Michigan Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
8 common Michigan violations with typical fine ranges, plus how the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) handles points.
🔎Michigan Traffic Fines at a Glance
- Typical fines
- $25–$500
- Point system
- Yes
- Traffic school
- Available
- Records kept by
- Michigan Secretary of State (SOS)
Of the 8 Michigan violations below, the lowest typical fine is for seat belt violation ($25–$65) and the highest is for driving without insurance ($200–$500).
Speeding fines climb across 3 tiers, from $100–$155 (speeding 1–10 mph over) to $155–$250 (speeding 16+ mph over).
Ranges only, not legal advice. Your actual Michigan fine depends on the county, the court, and your record, and court costs are added on top. For a criminal charge such as DUI or reckless driving, consult a licensed Michigan attorney.
📋Common Michigan Violations & Typical Fines
Base-fine ranges; Michigan court costs are extra.
| Violation | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
Speeding 1–10 MPH over 2 points | $100–$155 |
Speeding 11–15 MPH over 3 points | $125–$155 |
Speeding 16+ MPH over Doubled in active construction zones. 4 points | $155–$250 |
Running a red light 3 points | $125–$200 |
Running a stop sign 3 points | $125–$155 |
Seat belt violation | $25–$65 |
Hand-held cell phone (statewide ban as of 2023) $100 first / $250 second / triple fines if a crash occurs while violating. | $100–$250 |
Driving without insurance Plus possible license suspension and vehicle impoundment; misdemeanor charge. | $200–$500 |
Estimate what your Michigan ticket will really cost
The fine on the ticket is rarely the total. Pick the violation to add court costs, points, suspension risk and the likely insurance impact in Michigan.
Pick the speeding tier that matches how fast you were going over the limit. Michigan typically breaks speeding into different tiers — choose the right one above for the most accurate estimate.
Based on the fine ranges listed on this page. Open the full estimator to compare other states.
🎯How Michigan's Point System Works
Michigan SOS assigns 2–6 points per moving violation. Points stay on your driving record for 2 years from the date of the violation.
12 points within 24 months requires a re-examination by the Secretary of State and may result in license restriction, suspension, or revocation.
🎓Traffic School & Defensive Driving
Michigan Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) is a one-time-only opportunity that prevents the conviction from appearing on your driving record (and from raising your insurance). Eligibility limited to 3-point or lower violations and a clean recent record. Course cost is approximately $100–$150.
📝Got a Michigan Ticket?
- Before paying a moving violation, check whether you qualify for Michigan's traffic-school option (see above) — it can keep the conviction off your record.
- Each conviction counts toward Michigan's suspension threshold, so a cheap ticket can still matter.
🔗Official Michigan Sources
For exact, current penalties, check the official Michigan sources:
Sourced from public Michigan statutes and Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) publications; may not reflect the latest amendments. usdriverguide.com is not affiliated with the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS), any Michigan court, or any law enforcement agency. Full disclaimer.