Michigan Driver License: Your Driving Record, Points, Alcohol and Drugs

26 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Your Driving Record, Points, Alcohol and Drugs. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver repeatedly shows poor skill and disregard for traffic laws. What can happen to their driving privileges as a result?

They can only be fined, never restricted
Nothing can happen until a fatality occurs
They can be restricted, suspended, or revoked
Only a court, never the Secretary of State, can take action

Answer: C — They can be restricted, suspended, or revoked

Driving is a privilege, not a right, and can be restricted, suspended or revoked for failing to show skill and knowledge.

2. How long do most convictions remain on a driving record?

They are removed after one year
At least two years
At least ten years
At least seven years

Answer: D — At least seven years

Most convictions stay on the record for at least seven years.

3. A driver is convicted of impaired driving that results in a fatality. How long does that conviction stay on the driving record?

Seven years
Permanently
Two years
Ten years

Answer: B — Permanently

A conviction for a fatality or impaired driving stays on the record permanently.

4. An insurance company requests a driver's personal record information to set insurance rates. Is releasing that information allowed?

No, personal information can never be released to anyone
Yes, insurance rating is a permissible use
Yes, but only rental car companies may ever request it
No, only courts may request driving records

Answer: B — Yes, insurance rating is a permissible use

Personal information is released only for permissible uses, which include insurance rating.

5. A driver decides to ignore a traffic ticket instead of responding to it. What typically happens?

Only a small late fee is added
The license is usually suspended
Points are waived since there was no conviction
The ticket is automatically dismissed

Answer: B — The license is usually suspended

Ignoring a ticket usually leads to a license suspension.

6. A driver already has a suspended license and receives a new ticket. What additional consequence follows?

Additional suspensions and a reinstatement fee
The suspension is automatically lifted early
Only points are added, with no fee
The new ticket is void because the license is already suspended

Answer: A — Additional suspensions and a reinstatement fee

Tickets received while suspended add further suspensions plus a reinstatement fee.

7. When are points actually posted to a driver's record for a moving violation?

Only after the second ticket within a year
Only after a conviction
As soon as the ticket is issued
When the insurance company reports it

Answer: B — Only after a conviction

Points are posted only after a conviction for a moving violation, not at the time of the ticket.

8. From the date of conviction, how long do points remain on a driving record?

Seven years
Ten years
Two years
Permanently

Answer: C — Two years

Points stay on the record for two years from the conviction date, a shorter period than the general conviction retention rules.

9. A driver accumulates 12 points within a two-year period. What is a likely result?

Nothing happens unless a fatality was involved
The insurance company directly suspends the license
A driver assessment reexamination may be required
The points are automatically forgiven after 12

Answer: C — A driver assessment reexamination may be required

Reaching 12 or more points in two years requires a driver assessment reexamination.

10. A driver is convicted of reckless driving. How many points are added to the record?

Answer: D — 6

Reckless driving is one of the violations in the highest, 6-point category.

11. A driver is caught traveling 13 mph over the posted speed limit. How many points are added to the record?

Answer: C — 3

13 mph over the limit falls in the 11 to 15 mph over bracket, worth 3 points.

12. A person compares a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor. How do these drinks compare in alcohol and effect on the body?

Wine affects the body faster than beer or liquor
Beer has noticeably less alcohol than the other two
They hold the same alcohol and affect the body the same way
Only the liquor causes measurable impairment

Answer: C — They hold the same alcohol and affect the body the same way

A standard beer, glass of wine, and shot hold the same amount of alcohol and affect the body the same way.

13. Someone has had exactly one alcoholic drink and feels fine to drive. What is actually true about their driving ability?

Even one drink impairs driving, reaction time, concentration and vision
Impairment only begins once the legal limit is reached
One drink has no measurable effect on driving ability
One drink affects vision only, not reaction time

Answer: A — Even one drink impairs driving, reaction time, concentration and vision

Even one drink impairs driving, slows reaction, dulls concentration and disturbs vision.

14. Someone who has been drinking wants to sober up quickly with coffee before driving. Will this work?

Only if paired with exercise and fresh air
Yes, if combined with a cold shower
No, only time sobers a person up
Yes, coffee speeds up alcohol metabolism

Answer: C — No, only time sobers a person up

Only time sobers a person; coffee, cold showers, exercise and fresh air do not.

15. A friend who has been drinking insists on driving home. What is the recommended action?

Have them drink coffee first, then drive
Take their keys and arrange another way home
Let them drive slowly and carefully
Only step in if they seem severely impaired

Answer: B — Take their keys and arrange another way home

The guidance is to never ride with someone who has been drinking and to take their keys if necessary.

16. A person is convicted of drug possession but was not driving at the time. Does this affect their driving license?

Only manufacture or distribution convictions affect the license, not possession
No, license actions only apply to driving-related offenses
The license is suspended only if impaired at the time of arrest
Yes, drug convictions suspend the license even if not driving

Answer: D — Yes, drug convictions suspend the license even if not driving

Drug convictions suspend the license even if the person was not driving, and this includes possession, manufacture or distribution.

17. A driver with no prior drug violations is convicted of a drug offense. What suspension applies, and how soon can they get a restricted license?

One year suspension, no restricted license for 60 days
Permanent suspension with no restricted license ever
Six months suspension, no restricted license for 60 days
Six months suspension, no restricted license for the first 30 days

Answer: D — Six months suspension, no restricted license for the first 30 days

With no prior drug violations the suspension is six months, with no restricted license for the first 30 days.

18. A driver already has a prior drug conviction from within the past seven years and is convicted again. What suspension applies?

Permanent revocation with no restricted license
Six months, with no restricted license for 30 days
One year, with no restricted license for 60 days
Two years, with no restricted license for 90 days

Answer: C — One year, with no restricted license for 60 days

A prior drug conviction within seven years raises the suspension to one year, with no restricted license for 60 days.

19. Beyond the suspension period itself, what additional cost applies when reinstating a license after a drug conviction?

A $93 processing fee
A separate $125 reinstatement fee
No additional fee beyond the suspension
A $500 fine only

Answer: B — A separate $125 reinstatement fee

A separate $125 reinstatement fee applies on top of the suspension period.

20. A 22-year-old wants to transport marijuana in a vehicle. What amount are they legally allowed to carry?

2.5 ounces or less, no more than 15 grams as concentrate
Any amount, since there is no limit for adults
5 ounces or less, with no separate concentrate limit
1 ounce or less only, with no separate concentrate limit

Answer: A — 2.5 ounces or less, no more than 15 grams as concentrate

Adults 21 and older may transport 2.5 ounces or less, with a 15-gram limit for concentrate.

21. A passenger wants to smoke marijuana while riding in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public road. Is this legal?

Yes, if the passenger is over 21
Yes, as long as the vehicle is parked on a public road
Yes, as long as the driver is not impaired
No, smoking in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public road is illegal

Answer: D — No, smoking in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public road is illegal

Smoking marijuana in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public road is illegal.

22. An officer suspects a driver is impaired by marijuana and requests a chemical test, but the driver refuses. What makes that refusal have consequences?

A separate marijuana-specific consent form signed at the stop
There is no consequence for refusing a marijuana chemical test
Implied consent, agreed to when applying for or renewing a license
Consent applies only if the driver owns the vehicle

Answer: C — Implied consent, agreed to when applying for or renewing a license

Under implied consent, every driver already agreed to such tests when applying for or renewing a license, and refusing brings a suspension.

23. A driver is convicted of driving under the influence of marijuana. What penalties can they face?

Up to one year in jail and 12 points
Up to 30 days in jail and a $125 fine only
Up to 93 days in jail, up to $500, suspension, and six points
A warning only, since marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older

Answer: C — Up to 93 days in jail, up to $500, suspension, and six points

Driving under the influence of marijuana carries the same penalties as alcohol: up to 93 days in jail, up to $500, suspension and six points.

24. A driver is involved in three or more crashes causing injury or damage within a two-year period. What could result?

Automatic permanent revocation with no review
Nothing unless points also reach 12
Only a fine, never a reexamination
A driver reexamination may be ordered

Answer: D — A driver reexamination may be ordered

A reexamination may be ordered after three or more crashes with injury or damage in two years.

25. A newly licensed teen holds a probationary or GDL license and commits one or two violations. Compared to a fully licensed adult, how might their review timeline differ?

They get the same treatment as fully licensed drivers, no earlier review
They are exempt from reexamination until age 21
They must reach 12 points, the same as any other driver
They may be called in for reexamination after only one or two violations

Answer: D — They may be called in for reexamination after only one or two violations

Probationary and graduated license drivers may be called in for reexamination after only one or two violations, sooner than fully licensed drivers.

26. A driver is ordered in for a medical reexamination. What might this involve?

Only a road test, with no medical information needed
A blood alcohol test only
Only a written knowledge test
Vision, written and road tests along with current medical information

Answer: D — Vision, written and road tests along with current medical information

A medical reexamination may require vision, written and road tests plus current medical information.