Michigan Traffic School and the Basic Driver Improvement Course (2026)
Ticket in Michigan, license from another state?
This page is written for drivers who hold a Michigan license. If you got the ticket in Michiganbut your license is from another state, different rules decide what reaches your home state's record and whether a course helps.
Read the out-of-state ticket guideMichigan license, ticket from another state? Same guide, other direction.
Michigan Traffic School: Key Facts (2026)
- Ticket dismissal
- No, invitation-only via the Secretary of State
- Course length
- 4 hours (BDIC)
- Eligibility
- Valid non-commercial Michigan license, 2 or fewer points on record at time of violation, ticket must be eligible (3 points or fewer, not for careless/negligent driving), violation not in a commercial motor vehicle, issued after 12/31/2010, and you must have received the SOS eligibility letter. You have 60 days from the notice to complete. No extensions.
- Certificate submission
- School Submits
Last verified August 2026
Michigan drivers can avoid points and prevent insurer notification by completing a Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) under MCL 257.320d, but the program is once in a lifetime and only offered when the Secretary of State sends a notice of eligibility. To qualify, you need a valid non-commercial Michigan license with 2 or fewer points already on record, and the ticket must carry 3 points or fewer and not involve careless or negligent driving. The course is at least 4 hours, capped by state law at $100, and must be completed within 60 days of the eligibility notice. There are no extensions. Passing means the ticket appears on your driving record but the points and the insurer-reportable detail are withheld; failing the course or missing the 60-day window means full point assessment.
The True Cost of a Ticket in Michigan
Michigan drivers pay the highest hidden bill in America for a speeding ticket. The fine for a routine 10-mph-over violation is about $135. What comes next is the story: the three-year insurance surcharge for a single ticket in Michigan runs $8,607 (CarInsurance.com/Quadrant Information Services, June 2026), the biggest state-level jump in the country. All-in, that's $8,742. The fine is less than 2% of the total bill. The offset that changes the math is the Basic Driver Improvement Course. Completing the BDIC keeps the ticket off the insurer-visible portion of your record, which is what triggers the surcharge in the first place. State law caps the course fee at $100. Drivers who complete a BDIC when they receive their SOS eligibility letter (60-day window, once per driving career) can prevent thousands in insurance costs for the price of a night of takeout. The catch: BDIC is a one-time benefit and the state decides who gets the letter. If you receive one, act fast.
Handled through an official program, not a retail online course
There is no self-serve online course that resolves a Michigan ticket on its own. Any required course runs through an official program, set by the court on your citation or your state licensing agency, so contact them about your options before paying for any course.
MichiganTraffic School Rules & Requirements
Online Status
Court program only
Course length: 4 hours (BDIC)
Eligibility
Valid non-commercial Michigan license, 2 or fewer points on record at time of violation, ticket must be eligible (3 points or fewer, not for careless/negligent driving), violation not in a commercial motor vehicle, issued after 12/31/2010, and you must have received the SOS eligibility letter. You have 60 days from the notice to complete. No extensions.
Court Acceptance
Michigan's Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) is an invitation-only program. You must receive an eligibility letter from the Michigan Secretary of State. You cannot enroll voluntarily. Completing the BDIC prevents points from being added to your driving record AND keeps the ticket information hidden from your insurance company. The ticket itself still appears on your driving record for court access. BDIC does NOT dismiss the ticket. You still have to pay the fine. Out-of-state tickets and CDL violations are not eligible. Last checked September 2026.
Certificate Submission
School Submits
Official DMV
Notes
State-mandated course length: 4 hours minimum (no maximum). Fee capped at $100 by Michigan law. SOS sends eligibility letter triggered by qualifying ticket. Drivers have 60 days to enrol. One-time-only for point avoidance. Course sponsor reports completion electronically. Does NOT dismiss ticket or remove fine. Does NOT remove existing points from record. Prevents new points from being added. Out-of-state tickets and CDL violations ineligible. Insurance discount (typically up to 10% for 3 years) may be available voluntarily from some insurers, separate from the BDIC program itself.
Michigan Traffic School FAQ
Who submits my certificate in Michigan?
Your course provider notifies the Michigan Secretary of State electronically, typically within 1–2 business days of completion. You will also receive a certificate by mail, but you do not need to submit it anywhere yourself. The school handles state reporting.
Does Michigan traffic school dismiss my ticket?
Michigan’s Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) does not dismiss your ticket. Instead, it allows eligible drivers to avoid points being added to their record for the cited violation. You must receive an eligibility notice from the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) before you can enroll. You cannot self-select into the program.
How long do I have to complete the Michigan BDIC after I am notified?
Eligibility is controlled by the Michigan SOS, which mails a notification when you qualify. You must complete the course within 60 days of receiving the eligibility letter. You cannot enroll without this notification.
Can I do Michigan BDIC online?
Yes. Michigan Secretary of State-approved online BDIC courses are available.
How long is the Michigan BDIC?
The Michigan BDIC is a minimum of 4 hours. Courses cannot legally charge more than $100.
How often can I do Michigan driver improvement?
Michigan's BDIC benefit is available only ONCE IN A LIFETIME, not on a periodic cooldown cycle. Once you have used it, you cannot use it again for any future ticket.
DMV-licensed online traffic schools in Michigan
Directory data coming soon. We're collecting the official Michigan DMV listing.