LANSING, Mich. — A bill package put forward by Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and Rep. Mike Mueller (R-Linden) was sent to the Governor this week for her signature to extend the deadline on Michigan driver’s license, state identification and vehicle registration renewals until December 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Moss led the effort in the Senate to extend the deadline for Michigan residents to renew state IDs and driver’s licenses viaSenate Bills 903 and 904, while Rep. Mueller introduced the House version of the legislation, House Bills 5756 and 5757 — the latter of which passed the Michigan House last week and the Michigan Senate yesterday. Under the bills, the deadline to renew these forms of identification expiring on or after March 31, 2020 has been delayed to Dec. 11, 2020.
“This pandemic has been disruptive in many ways. We owe Michiganders flexibility to renew their expired state licenses or identification cards at their Secretary of State branch office,” Sen. Moss said. “I’m proud to have worked with Rep. Mueller to move these bills through the Legislature and give people a reprieve from worrying about penalties for expired IDs.”
Michigan Secretary of State offices were closed in March to protect the public’s health amid the COVID-19 pandemic and are currently open on an appointment-only basis. While many services can be completed through the MI Self-Service Station, not all qualify, including renewals for enhanced licenses and enhanced personal ID cards.
“Michigan drivers should not face late fees or penalties for something that has been out of their control,” said Rep. Mueller, a former Livingston County sheriff’s deputy. “People throughout Michigan have voiced concerns about license and registration renewals. This extension offers needed clarity for Michigan residents and law enforcement.”
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