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Georgia vs Michigan

Bottom line

Georgia requires more property-damage coverage than Michigan ($25,000 vs $10,000). Both require an SR-22 filing for certain violations. Michigan generally has lower license-reinstatement costs.

Official government sources Last verified June 2026 36 fields reviewed Source links on every value

Important differences between Georgia and Michigan

The differences drivers should know.

Bodily injury / person
Georgia$25,000
Michigan$50,000
Michigan requires higher bodily-injury coverage.
Bodily injury / accident
Georgia$50,000
Michigan$100,000
Michigan requires higher bodily-injury coverage.
Property damage
Georgia$25,000
Michigan$10,000
Georgia requires more property-damage coverage.
UM/UIM requirement
GeorgiaUM/UIM must be offered at limits equal to the liability coverage (25/50/25); the insured may reject it…
Michiganoptional. Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) bodily injury are both optional in…
Clock starts from
GeorgiaFrom the conviction date (not the suspension or reinstatement date). A coverage lapse during the 3-year…
MichiganFrom the date proof was required (MCL 257.528(1)(a)) — NOT the reinstatement date and NOT the…
Non-owner SR-22
GeorgiaYes — non-owner SR-22/SR-22A available. For a 2nd+ no-insurance suspension, a non-owner SR-22A is…
MichiganYes
License reinstatement
GeorgiaScenario-dependent (DDS fee table, mail/online vs. in person): DUI 1st (21+) $200/$210; No Proof of…
Michigan$125 flat
Michigan costs less to reinstate.
Registration reinstatement
GeorgiaPer the GA Dept. of Revenue lapse rules: a $25 lapse fine for any coverage lapse while the vehicle is…
MichiganN/A
No-insurance, first offense
GeorgiaMisdemeanor: $200-$1,000 fine and/or up to 12 months (§40-6-10). Reducible to a fine of $25 or less…
MichiganMisdemeanor: $200-$500 fine, up to 1 year jail, or both
No-insurance, repeat offense
GeorgiaSame $200-$1,000 criminal range (§40-6-10). A 2nd+ no-insurance conviction requires an SR-22A (or an…
MichiganSame as first: misdemeanor $200-$500, up to 1 year, or both
DUI suspension
Georgia§40-5-63 (5-year window): 1st = 12-month suspension, early reinstatement after 120 days with DUI Risk…
Michigansuspension (1st offense, MCL 257.319(8)): OWI 0.08 (625(1)(a)/(b)) = 180-day suspension, no restricted…
DUI fine range
Georgia§40-6-391 (10-year window, by arrest date, post-2008): 1st misdemeanor $300-$1,000, 10 days-12 mo…
MichiganMCL 257.625 (OWI). 1st (subsec 9): misdemeanor, fine $100-$500 (or $200-$700 if High-BAC), up to 93…
Driving while suspended
Georgia§40-5-121 (5-year window): 1st = misdemeanor, 2 days-12 months + $500-$1,000 (offender fingerprinted);…
MichiganMCL 257.904. 1st violation: misdemeanor, up to 93 days jail or up to $500, plus registration plates…
CDL consequence
GeorgiaGeorgia CDL disqualification (GA DDS Driver's Manual Section 1.3, federal FMCSA structure). 1-year…
MichiganMCL 257.319b. 60 days: 2 serious traffic violations in 36 months. 120 days: 3 in 36 months. 1 year…
View full comparison ↓

Recent law changes

Changes verified from official state sources.

Georgia2025 SB 121 (Act 287), effective May 14, 2025, created O.C.G.A. 33-7-16: enhanced minimum liability coverage for DUI-convicted drivers — 50/100/50…
MichiganMinimum liability limits last changed effective July 1, 2020 (250/500 default + 50/100 floor replacing 20/40, per 2019 PA 21/22). Most recent section…

Full comparison

Every compared field, with the official source on each value.

Coverage

Bodily injury / person
Georgia
$25,000
Official source ↗
Michigan
$50,000
Official source ↗
Bodily injury / accident
Georgia
$50,000
Official source ↗
Michigan
$100,000
Official source ↗
Property damage
Georgia
$25,000
Official source ↗
Michigan
$10,000
Official source ↗
UM/UIM requirement
Georgia
UM/UIM must be offered at limits equal to the liability coverage (25/50/25); the insured may reject it or select lower UM limits in writing (§33-7-11).
Official source ↗
Michigan
optional. Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) bodily injury are both optional in Michigan — the DIFS consumer guide lists them…
Full details
optional. Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) bodily injury are both optional in Michigan — the DIFS consumer guide lists them under optional coverages and its glossary describes both as optional coverages available for purchase. Both are fully optional in Michigan.
Official source ↗

SR-22 / FR-44

SR-22 required same
FR-44 required same
Filing duration same
Georgia
3 years
Official source ↗
Michigan
3 years
Official source ↗
Clock starts from
Georgia
From the conviction date (not the suspension or reinstatement date). A coverage lapse during the 3-year period restarts the clock from zero.
Official source ↗
Michigan
From the date proof was required (MCL 257.528(1)(a)) — NOT the reinstatement date and NOT the conviction date. nuance: if the person surrenders the…
Full details
From the date proof was required (MCL 257.528(1)(a)) — NOT the reinstatement date and NOT the conviction date. nuance: if the person surrenders the license/registration and reapplies within the 3-year window, they must reestablish proof for the remainder of the 3 years (257.528(3)) — Michigan tolls the clock rather than restarting it.
Official source ↗
Non-owner SR-22
Georgia
Yes — non-owner SR-22/SR-22A available. For a 2nd+ no-insurance suspension, a non-owner SR-22A is mandatory even if the person does not own a vehicle.
Official source ↗

Costs

SR-22 filing fee same
Georgia
~$15-50 (charged by the insurer, not DDS)
See Georgia sources ↗
Michigan
~$15-50 (charged by the insurer to add the certificate filing, not a SOS fee)
See Michigan sources ↗
License reinstatement
Georgia
Scenario-dependent (DDS fee table, mail/online vs. in person): DUI 1st (21+) $200/$210; No Proof of Insurance 1st $200/$210; No Proof of Insurance…
Full details
Scenario-dependent (DDS fee table, mail/online vs. in person): DUI 1st (21+) $200/$210; No Proof of Insurance 1st $200/$210; No Proof of Insurance 2nd+ $300/$310; Points 1st/2nd/3rd $200/$300/$400 by mail (+$10 in person); Super Speeder $50 (after the $200 Super Speeder fee); Child Support $25/$35; Failure to Appear $90/$100. Driving-while-suspended convictions carry their own ladder $210/$310/$410 (§40-5-121). Drug-DUI reinstatement $200/$310 (§40-5-75).
Official source ↗
Michigan
$125 flat
Official source ↗
Registration reinstatement
Georgia
Per the GA Dept. of Revenue lapse rules: a $25 lapse fine for any coverage lapse while the vehicle is actively registered, plus up to $160 additional…
Full details
Per the GA Dept. of Revenue lapse rules: a $25 lapse fine for any coverage lapse while the vehicle is actively registered, plus up to $160 additional if the $25 is not paid within 30 days. Registration is suspended/refused until all fines are paid and continuous Georgia liability coverage is on file (verified electronically via GEICS). Note: the widely-cited $60 standard registration-reinstatement fee ($160 after three or more suspensions in five years) appears on county tag-office pages, not on the state DOR lapse page, so it is not recorded here as an official figure.
Official source ↗

Penalties

No-insurance, first offense
Georgia
Misdemeanor: $200-$1,000 fine and/or up to 12 months (§40-6-10). Reducible to a fine of $25 or less with no DDS report (no suspension) if the driver…
Full details
Misdemeanor: $200-$1,000 fine and/or up to 12 months (§40-6-10). Reducible to a fine of $25 or less with no DDS report (no suspension) if the driver shows coverage was in force at citation. A 1st no-insurance suspension requires an SR-22 and a $200/$210 reinstatement after a 90-day minimum suspension.
Official source ↗
Michigan
Misdemeanor: $200-$500 fine, up to 1 year jail, or both
Official source ↗
No-insurance, repeat offense
Georgia
Same $200-$1,000 criminal range (§40-6-10). A 2nd+ no-insurance conviction requires an SR-22A (or an SR-22 marked 'Paid In Full') maintained for 3…
Full details
Same $200-$1,000 criminal range (§40-6-10). A 2nd+ no-insurance conviction requires an SR-22A (or an SR-22 marked 'Paid In Full') maintained for 3 years, with $300/$310 reinstatement, a non-owner SR-22A if no vehicle is owned, and no limited permit during the suspension.
Official source ↗
Michigan
Same as first: misdemeanor $200-$500, up to 1 year, or both
Official source ↗
DUI suspension
Georgia
§40-5-63 (5-year window): 1st = 12-month suspension, early reinstatement after 120 days with DUI Risk Reduction Program; 2nd within 5 yrs = 3-year…
Full details
§40-5-63 (5-year window): 1st = 12-month suspension, early reinstatement after 120 days with DUI Risk Reduction Program; 2nd within 5 yrs = 3-year suspension, eligible after 18 months, IID required for 1 year; 3rd within 5 yrs = habitual violator, 5-year revocation (§40-5-62/§40-5-58). Suspension begins on the conviction date.
Official source ↗
Michigan
suspension (1st offense, MCL 257.319(8)): OWI 0.08 (625(1)(a)/(b)) = 180-day suspension, no restricted license during the first 30 days; High-BAC…
Full details
suspension (1st offense, MCL 257.319(8)): OWI 0.08 (625(1)(a)/(b)) = 180-day suspension, no restricted license during the first 30 days; High-BAC 0.17 (625(1)(c)) = 1-year suspension, no restricted during the first 45 days, then restricted with ignition interlock (BAIID); OWVI (625(3)) = 90 days (180 if drug-related), restricted throughout; under-21 zero tolerance (625(6)) = 30 days (90 with a prior). A restricted license under 319(8) may NOT authorize CMV operation (319(15)). revocation (repeat/serious, MCL 257.303): 2 OWI within 7 years, or 3 within 10 years, or a single OWI causing serious injury/death -> revocation; minimum 1 year, or 5 years if a second revocation within 7 years (303(4)); indefinite, no automatic reinstatement. Restoration requires a DAAD hearing rebutting the habitual-offender presumption by clear and convincing evidence.
Official source ↗
DUI fine range
Georgia
§40-6-391 (10-year window, by arrest date, post-2008): 1st misdemeanor $300-$1,000, 10 days-12 mo (judge may probate all but 24 hrs if BAC ≥0.08);…
Full details
§40-6-391 (10-year window, by arrest date, post-2008): 1st misdemeanor $300-$1,000, 10 days-12 mo (judge may probate all but 24 hrs if BAC ≥0.08); 2nd misdemeanor $600-$1,000, 90 days-12 mo (min 72 hrs); 3rd high-and-aggravated misdemeanor $1,000-$5,000, 120 days-12 mo (min 15 days); 4th+ felony $1,000-$5,000, 1-5 years. Name-and-photo publication applies to a 2nd or subsequent conviction within 5 years. Commercial threshold 0.04; under-21 threshold 0.02; separate child-under-14 endangerment offense.
Official source ↗
Michigan
MCL 257.625 (OWI). 1st (subsec 9): misdemeanor, fine $100-$500 (or $200-$700 if High-BAC), up to 93 days jail (180 if High-BAC 0.17), up to 360 hrs…
Full details
MCL 257.625 (OWI). 1st (subsec 9): misdemeanor, fine $100-$500 (or $200-$700 if High-BAC), up to 93 days jail (180 if High-BAC 0.17), up to 360 hrs community service. 2nd within 7 years: $200-$1,000 + 5 days-1 yr jail or 30-90 days CS (non-suspendable). 3rd (2+ priors, lifetime lookback - 'Heidi's Law'): felony, $500-$5,000 + 1-5 yrs prison. OWVI (subsec 11): 1st up to $300 / up to 93 days, escalating. Under-21 zero tolerance (subsec 12): 1st up to $250 / 360 hrs CS. OWI causing death (subsec 4): felony up to 15 yrs (up to 20 if High-BAC+prior or emergency-responder death), $2,500-$10,000. Serious impairment (subsec 5): felony up to 5 yrs (up to 10 enhanced), $1,000-$5,000. Child under 16 aboard (subsec 7): enhanced - 1st misdemeanor $200-$1,000; 2nd+ felony. Thresholds: 0.08 standard, 0.17 High-BAC, 0.02 under-21. IID available (625k/625l); vehicle immobilization (904d)/forfeiture (625n) on repeats.
Official source ↗
Driving while suspended
Georgia
§40-5-121 (5-year window): 1st = misdemeanor, 2 days-12 months + $500-$1,000 (offender fingerprinted); 2nd/3rd = high-and-aggravated misdemeanor, 10…
Full details
§40-5-121 (5-year window): 1st = misdemeanor, 2 days-12 months + $500-$1,000 (offender fingerprinted); 2nd/3rd = high-and-aggravated misdemeanor, 10 days-12 months + $1,000-$2,500; 4th+ = felony, 1-5 years + $2,500-$5,000. DDS adds a 6-month suspension on conviction (reinstatement $210/$310/$410); no limited permit. Driving as a declared habitual violator is a separate felony (§40-5-58), $750+ / 1-5 years.
Official source ↗
Michigan
MCL 257.904. 1st violation: misdemeanor, up to 93 days jail or up to $500, plus registration plates canceled (unless the vehicle was stolen or used…
Full details
MCL 257.904. 1st violation: misdemeanor, up to 93 days jail or up to $500, plus registration plates canceled (unless the vehicle was stolen or used without the owner's knowing permission). 2nd+ (after a prior): up to 1 year or up to $1,000; plates canceled. DWS causing death: felony up to 15 yrs, $2,500-$10,000; causing serious impairment: felony up to 5 yrs, $1,000-$5,000. The SOS imposes an additional like period of suspension on conviction (or 30 days if the suspension was indefinite; 904(10)/(11)); a 2nd+ DWS within 7 years triggers vehicle immobilization (904(17) -> 904d). Emergency life/property exception (904(15)).
Official source ↗

CDL

CDL consequence
Georgia
Georgia CDL disqualification (GA DDS Driver's Manual Section 1.3, federal FMCSA structure). 1-year (first major offense, in a CMV OR a personal…
Full details
Georgia CDL disqualification (GA DDS Driver's Manual Section 1.3, federal FMCSA structure). 1-year (first major offense, in a CMV OR a personal vehicle): DUI (O.C.G.A. 40-6-391), CMV at 0.04+ BAC or under the influence, refusing chemical testing, leaving the scene, any felony using a vehicle, CMV-while-disqualified, vehicular homicide, racing, eluding, fraudulent license, operating on a suspended registration, or cargo theft. 3-year if the offense occurs while operating a CMV placarded for hazardous materials. lifetime for a 2nd major offense (any combination); lifetime if a CMV is used in a controlled-substance felony; permanent lifetime if a CMV is used in a human-trafficking felony. Serious traffic violations (15+ over, reckless, erratic lane change, following too closely, fatal-accident traffic offense, no/wrong-class CDL): 60 days (2nd in 3 yrs) / 120 days (3rd+). Out-of-service-order violations: 180 days / 2 yrs / 3 yrs. Railroad-crossing violations: 60/120 days / 1 yr. 24-hour out-of-service for any detectable alcohol under 0.04. Important for CDL holders: a DUI in a personal vehicle (an alcohol/controlled-substance/felony suspension) still costs the CDL for 1 year, a 2nd costs it for life (Section 1.3.7), and no hardship CDL is available.
Official source ↗
Michigan
MCL 257.319b. 60 days: 2 serious traffic violations in 36 months. 120 days: 3 in 36 months. 1 year (first major offense): OWI (625), refusal of…
Full details
MCL 257.319b. 60 days: 2 serious traffic violations in 36 months. 120 days: 3 in 36 months. 1 year (first major offense): OWI (625), refusal of chemical test, leaving the scene, a felony in which a vehicle was used, operating a CMV while disqualified, or a fatality by negligent operation. 3 years: a major offense while the CMV carried placarded hazmat. lifetime (reissue eligible after not less than 10 years + SOS approval): a second major offense from separate incidents. lifetime, no reduction: a CMV used in a controlled-substance manufacture/distribution felony; a major offense after a 10-year reissue; or a terrorism-chapter conviction (MCL 750.543a-z). HazMat endorsement denied/revoked on a federal security-risk notice (USA PATRIOT Act). Out-of-service (319d(4)/319f): 180 days / 2 yrs / 3 yrs ladders. Important for CDL holders (319b(7)): a DUI / refusal / leaving-the-scene / vehicle-felony committed in a NON-commercial vehicle counts against the CDL identically. CDL alcohol threshold is 0.04 (set in 625m). Only post-Jan 1, 1990 violations count.
Official source ↗