What are Michigan Driver Responsibility Fees and how much are they going to cost me?

The Michigan Vehicle Code mandates a driver responsibility fee payable to the Secretary of State, on notice of a conviction, for drivers convicted of certain offenses. This fee is in addition to any other penalties. The driver responsibility fee for drunk driving offenses are

1. $1,000 each year for two years after conviction for OWI, OWI causing serious injury, and OWI causing death (MCL 257.732a(2)(a)(iii)); and
2. $500 each year for two years after conviction for OWVI, zero tolerance, child endangerment, and OWPCS (MCL 257.732a(2)(b)(i)).

Note that 2014 PA 250 added MCL 257.732a(11) to reduce and phase out the fees starting October 1, 2015:

(b) A fee assessed under subsection (2)(a) or (b) shall be reduced as follows:
(i) For a violation that occurs on or after October 1, 2015, 100% of the fee shall be assessed for the first year and 50% for the second year.
(ii) For a violation that occurs on or after October 1, 2016, 100% of the fee shall be assessed for the first year and no fee shall be assessed for the second year.
(iii) For a violation that occurs on or after October 1, 2018, 50% of the fee shall be assessed for the first year and no fee shall be assessed for the second year.
(iv) For a violation that occurs on or after October 1, 2019, no fee shall be assessed under subsection (2)(a) or (b).

Failure to pay the fees will result in the suspension of the offender’s license. MCL 257.732a(5). A payment plan for fees above $500 is allowed under MCL 257.732a(4). 
The Secretary of State may authorize payment by installment for a period not to exceed 24 months. MCL 257.732a(4). Alternatively, the driver may engage in community service. Id. If payment is not received or an installment plan is not established after the time limit (30 days) required by the Secretary’s second notice, the Secretary must suspend driving privileges until the assessment and any other fees prescribed under the Michigan Vehicle Code are paid.