Level 1: State of Michigan Learner License. Teen drivers must complete a minimum of 30 hours of supervised driving before moving on to Education Segment 2. Two of the 30 hours must be nighttime driving. Supervised driving hours should be recorded on the driving log provided in the Driving Skills Test Study Guide. If you currently hold a level 1 Michigan driver license, you must observe the following license requirements: Supervising driving only. The license holder may only drive while accompanied by a. To get your Level 1 Driver’s License, you must meet certain physical and mental standards. This includes passing a vision test. This includes passing a vision test. You must also take documents that prove your identity and citizenship.
- Good For Nothing
- Michigan Graduated Drivers License Level 1
- Michigan Level 2 License
- Michigan Drivers License Learners Permit
- Michigan Driver's License Requirements
- Michigan Level 1 Driver's License Restrictions
- New Michigan Driver's License Law
Getting Your Michigan Learner's Permit
In an effort to reduce the alarming number of accidents involving first-time drivers, Michigan has implemented a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. Under the Michigan GDL, teens are required to achieve certain age and experience related milestones until they reach 17 years old.
Your first milestone on your path to your Michigan driver's license is to obtain your Level 1 Michigan learner's permit from the Secretary of State (SOS).
Michigan REAL ID Driver's License
The Michigan SOS has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses. As of October 1, 2020, the REAL ID will function as federal identification for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings—a standard license will not after this date.
All newly issued licenses in Michigan are now automatically REAL ID-compliant—simply follow the steps below. Renewals have the choice to maintain a standard license or upgrade to a REAL ID or enhanced license. Learn more at our renewals guide.
New to Michigan?
If you are new to the state and wish to transfer your out-of-state learner's permit to Michigan, you must provide proof that your Driver's Ed instruction received in your previous state meets Michigan's minimum standards, which are:
- 30 hours of classroom instruction.
- 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
The GDL mandates that the course be completed in 2 segments. For more information, please see the Driver's Ed section below. You will also need to take the Original Operator License Test at the Secretary of State office.
Driver's Ed in Michigan
The curriculum for Driver's Ed in Michigan is divided into two segments and is required for all drivers under 18 years old. In order to enroll in Driver's Ed, you must be at least 14 years and 8 months old. Prior to taking your written permit test, you need to complete Segment 1 of an approved Driver's Ed course.
Segment 1 of Driver's Ed includes:
- 24 hours of classroom instruction.
- 6 hours of behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction.
- 4 hours of observation time in a training vehicle.
- Segment 1 written test.
Once you have completed Segment 1 and held your Level 1 Michigan learner's permit for a minimum of 3 months continuously, you can begin Segment 2 of Driver's Ed.
Segment 2 of Driver's Ed must include:
- 6 hours of additional classroom instruction.
- Segment 2 written test.
For more information, please refer to our Driver's Ed in Michigan page.
Applying for a MI Learner's Permit
To apply for a learner's license, you must be at least 14 years and 9 months old, and your parent or legal guardian must accompany you to your local SOS office with the following documents:
- Proof of your:
- identity (e.g. certified birth certificate, Michigan driver education certificate, school ID).
- Legal U.S. presence and/or citizenship.
- Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, 1099).
- Michigan residency—2 documents (Michigan high school report card, current paystub, bank statement 90 days old or less).
- Segment 1 Driver's Ed completion certificate.
For more information about these required documents, please refer to the Secretary of State's list of acceptable proofs.
Taking the Written Permit Test in Michigan
If you are a Michigan resident who has completed Segment 1, your driver's education certificate of completion exempts you from taking the original operator license test. Your Segment 1 knowledge exam doubles as your learner's permit test.
If you are a new Michigan resident with an out-of-state driver's education certificate, you will be required to complete the original operator license test. You will need to:
- Pass the 40-question test.
- Pay the $25 fee.
Once you've passed the test, you'll be issued your level 1 learner's license. You must hold your permit for at least 3 months before you can move on to Segment 2 of your Driver's Ed course.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Good For Nothing
Studying the Michigan Driver Manual is a great start toward acing your permit test, but it's not the best way to learn. Instead, prepare with an online practice test that mimics the format of the actual exam and includes multiple-choice questions and answers to test how much you've studied!
Michigan Learner's Permit Driving Restrictions
With your Level 1 learner's learner's, you may only drive with a licensed parent/guardian or designated licensed adult who is 21 years old or older. You'll have to wait for your Level 2 intermediate license to go any further in the GDL program.
Behind-the-Wheel Driving Requirements
In addition to the 6 hours required in your Driver's Ed course, you'll also need to complete:
Michigan Graduated Drivers License Level 1
- 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving.
- 10 hours of night driving as part of your overall hours.
Your parent or legal guardian must certify that you completed these hours. You may download the Michigan Driving Skills Study Guide (Form SOS-360) that contains a log to record your hours.
Replacing Your MI Learner's Permit
If your learner's permit is damaged, lost or stolen:
- Go to a SOS branch office.
- Provide all documents mentioned above.
- Pay the $9 duplicate learner's permit fee.
For more information, please refer to our Replacing a Lost License in Michigan page.
Your Next Step: Get Your Level 2 Intermediate Driver's License
Getting a Michigan learner's permit is an exciting time for any teen. Please don't let your excitement get in the way of safety and good judgment. When you're on the road, always be aware of the distractions and conditions around you. That way, our roads will be safer for everyone.
Your next step in the Michigan GDL is to get your Level 2 intermediate license. For more information, please visit our MI Teen Driver's License page.
Related Tasks & Topics
- Appointments
- Change of Address
- Lost License
- New License
- REAL ID
- Renew License
- Take a Practice Test
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The state of Michigan requires all drivers younger than 18 learning to drive obtain a graduated driver's license, which is a Level 1 license. Level 1 is the issuance of the learner's permit by passing the first level of driver's education courses; you may begin Level 1 when you are 14 years, nine months old; pass a vision test; and have your parents' signatures on your application. You must hold your Level 1 learner's permit for at least six months before you can apply for Level 2 but you must be at least 16 years of age to apply. If you lose your Level 1 permit, replace it by contacting the Michigan Secretary of State and following the replacement process for any Michigan driver's license.
Step 1
Michigan Level 2 License
Apply for a replacement or duplicate Level 1 license at any secretary of state office in Michigan (see Resources). Drivers younger than 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present when applying for a replacement license.
Step 2
Michigan Drivers License Learners Permit
Provide the required proof of identity, such as your passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate or a Michigan state identification card, to the secretary of state's office clerk.
Pay the replacement fee, which is $9 as of 2011. Depending on the secretary of state's office where you apply for your duplicate license, the acceptable method of payment varies. Your Level 1 replacement permit is issued while you wait.
Michigan Driver's License Requirements
Michigan Level 1 Driver's License Restrictions
