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Temporary Driving Permit or Paper License

If you are a licensed Michigan driver and are arrested for OWI, the arresting officer will confiscate your driver's license. Under Michigan state law, the confiscated license must be destroyed, and in its place you will be issued a temporary driving permit. This temporary permit is sometimes referred to as a paper license.

The temporary driving permit is just as valid as a regular driver's license, and you will retain the same driving privileges you had prior to your arrest.

If you are facing a license confiscation, it is important to contact a Michigan DUI lawyer to minimize the penalties against your license as much as possible.

Driving Privileges Following Trial

Your future driving privileges will depend on the outcome of your OWI case. If you are found not guilty, the state will reissue you a regular driver's license. If you are found guilty, however, the Michigan Secretary of State will impose penalties on your driver's license.

Driver's License Penalties for OWI Conviction

The driver's license penalties you may face after an OWI conviction will depend on the number of prior OWI convictions on your record. Keep in mind that, for the purposes of license penalties and sentencing, a second OWI conviction is only considered a second offense if it occurs within seven years of your first conviction. Likewise, a third conviction is considered a third offense if it occurs within 10 years of the first.

  • First OWI Offense: six month driver's license suspension with no driving allowed during the first 30 days and a restricted driver's license for the remaining five months
  • Second OWI Offense: mandatory revocation of driver's license for one full year
  • Third OWI Offense: mandatory revocation of driver's license for five full years

It is important to remember that Michigan does not offer any kind of restricted license or temporary driving permit for second and subsequent OWI offenders. This means that if you are convicted of a second OWI charge within seven years of the first, you will not be allowed to drive for one full year—period.

After the revocation period, you are entitled to a driver's license restoration hearing, These hearings are not easy to win—especially without a lawyer—and if you lose, you will have to wait one full year before requesting another hearing.

Your license will not be restored until you have had a successful driver's license restoration hearing. The only limited exception to this is successful completion of sobriety court.

Call Today! FREE Consultation Lawyer and Receive Immediate Attention for Your Criminal Law Case Patrick T. Barone is a Michigan Super Lawyer, who has maintained continuous top attorney ratings since 2007. In addition, the Michigan native is the author of multiple books on OWI, DUI and criminal law. The OUIL attorney near me has lectured at over 80 legal seminars all over America. He leads Barone Defense Firm in providing aggressive legal warriors for each client's criminal case.

Contact us 24 hours a day at our law firm’s easy to remember toll-free number, 1-877-ALL-MICH or 877-255-6424, for a free criminal case review. The Michigan attorneys near me at Barone Defense Firm travel the entire Great Lakes State, to help citizens in legal trouble in Michigan for alleged criminal law violations.

For your FREE lawyer consultation, call today to learn how to protect yourself from a possible unwarranted conviction. What do you have to lose, when the free legal advice with our litigation team’s criminal lawyers near me can answer many tough questions?

Client Reviews
★★★★★
Patrick Barone is the ONLY choice for DUI defense. He was realistic from the start and made it a point to look at my case before taking my money. As a business owner, when I think of attorneys, I think of the "shark infested waters. Patrick is a shark alright, but his prey is not the client; it's justice for his client. Ten stars Patrick!! Chris F.
★★★★★
Attorney Patrick Barone was very helpful and helped me understand the charge and sentence absolutely clearly. He also guided me through step by step helping me form a statement. His instructions were clear and detailed. It was obvious he cared about me understanding every important detail within my case. I would absolutely recommend this defense firm to anyone in need. Aaron B.
★★★★★
The Barone Defense Firm is the firm I recommend. They are truly concerned about the person, not just the legal issue, but the person as well. They are the most knowledgeable defense firm that I am aware of, having actually written the book on DWI Defense. If you are faced with a DWI you will not find a more professional and skilled law firm. But, most importantly, they care about how the accused individual recovers his or her life when the case is complete. Very remarkable group of lawyers. William H.