Navigating Michigan Traffic Tickets and Your Options

What steps should you take when you receive a ticket in Michigan? How can you challenge this ticket? What exactly is a BDIC course, and why is the Secretary of State sending me correspondence regarding it? These are all pertinent questions. In this article, we'll explore several alternatives to safeguard your Michigan driving record and assist you in saving money.

When you get a Michigan traffic ticket, you might think, "I'll just pay this off and be done with it." However, that might not be the wisest decision, as the ticket is likely to resurface and cause problems later. Most Michigan traffic tickets come with one or more demerit points, which will almost inevitably be reported and visible to your auto insurance provider. Consequently, your insurance company will raise your premiums, and your record will maintain these demerit(s) for years to come—unless you take action!

Below are three options that could help preserve your driving record, counter Michigan traffic tickets, and ultimately save you money in the long run.

1- Consult a Judge: Court-Approved Ticket Dismissal

Depending on the specifics of your citation and the local regulations in your county, your infraction may be eligible for Court-Approved Ticket Dismissal. Reach out to the court listed on your ticket and request permission to attend a Driver Improvement course. If granted, this would dismiss the violation through the court and save money on your auto insurance.

Once authorized, you'll have a limited time to complete the course and submit a certificate of completion to the court. After the certificate is returned to the court, the points for that violation are kept off your record and will no longer be visible to your insurance company!

2- The BDIC: A Unique, One-Time Opportunity for Michigan Drivers

Suppose you received a Michigan traffic ticket and couldn't get it dismissed through the court. In that case, you might be getting a BDIC notice from the state. You might be wondering, "What is this letter from the Michigan Secretary of State?" or "What is a BDIC course?"

Well, if you were ticketed on or after December 10th, 2010, you might be eligible for the Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) program offered by the state. The BDIC is a demerit point forgiveness initiative that the State of Michigan permits its residents to attend once (and only once) to prevent points from a traffic violation from appearing on their records. This a genuine one-time opportunity!

You qualify for the BDIC—Basic Driver Improvement Course if:

• You have a valid Michigan, non-commercial license with two or fewer points on your record,
• The violation was not in a Commercial Motor Vehicle,
• The violation was not a criminal offense,
• The Michigan traffic ticket you received brought about the BDIC letter from the state.

3- Elective Driver Improvement: Save on Insurance Premiums

Did you know that some insurance policies have a hidden clause stating that you can get a yearlong discount by taking a straightforward online driver improvement course?

Inquire with your auto insurance provider if your policy allows for "Elective Driver Improvement" in exchange for an insurance discount. Many policyholders have this provision waiting to be applied for a nice little discount.

If you're eligible, you can quickly enroll in a driver improvement course on our Michigan page to obtain that insurance discount and start saving money today.

We hope this information has been helpful, provided you with details on mitigating the effects of Michigan traffic tickets, and answered the question, "What is a BDIC?" If you have additional questions about the online BDIC—basic driver improvement course, feel free to contact us.