can contact the DMV directly or request a copy of your driving record.

How To Surrender Your Driver's License

You must present your driver's license to surrender it and receive an ID at an office. If your license is more than four years old, you must provide the following documents to receive your ID:
  • Proof of your Social Security number
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of citizenship or legal presence
  • Proof of Michigan residency (two documents)
For out-of-state residents who need to surrender a license by mail, send a written and signed request, along with the actual license, to: Michigan Department of State Driver Records Activity Unit 7064 Crowner Drive Lansing, MI 48918 A vehicle can be titled in your name without a license, but to keep the registration and plate, a licensed adult must be listed on the registration. A registration hold cannot exist on your record. You should also check with your insurance company to see if they have any requirements.

Moving Out Of State

When you relocate out of state, your Michigan license will be canceled in our records once your new state of residence notifies us that a new license has been issued. If you return to Michigan, you must reapply for a Michigan license and provide new proof of residency.

License Plate And License ID

A vehicle can be titled in your name without a license, but to keep the registration and plate, a licensed adult must be listed on the registration. A registration hold cannot exist on your record. You should also check with your insurance company to see if they have any requirements. A vehicle can be titled in your name without a license, but to keep the registration and plate, a licensed adult must be listed on the registration. A registration hold cannot exist on your record. You should also check with your insurance company to see if they have any requirements. You can continue to renew your license to use it as legal identification, or you can voluntarily surrender your license and obtain an ID. Because you will need to take a new photo, this transaction requires an in-person visit.

Inability To Drive

When there is reason to believe a driver may be unable to operate a motor vehicle safely, Michigan law allows the Department of State to reexamine them. To identify unsafe drivers, the department relies on information from law enforcement, medical personnel, Secretary of State branch staff, and concerned citizens, including family members. To request a review of an individual's driving skills, the Department of State provides a form, Request for Driver Evaluation (OC-88), which can be completed and submitted to the Driver Assessment Section. Your local Secretary of State's office can also obtain this form. The form will request information about the driver and the incident or pattern of behavior that warrants an evaluation. You must include your name, address, phone number, and signature. This information will be kept private to the extent permitted by law.

Reinstate Your License

If you want to re-establish your driver's license after it was revoked, the knowledge and skills tests are waived if the canceled license expiration date is still current or has expired within the last four years. Suppose the canceled license has been inactive for more than four years. In that case, you must retake the vision and written knowledge tests, obtain a temporary instruction permit, and pass a driving skills test administered by a driver testing company. The 30-day practice period is not required. If your license was canceled due to a medical condition, or if Driver Assessment revoked your license due to a medical condition, you must complete a DA-4P Physician's Statement and submit it for review before it can be issued.