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Michigan requirements

Segment 1 Driver Education

Teens must be at least age 14 years and 8 months to begin Segment 1 Driver Education. The course is held over a minimum of 3 weeks, includes at least 24 hours in the classroom, 6 hours of driving, 4 hours of observation driving time, and a written examination.

Applying for a Level 1 Learner’s License

Teens must successfully complete Segment 1 Driver Education, be at least age 14 years and 9 months, and pass a vision and health screening to be issued a Level 1 Learner’s License. A parent or legal guardian must accompany their teen to the Secretary of State office and sign the license application. Required Documentation: Michigan Driver Education Segment 1 Certificate of Completion and other documents that are listed in Applying for a license or ID card? (SOS-428).

Emergency Medical Card

In an emergency, having the correct medical information on hand can save lives. A Medical Alert check box is located on the back of Michigan driver’s licenses and state ID cards to alert emergency medical responders that you are carrying a separate Emergency Medical Card. Check the box on your license or ID, complete the Emergency Medical Card, and always keep it with you.

Level 1 Learner’s License restrictions

Teens with a Level 1 Learner’s License must be supervised at all times by a licensed parent, legal guardian, or designated licensed driver aged 21 or older. If your teen is driving with someone other than you, he or she should carry a signed letter of authorization from you. Although seatbelts should be worn by everyone, they are required for everyone in the front seat, and everyone under age 16 in the vehicle. Drivers with a Level 1 Learner’s License are prohibited from using hand-held cellphones and from texting.

Required supervised driving time

Inexperience is the main reason for crashes among newly licensed drivers. Driver education introduces teens to the mechanics of driving, but it is just the beginning of the learning process. From there, teens need to continue to practice driving with their coaches while they gain experience in all types of situations and conditions in order to reduce their risk of crashing. After teens are issued a Level 1 Learner’s License, they are required to log a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving time with their coach, including 10 hours at night.

Segment 2 Driver Education

Segment 2 Driver Education includes a minimum of 6 hours of classroom instruction and a written exam. Teens must hold a Level 1 Learner’s License a minimum of 3 continuous months to enroll and must have completed 30 of the 50 hours of required supervised driving time with their coach (including 2 of the 10 hours at night). A driving log must be presented to the driver education instructor before taking the course.

Driving Skills Test

The Driving Skills Test includes a basic control skills test and an on road driving test. It is administered by independent testing organizations approved by the Secretary of State. To prepare for the test, teens should review the Driving Skills Test Study Guide found at Michigan.gov/TeenDriver. Test fees charged by organizations vary; ask about fees before scheduling a test. To be eligible for the test, teens must hold a Level 1 Learner’s License a minimum of 6 months, successfully complete Segment 2 Driver Education, and complete the minimum 50 hours of supervised driving time on a Level 1 Learner’s License, including a minimum of 10 hours at night. A driving log and a Michigan Driver Education Segment 2 Certificate of Completion must be presented to the Driver Testing Examiner before taking the test.

Progressing to a Level 2 Intermediate License

To be issued a Level 2 Intermediate License, teens must be age 16 or older, pass a Driving Skills Test, and be crash and violation-free for 90 days prior to applying for the license. Teens with a Level 1 Learner’s License hard card will automatically progress to a Level 2 Intermediate License once they have passed the driving skills test. Teens with a paper Level 1 Learner’s License, must visit a Secretary of State branch office and provide the following: Level 1 Learner’s License, Michigan Driver Education Segment 2 Certificate of Completion, Driving Skills Test Certificate, and other documents that are listed in Applying for a license or ID card? (SOS-428).

Level 2 Intermediate License restrictions

  • No driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. except when:
    • driving to or from, or in the course of employment;
    • driving to or from an authorized activity; or
    • accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or a licensed driver 21 years of age or older designated by the parent or legal guardian.
  • No driving at any time with more than one passenger in the vehicle who is younger than 21 years of age except:
    • when the additional passengers are immediate family members;
    • when driving to or from, or in the course of employment;
    • while going to or from an authorized activity; or
    • when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or a licensed driver 21 years of age or older designated by the parent or legal guardian.
  • No hand-held cellphones
  • No texting
  • Seatbelts required for everyone in front seat, and everyone under age 16 in vehicle

All first-time drivers are placed on probation for at least three years. Teen drivers who are convicted of a traffic violation or violate license restrictions may be subject to a driver reexamination, which may result in further license restrictions, suspension or both. Should either occur, advancement to the next GDL level will be delayed.

Additional family rules to consider

  • No passengers
  • No nighttime driving
  • No electronic communication or entertainment devices (including no Bluetooth)
  • Seatbelts required by all in the vehicle regardless of age

Parent or Legal Guardian and Teen Safe Driving Contract

Crash rates peak during the first 6 months that teens drive without supervision, making this an essential time for parents and guardians to provide guidance, oversight, and set limits. Parents and guardians who do this have teens who are less likely to receive traffic tickets or be involved in traffic crashes. Inexperience and immaturity combine to make young drivers especially at risk at night, after drinking alcohol, with passengers, when unbelted, and when using cellphones. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to complete a driving contract with their teen. For a sample, see Parent or Legal Guardian and Teen Safe Driving Contract.

Level 3 License

Teens with a Level 3 License have no state-imposed license restrictions. Parents and guardians may request that their teen remain at Level 2 and not automatically advance to Level 3. To advance to a Level 3 License, teens must be age 17 or older, have held a Level 2 Intermediate License for a minimum of 6 months, and be 12 months crash and violation free.

Age 18

Teens who turn age 18 and hold a Level 2 or 3 License will be mailed an operator’s license that expires on their 21st birthday.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/TeenDriver.