Spend Every OTHER Birthday at MI S.O.S. Branches Thanks to New Registration Bill

On Wednesday, November 10th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a new bill that gives Michigan drivers the option to only have to renew their license and registration every OTHER year.

*Record Scratch* Yes, you heard that right. However, it's not as simple as only paying the same price and getting the next year free, it's not a BOGO sale. BUT it does mean less time spent at Michigan Secretary of State branches. Let's break this down.

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About House Bill 4117

You know how every year, just before your birthday (AKA when your current registration expires) you get that lovely piece of mail from the ol' "secretari'uh state" that basically says "Hey, happy birthday...now come give us all your money."

Some people get it taken care of right away, making their appointment and getting it over with to make sure it's done. Others wait until the last possible minute, we've all been there, and possibly end up also owing a late fee for paying past their birthday.

It's something nobody likes to do once they become an adult, having to celebrate your birthday every year by forking over a bunch of money for, essentially, a slip of paper and a sticker that is extremely expensive to be caught without.

That's why House Bill 4117, according to MLive, would make it so drivers could choose the new "two-year registration" option when paying at a kiosk or an S.O.S. branch and not have to deal with it the next year.

Benefits to Two-Year Registration Options

Once you've already paid ahead on your registration, you won't have the headache and the hassle of trying to get into the Secretary of State. No more panicking and procrastinating. You can rest easy knowing it's already taken care of.

Also, as MLive points out, you would only have to pay that pesky, extra eight-dollar service fee ONE TIME! While that eight dollars may not seem like a big deal, every penny counts when it comes to giving your money to the government.

Also, let's be honest here, any less time you have to spend at a Secretary of State branch is a win in itself, isn't it?

There is a Catch (or Two)

As we mentioned earlier, this is not a "buy one year get the next one free" kind of deal...though that would be pretty awesome.

"It won’t save drivers money but will be offered to make registering vehicles more convenient," As WOOD TV8 reports, "Drivers who choose the two-year registration option will pay double."

So yes, you will be paying double to cover the next year but you will only have to pay once and save yourself some hassle the next year.

Plus, remember that eight-dollar service fee? While it will be nice for you to only have to pay that once, it turns out other state-funded resources are a bit concerned how the lost revenue could pan out for them.

Currently, according to MLive, that $8.00 is split by the Transportation Administration Collection Fund (recieving $5.75 each time) and the Traffic Law Enforcement and Safety Fund (recieving $2.25 per fee).

The more people who opt-in for the two-year registration, the less those funds get from the service fees, something the bill's fiscal analysis addresses, but could still be something that needs to be ironed out down the road.

What do You Think?

Will this bill save you some time and energy or do you not mind going every year to renew?

At the end of the day, only time will tell how this all plays out when the bill goes into effect next year.