Michigan vs Texas

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.

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.

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.

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.

Texas 'DWI' (Penal Code Ch. 49), by prior convictions. Ch. 49 sets the offense class and minimum jail; dollar maxima come from the Penal Code Ch. 12 class ranges. 1st DWI (49.04) = Class B misdemeanor, min 72 hours jail (6 days if open container), up to $2,000 — elevated to Class A (up to $4,000) if BAC 0.15+ (49.04(d)). 2nd DWI (49.09(a)) = Class A misdemeanor, min 30 days, up to $4,000. 3rd+ DWI (49.09(b)) = 3rd-degree felony, 2-10 years, up to $10,000. DWI with child passenger <15 (49.045) = state jail felony, up to $10,000. IID required for a 2nd+ within 5 years (49.09(h)); entitlement to use the substance is no defense (49.10).

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)).

DWLI: additional suspension period, then reinstatement needs an SR-22 (2 yrs) plus the $100 fee. Operating during a registration suspension (Sec. 601.371): $100-$500 fine and 72 hours-6 months jail; a repeat is a Class A misdemeanor. Operating without required FR (Sec. 601.195): up to $500 and/or up to 6 months jail.

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.