Filing for office, including petition signature requirements and political party status.
Elections administration, including the Election Inspector's Guide; absentee voting; and the Michigan Qualified Voter File.
Find information about the Board of State Canvassers and its meeting notices.
Title and registration requirements; special titles; name changes; address changes; license plate fees; insurance requirements; new Michigan residents; lost titles; lost license plates; and deceased vehicle owners.
Disability parking and placard information, disability parking, disability plate, disabled parking permit, and wheelchair.
Recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles, watercraft, ORVs, and trailers.
The International Registration Plan (IRP) - a program for registering and licensing of commercial vehicles in interstate operations among member jurisdictions (states or provinces).
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) online service for customers filing financial statements and liens through the Secretary of State.
Operating requirements for agricultural vehicles on public roads - lighting, slow-moving vehicle emblems, and more.
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The Michigan Department of State offers the commercial driver's license (CDL) in both a standard and enhanced version. The enhanced CDL is an attractive alternative to the standard CDL because it allows you to re-enter the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean without the need to show additional identity or citizenship documents at the border.
A chauffeur's license is needed if you are:
A commercial driver's license is needed if you are operating a vehicle:
CDL group designations and CDL endorsements will be added to the chauffeur's license.
Drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 can operate a commercial vehicle only in Michigan. You must be at least 21 to operate a commercial vehicle across state lines or to transport hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding.
A CDL is not required for the following:
Farmers will need either an F-endorsement or a CDL under the following conditions:
To apply for a commercial driver’s license, visit a Secretary of State office and provide:
If applying for a hazardous materials endorsement, you must also provide proof of a Federal Security Threat Assessment.
At your visit, you will need to:
You may need one or more of the following endorsements on your CDL depending on the type of vehicle you are operating or the cargo you are transporting:
You will need the appropriate group designation on your CDL to operate the following vehicles:
Group A
Group B
Group C
You must pass all required written knowledge tests before a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) can be issued. The CLP allows you to practice driving under the supervision of an experienced driver/instructor who has a CDL for the type of vehicle you wish to operate.
A CLP is also required for taking the CDL skills tests (range/road testing).
You will be required to take one or more knowledge tests based on the type of CDL you are applying for and cargo you will be transporting. All CDL knowledge tests are administered in written form at a computer testing station. A minimum score of 80 percent is required to pass each test. Anyone applying for the H-Hazardous Materials or S-School Bus endorsement must also pass a written knowledge test. You are only allowed to take one test per day from each testing category. Use the Commercial Driver License Manual as your study guide.
CDL Group A:
CDL Group B and CDL Group C:
Endorsements
T-Double Trailer; P-Passenger; S-School Bus, and N-Tank:
H-Hazardous Materials:
Air brakes:
Commercial Driver License Manual
After obtaining your CLP, you will then need to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) with an approved ELDT provider. Beginning February 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established new minimum training standards for individuals applying for:
These new minimum training standards are referred to as Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). Drivers must complete the required ELDT from a training provider registered with FMCSA before being scheduled for CDL skills or knowledge tests required to obtain one of the licenses or endorsements referred to in the first paragraph.
Once implemented, the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) will retain a record of which CDL applicants have completed the new training and certification process outlined in the ELDT regulations. A CLP may be issued prior to ELDT being completed. First-time hazardous materials endorsement applicants (including those applying for a Class A, B, or C CDL) must complete the hazardous portion of ELDT prior to a written knowledge test being administered at a Secretary of State office.
Upon completing ELDT, a record of completion will be added to the Michigan Department of State records system. To locate an ELDT provider, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.
Locate an ELDT provider (FMCSA)
Upon being issued your CLP, you can begin driving under supervision of a driver who has a CDL for the type of vehicle you wish to drive. After practicing for at least 14 days, you may schedule a CDL on-road driving skills test with an approved driver testing business. Your skills test must be scheduled at least 2 days in advance of when you are eligible to test.
Search for Driver Testing Business Locations
After passing your CDL driving skills test, you will need to return to a Secretary of State office to pay the group endorsement fee ($5/endorsement) and correct your standard license for $9. Your corrected CDL will be mailed to you at the address on your driving record.
Before scheduling your skills test, you must pass all applicable ELDT requirements. Refer to the ELDT tab for more information.
A skills test is require for the CDL Group A, Group B, and Group C license types, as well as for the P-Passenger and S-School Bus endorsements.
Road skills tests are provided through public and private third-party testing organizations certified by the state to administer the CDL skills tests. The Michigan Department of State does not set road skills test fees, which may vary between testing organizations. Results from your CDL skills test are valid for one year from the date the test was given. If you have not applied for your CDL within a year's time, you will need to re-take and pass all required tests before your CDL can be issued.
After passing your road skills test, you will need to visit at a Secretary of State office to obtain your CDL temporary permit (a fee will be due), which will allow you to operate a commercial vehicle until your new photo CDL arrives in the mail.
Human traffickers often use truck stops, bus stations, rest areas, and transit centers for coordinating and moving victims. Signs of human trafficking may include:
If something looks suspicious, trust your instincts, and contact local authorities by a call or text (calls may be made anonymously). If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. Never attempt to confront a trafficker or victim.
When reporting a suspected human trafficking situation, describe specifically what you observed, including:
More information is available at the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Call (888) 373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree at 233733. The NHT hotline is a non-governmental agency funded by the federal government. It is not a law enforcement or immigration authority.
In addition to the appropriate CDL group designation, endorsements are required for the following:
All Secretary of State offices can accept payment by cash, credit or debit card (additional fees apply), or money order or check made payable to the State of Michigan.
You will need to pass knowledge exams about any CDL endorsements for which you are applying. To help you prepare the exams, the Michigan Commercial Driver's License Manual is available on our website.
Michigan Commercial Driver's License Manual
If you are applying for a hazardous materials (hazmat) endorsement, you will need proof of U.S. citizenship (certified birth certificate, U.S. passport, etc.) or proof of your immigration status. Immigration documents must be verified through the federal government’s SAVE application. Verification may take more than one day.
Beginning February 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires customers applying for a first-time CDL or upgrading a CDL to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an approved driver education provider. Information about finding a provider can be found on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry.
ELDT must be completed before you can take a hazardous materials endorsement knowledge test. For other CDL classes and endorsements, you may take knowledge tests and obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) but you must complete ELDT before scheduling a CDL skills test through a driver testing business.
Proof of completion of ELDT will show up in our system automatically through the federal government’s Commercial Skills Test Information Management System.
FMCSA Training Provider Registry
There are no minimum training hours for completing entry-level driver training. For more information about specific classes, contact an approved provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry.
FMCSA Training Provider Registry
You cannot apply for a hazardous materials endorsement and request a federal background record check if:
Universal Enrollment Services (UES) is responsible for coordinating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved fingerprint office locations in Michigan. Please visit UES at universalenroll.dhs.gov/ or you may call the UES call center at their toll-free number 855-347-8371 to help you preregister for a background record check, inquire about enrollment statuses, or answer any questions. UES' call center hours of operation are from 8:00am to 10pm Eastern, Monday through Friday.
You should complete a federal background record check application 45-60 days before you need your hazardous materials endorsement. However, you will first be required to complete ALL of the following before the TSA fingerprint collection offices listed at universalenroll.dhs.gov/ can collect your fingerprints:
* Walk-in renewals are also accepted. The customer service agent will confirm that the membership is eligible for renewal, upload identity verification documents, make any necessary updates to the individual’s biographic information, and process payment.
Yes. Entry-level driver training is required by the federal government to add an original hazardous materials endorsement to your CDL.
Entry-level driver training isn’t required if you’re renewing a CDL that already has a hazardous materials endorsement.
If you already have a CDL, you don’t need to complete entry-level driver training to add a tanker (N) endorsement, or double / triple trailer (T) endorsement.
For passenger and school bus endorsements, you can take the required knowledge exams and apply for a commercial learner’s permit. You must then complete entry-level driver training before scheduling a CDL skills test through a driver testing business.
For hazardous materials endorsements, entry-level driver training must be completed before you take a knowledge exam to apply for an original endorsement.
If you dropped the endorsement within the last two years, you can reapply for the endorsement without taking a CDL knowledge exam.
If your license is misplaced, you will need to provide multiple documents to prove your identity (U.S. passport, birth certificate, etc.) and your citizenship.
The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) is an online database administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Its primary objective is to provide law enforcement, state licensing agencies (DMV), and employers in the transportation industry with up-to-date compliance information regarding drug and alcohol program violations of commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders.
The commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge skills test and on-road driving skills test requirements are waived for military service members who are trained and have been employed in the past year to operate the military equivalent to a commercial vehicle. Eligible veterans and service members may apply to convert their Michigan license to a CDL Class A or B at any Secretary of State office by completing the Application for Military Waiver Even Exchange.
Yes. Beginning November 18, 2024, the State of Michigan will be required to check the DACH prior to completing licensing transactions, such as the issuance, renewal, transfer, and upgrade of a CLP or CDL.
A driver's Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) or Commercial Driver's License (CDL) will be required to be downgraded by the State of Michigan upon notification of a Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) violation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
A CDL driver who tests positive on a DOT test or refuses to take a DOT test, must successfully complete the return-to-duty (RTD) process with a DOT qualified substance abuse professional (SAP). The requirements for the RTD are found in [49 CFR Part 40, Subpart O].
For more information visit clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov or call the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, 1-844-955-0207. For a more detailed FMCSA overview of the DACH process for employers visit DACH Employer Instructions.
Questions not answered by the information on this web page or in the Frequently Asked Questions
may be submitted to the CDL Help Desk for a response.
