Michigan SOS to Suspend Driver’s License and ID Services for Maintenance Nov. 8-9
On November 8, 2025, the Michigan Department of State notified customers that driver license and identification card services will be temporarily unavailable during a planned system maintenance window this weekend. According to an alert posted on the secretary of state’s website, maintenance by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) will shut down the national system used by all states for driver’s license and ID transactions from 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9【478240442786816†screenshot】. Because of the outage, Michigan’s branch offices, self‑service stations and online services will not be able to process driver license or ID card transactions during that period.
The department emphasizes that vehicle transactions – including vehicle registration renewals, title transfers and license plate renewals – will not be affected and will remain available through self‑service stations, online and in branch offices【478240442786816†screenshot】. Customers who need to renew their plates or complete other vehicle‑related business can continue to use kiosks at grocery stores and select branch offices, or visit Michigan.gov/SOS for online services. However, anyone planning to renew, replace or upgrade a driver’s license or state ID, apply for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or complete a REAL ID transaction should plan around the maintenance window. These services will be fully restored when the national system comes back online Sunday evening.
The Michigan Department of State encourages residents to plan ahead to avoid inconvenience. If your driver’s license or ID is expiring soon, consider completing the transaction before 10 p.m. Saturday or wait until Monday, Nov. 10 when full services resume. Branch offices will operate on their normal schedules this weekend, but staff will only be able to assist with vehicle‑related business while the AAMVA system is offline. Customers with Saturday appointments for driver’s license or ID services may wish to reschedule, and walk‑in customers should expect to be turned away for those transactions until the maintenance is complete.
This maintenance is part of a national effort to upgrade and secure the system that supports driver license and identification data across all states. While it causes a brief disruption, it also helps ensure that the technology behind Michigan’s licensing services remains reliable and secure. Residents who have questions about the outage or need assistance can call the Department of State’s Information Center at 888‑SOS‑MICH. Keeping these dates in mind will help drivers avoid frustration and ensure that they have valid credentials when needed.