Michigan · Handbook chapter 1 · 7 min read
Chapter 1: Getting your Michigan license
How Michigan licenses new drivers: Graduated Driver Licensing for teens, the Temporary Instruction Permit and written knowledge test for adults, documents to bring, fees, probation and renewal.
Why this chapter matters
Michigan has two quite different routes to a first license. Teens under 18 go through driver education and Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL); adults 18 and older pass a written knowledge test that includes a road sign portion, then practice on a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP). Permit tests often ask about the ages, hours and restrictions on each route, so learn the numbers.
Teens under 18: Graduated Driver Licensing
Michigan was the first state to require driver education for teens, back in 1955. Under GDL you complete two segments of driver education and move through three license levels. GDL ends when you turn 18. (It is waived if you have held a valid license from another state for more than a year.)
| Step | Minimum age | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Segment 1 | 14 years 8 months | Parent's permission; at least 24 hours of classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel, 4 hours of observation, and at least 70 percent on the Segment 1 state exam |
| Level 1 Learner's License | 14 years 9 months | Visit a Secretary of State office with a parent or guardian; pass vision and health standards; Segment 1 certificate and identity documents |
| Segment 2 | Log of at least 30 hours of supervised driving (2 at night) and three consecutive months on Level 1; at least 6 hours of classroom; at least 70 percent on the Segment 2 exam | |
| Driving skills test | 15 | Segment 2 done, 50 hours of supervised driving including 10 at night, and Level 1 held for six months |
| Level 2 Intermediate License | 16 | Level 1 for six months; no violations, at-fault crashes or suspensions in the 90 days before |
| Level 3 Full License | 17 | Level 2 for six months and 12 consecutive months with no moving violation, at-fault crash, suspension or GDL violation |
Driving on a Level 1 license
- You may drive only with a licensed parent, guardian or designated licensed adult aged 21 or older in the front seat beside you.
- A designated adult needs a signed letter of authorization from the parent or guardian.
- Keep a driving log of your supervised hours.
- Teens with a Level 1 photo hard card move up to Level 2 automatically once they meet the requirements and pass the skills test.
Level 2 restrictions
- No driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., unless a parent, guardian or designated licensed adult 21 or older is with you, or you are driving for work, to or from work, or to or from an authorized activity.
- No more than one passenger under 21, unless a parent, guardian or designated adult 21 or older is in the vehicle, the passengers are immediate family, or you are driving for work or an authorized activity.
- Under Kelsey's Law, Level 1 and Level 2 drivers may not use a cell phone or other electronic device while driving, except in an emergency.
Level 3 is issued automatically at no fee once you qualify. It has no state-imposed restrictions, though a parent or guardian can ask to hold a teen at their current level or cancel the GDL license before age 18.
Adults 18 and older: the knowledge test and TIP
If you are 18 or older and have not been licensed in the past four years, you:
- Pre-apply online and schedule a Secretary of State office visit.
- Pass the written knowledge test, which includes a road sign test. You must pass both portions: the Operator section and the Signs segment.
- Pass a vision test and meet health standards.
- Show your documents, pay the $25 TIP fee and have your photo taken.
- Practice with a licensed adult for at least 30 days.
- Pass the driving skills test with an approved driver testing business.
About the knowledge test
- It is multiple choice and covers basic traffic laws and safe driving. The Secretary of State suggests studying chapters 4 to 7 of the manual.
- It is free at a Secretary of State office (by appointment, up to one hour before closing), or you can take an identical version online at home for a $6.50 fee if you are 18 or older. The online test needs a computer with a keyboard, mouse and webcam.
- Online, the Operator section takes about 45 minutes and the Signs segment about 15 minutes.
- It is offered in English and other languages, in written and audio form.
- If you fail, testing stops and you must come back on a different day.
- A passed test is valid for one year, but if your TIP expires and you apply for a new one, you test again.
The Temporary Instruction Permit
- A TIP is valid for 180 days. If you do not pass the skills test in that time, you start over.
- It is not a license: you may drive only with a licensed adult supervising.
- Adults are encouraged, but not required, to take a driver education course.
The driving skills test
Approved private driver testing businesses give the test, and the Secretary of State does not set their prices. It has three parts: a vehicle inspection, a basic control skills test on a closed course and an on-road test covering urban, expressway, rural and residential driving. Failing any part ends the test, and you may take only one skills test in a 24-hour period. Bring your permit, proof of Michigan no-fault insurance and the vehicle's valid registration.
Documents to bring
- Proof of a valid Social Security number (or an SSA letter of ineligibility no more than 60 days old).
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, such as a certified birth certificate with a raised seal or a valid U.S. passport.
- Proof of identity. Only original documents are accepted, never photocopies or faxes.
- At least two proofs of Michigan residency, such as a utility bill or bank statement issued in the last 90 days, a pay stub, or a lease or mortgage.
If your name has changed, bring legal proof such as a marriage license, divorce decree or court order.
Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Written knowledge test at an office | Free |
| Online knowledge test | $6.50 |
| Temporary Instruction Permit | $25 |
| Standard first license | $25 |
| Enhanced license | $45 |
Probation
Every new driver, at any age, is on probation for at least three years. The Secretary of State watches your record, and tickets or crashes can bring warning letters, a driver assessment reexamination, a longer probation or a suspension.
Other licensing rules
- You may hold only one valid driver's license at a time.
- You will not get a first license if you have two or more moving violation convictions in the past three years.
- Licenses usually last four years and expire on your birthday; drivers under 21 have licenses that expire on the 21st birthday.
- You must renew in person at least every 12 years for a new photo and vision screening.
- Report a change of address; there is no charge, and failing to do so can lead to suspension.
- New residents from another U.S. state, Canada, Germany or South Korea can usually convert their license without the knowledge or skills test.
Frequently asked questions
How old must I be to start driving in Michigan?
You can start Segment 1 of driver education at 14 years 8 months and get a Level 1 Learner's License at 14 years 9 months.
Do teens take the knowledge test at the Secretary of State?
No. Teens pass the Segment 1 state exam in driver education with at least 70 percent. The written knowledge test at a Secretary of State office or online is for applicants 18 and older.
How many supervised hours does a teen need?
At least 50 hours, including 10 at night, before the driving skills test. At least 30 hours, including 2 at night, must be logged before Segment 2.
Who can supervise a Level 1 driver?
A licensed parent or guardian, or a licensed adult aged 21 or older designated by the parent or guardian, seated in the front seat.
What are the Level 2 night and passenger limits?
No driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and no more than one passenger under 21, unless an exception applies, such as an adult 21 or older riding along or driving for work.
How long is a TIP valid?
180 days. Adults must practice at least 30 days on it before the driving skills test.
Can I take the knowledge test online?
Yes, if you are 18 or older. The online test is identical to the office test and costs $6.50.
Based on What Every Driver Must Know (Michigan Department of State) and the Secretary of State's New drivers (18 and older) page.