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Driver education and testing businesses
Licensed driver education and testing businesses and their employees can access tools, resources, and industry bulletins through their CARS e-Services account. Instructions for setting up an account are available under Forms and publications.
Driver education providers (Choose tab below)
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Provider certification process
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Certification application materials
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Classification materials
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Renew certificate
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Change Requests
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Provider resources
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Entry-Level Driver Training
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CARS eServices business management
To operate a driver education business in Michigan, you must be certified by the Michigan Department of State in at least one of the following classifications:
- Adult (A)
- Teen (T)
- Truck (TR)
The provider certification application process and fees vary for each classification.
To apply for a provider certificate, submit the Provider Certification Application and a Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request form to the Driver Education and Testing Section after you have been fingerprinted by an approved Michigan State Police private live scan vendor. To request a copy of the Background Check Request form, please send an email to MDOS-drivertesting@michigan.gov.
Submit both forms with all required documents and fees online through your CARS e-Services account or by mail to:
Michigan Department of State
Driver Education and Testing Section
430 W. Allegan St., 3rd Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
Prior to applying, you review all of the requirements and laws within the Driver Education Provider Manual, in addition to the Michigan Curriculum Guide (if applicable).
Provider Certification Application (DES-P01)
- Provider Certification Application (DES-P01)
- Provider e-Services Certification (DES-P02)
- Surety Bond (DES-P03)
- Classroom Request (DES-P04)
- Behind the Wheel Route Outline (Additional Documents to submit with DES-P04)
- Certificate of Liability Insurance – Sample of Owned Auto (DES-ACORD)
- Certificate of Liability Insurance – Sample of Hired Vehicle (DES-ACORD)
- Driver Education Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request
Additional application materials may be required depending on the classification(s) for which you are applying.
Adult Classification
- Adult Contract Checklist
- Adult BTW Contract
- Adult BTW Instruction Record
- Adult Segment 1 Contract
- Adult Segment 2 Contract
Teen Classification
- Teen Contract Checklist
- Teen Segment 1 Contract
- Teen Segment 1 Attendance Record
- Teen BTW Recordkeeping Form
- Teen Driving Skills Report Card
- Teen Segment 2 Contract
- Teen Segment 2 Attendance Record
- Teen Lesson Plan
Truck classification materials
- Truck Contract Checklist
- Truck Contract
- Truck Attendance Record
- Truck BTW Instruction Record
- ELDT-MDOS Curriculum Memo 12/21/2021
- ELDT-FMCSA Curriculum Summary
- ELDT-CDL Class A Theory-Curriculum Checklist
- ELDT-CDL Class A BTW-Curriculum Checklist
- ELDT-CDL Class B Theory-Curriculum Checklist
- ELDT-CDL Class B BTW-Curriculum Checklist
Ahead of your certificate expiration date, the Michigan Department of State will send you a renewal notice via email. Your certificate renewal form will list the certificate expiration date.
Renew online
To renew your driver education provider certificate online, you will need your:
- CARS e-Services driver education provider account login
- Valid Discover, MasterCard, VISA card, or e-check for payment. (A processing fee will be charged for payment by credit or debit card)
Renew by mail
To renew your provider certificate by mail, you will need your:
- Completed preprinted renewal application you received in the mail
- All additional required documents and records
- A check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan
Update any information as necessary. Some updates may require that you include additional documentation with your application. Failure to fill out the form correctly or completely may delay or prevent your certificate renewal.
Mail all documents and payment to:
Michigan Department of State
Driver Education and Testing Section
430 W Allegan St
Lansing, MI 48918
If you haven’t received your renewal materials within 45 days of your certificate expiring, contact the department for assistance.
To change or correct the information on your provider certificate, complete the applicable form and provide all necessary documentation as directed:
Locate a Driver Education Provider or Classroom location or Instructor
- Select this link above to open the CARS eServices application, once the page has opened:
- Locate the "Business Services" heading on the left, within Business Services select the hyperlink labeled "Driver Education and Testing Business"
- After opening that link, locate the hyperlink of your choice: "Search Provider" or "Search Classroom" or "Search Instructor".
Instructor classroom materials
- 2017 Driver Education Resources
- Michigan Commercial Driver License Manual
- 2019 Michigan's Graduated Driver Licensing: A Guide for Parents
- Driver Education Instructor "Look Twice" Online Toolkit Guide
- Michigan Traffic Crash Facts
- Michigan Traffic Safety Materials Catalog
- Teen Driving Risk Awareness
- Segment 2 Driver Education - Risk Awareness Fact Sheets
- Teen / Young Adults Age 15-20 Fact Sheet
- You Are at Risk brochure
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
Beginning February 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established new minimum training standards for individuals applying for:
A) Class A or B Commercial Driver License (CDL) for the first time
B) An upgrade of an existing CDL (e.g., Class B CDL holder seeking a Class A CDL)
C) A Hazardous Materials (H), Passenger (P), or School Bus (S) endorsement on a CDL for the first time
These new minimum training standards are referred to as Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). Drivers must have completed the required ELDT from a training provider registered with FMCSA before being scheduled for CDL skills or knowledge tests to obtain one of the licenses or endorsements listed above.
Individuals applying for a CDL are required to complete a knowledge test and behind the wheel (BTW) instruction provided by a certified training provider. The prescribed ELDT training curriculum is outlined in 49 CFR 380 and must be completed prior to an applicant being scheduled for a skills test. Individuals applying for the H endorsement must complete their ELDT prior to taking the knowledge test. The new ELDT training requirements incorporate performance-based concepts by requiring driver-trainees to demonstrate proficiency in both behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction and knowledge portions of the curriculum during classroom and range training sessions.
ELDT regulations will impact current CLP holders in the following ways:
- Drivers who currently hold a CLP may obtain a CDL without completing entry-level training, as long as they obtain their CDL before their CLP, or renewed CLP, expires.
- Current CDL holders who apply for an S, P, or H endorsement on or after February 7, 2022, are subject to ELDT requirements for those endorsements.
- The ELDT requirements for obtaining the S, P, or H endorsements also apply to drivers who obtain their CLP or CDL after February 7, 2022.
Drivers subject to ELDT can find training providers from the public list located on the Training Provider Registry (TPR) website later this year. Drivers will contact the training provider and secure their services outside of the Registry.
Once operational, the FMCSA TPR will retain a record of which CDL applicants have completed the new training and certification process outlined in the ELDT regulations. The ELDT regulations and the Training Provider Registry are mandated under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
Note: Training providers are subject to state oversight and are encouraged to register as a truck provider prior to signing up on the TPR.
Additional Recourses:
- How to Become a Truck Provider
- How to Become a Truck Instructor
- Michigan ELDT FAQs
- Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) Minimum Federal Curricula Requirements
- CLP/CDL Workflow with ELDT
- Training Provider Registration Tutorial Video
- CSTIMS ELDT Check Training Video
- CSTIMS ELDT Check Job Aid
- Locate a Truck Driver Training Provider on the Training Provider Registry.
Driver education instructors (Choose tab below)
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Instructor certification
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Certification application materials
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Renew certificate
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Change Requests
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Reinstatement
To serve as a driver education instructor, you must be certified by the Michigan Department of State, at least 21 years of age, and meet all driving record and legal requirements. Certifications are issued for the following classifications:
- Adult classification (A)
- Teen classification (T)
- Truck classification (TR)
The provider certification application process and fees vary for each classification(s).
To apply for an instructor certificate, complete an Instructor Certification Application and a Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request Form completed by an approved Michigan State Police live scan vendor. Submit both forms with all required documents and payment for the $45 application fee online through your CARS e-Services account or by mail to:
Michigan Department of State
Driver Education and Testing Section
430 W. Allegan St., 3rd Floor
Lansing, MI 48918
Prior to applying, you review all of the requirements and laws within the Driver Education Provider Manual, in addition to the Michigan Curriculum Guide (if applicable).
Instructor Original Certification Application Packet (Truck)
Instructor Conditional Certification Application Packet (Adult/Teen)
Driver Education Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request
Approved Instructor Preparation Program Agencies & Professional Development Courses
Conditional Instructor Application
- Instructor Conditional Certification Packet (Adult/Teen)
- Approved Instructor Preparation Program Agencies & Professional Development Courses
Conditional Instructor to Original Instructor Application
Additional forms
- Instructor Original Certification Packet (Truck)
- Instructor Original Certification (DES-N01)
- Instructor Conditional Certification (DES-N02)
- Instructor eServices Certification (DES-N03)
- Instructor Conditional to Original Certification (DES-N04)
- Medical Examination Report (DES-N05)
- Federal DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Form MCSA-5876)
- Driver Education Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request
Ahead of your certificate expiration date, the Michigan Department of State will send you a renewal notice via email.
Renew online
To renew your driver education instructor certificate online, you will need your:
- CARS e-Services driver education instructor account login
- Valid Discover, MasterCard, VISA card, or e-check for payment. (A processing fee will be charged for payment by credit or debit card)
Renew by mail
To renew your instructor certificate by mail, you will need your:
- Completed preprinted renewal application you received in the mail
- All additional required documents and records
- A check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan
Update any information as necessary. Some updates may require that you include additional documentation with your application. Failure to fill out the form correctly or completely may delay or prevent your certificate renewal.
Mail all documents and payment to:
Michigan Department of State
Driver Education and Testing Section
430 W Allegan St
Lansing, MI 48918
If you haven’t received your renewal materials within 45 days of your certificate expiring, contact the department for assistance.
Approved Instructor Preparation Program Agencies & Professional Development Courses
To change or correct the information on your provider certificate, complete the Instructor Request of Change form (DES-N06) and provide all necessary documentation as directed.
To reapply for a driver education instruction certificate, submit a new certificate application, all required documents, and payment for the $45 application fee by mail to:
Michigan Department of State
Driver Education and Testing Section
430 W Allegan St
Lansing, MI 48918
Driver testing businesses (Choose tab below)
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Examiner Manual
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Forms
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Resources
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CARS e-Services business management
Examiners are required to periodically submit the following forms to the Driver Education & Testing Section:
- Medical Examination Report (DES-N05)
- Federal DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MCSA-5876)
- Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request form (completed by an approved Michigan State Police live scan vendor). Please email the MDOS-drivertesting@michigan.gov to obtain the current form.
- Standard Verbal Instructions - Automobile Test
- Automatic Failures List - Automobile Test
- Standard Verbal Instructions - 2 and 3 Wheel Motorcycle RST
- 2-Wheel Motorcycle RST Score Sheet
- 3-Wheel Motorcycle RST Score Sheet
- Motorcycle RST - Automatic Failures List
- Notice to Unsuccessful Motorcycle Test Applicants
- Driving Test Route Form
- Driving Test Route Form
Upon establishing a CARS e-Services account, reference the following materials to access and manage your account:
Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) sponsors (Choose tab below)
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BDIC course overview
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Sponsor application
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Correct sponsor account
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CARS e-Services course management
The Michigan Department of State will contact drivers who are eligible to enroll in the Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC). Those who are eligible have 60 days to enroll in, complete, and pass the course. Upon passing, the department won’t make the points or information from the ticket available to insurance companies for drivers who take and pass the BDIC through an approved course sponsor. Approved course sponsors must the Michigan Department of State whether a driver passes or fails the course.
BDIC courses must meet the following conditions:
- Meets or exceeds the curriculum standards set forth in the Defensive Driving Course Instructor Manual, Eighth Edition, published by the National Safety Council
- Provides documented evidence from a federal, state, or local government agency of course effectiveness in reducing collisions, moving violations, or both
- Includes no fewer than 4 hours of instruction
- Contains other information as approved by the Secretary of State, with or without supporting DVD material, and may be offered over the internet or through classroom instruction
A list of approved sponsors is available through Online Services under Driver Education and Testing Businesses, located in the Business Services section.
To become to an approved BDIC course sponsor:
- Mail a completed, signed Course Sponsor Application Form, a BDIC Sponsor Surety Bond form, and information about your proposed curriculum/course to the address on the application.
- If you aren’t authorized to offer the Defensive Driving Course of the National Safety Council, you must submit a curriculum that meets or exceeds the curriculum standards set forth in the Defensive Driving Course Instructor Manual, Eighth edition, published by the National Safety Council. You must also provide documented evidence from a federal, state, or local government agency of course effectiveness in reducing collisions, moving violations, or both. If you are a training agency authorized by the National Safety Council to offer their Defensive Driving Course, you are required to submit written approval from National Safety Council allowing you or your organization to use their curriculum/course.
- Once you have been preliminarily approved you will receive a letter from the Michigan Department of State giving you specific directions on how to complete your application.
- Set up a CARS e-Services BDIC sponsor account and additional user accounts as needed.
To change or correct the information on your provider certificate, complete the BDIC Sponsor Account Change Request Form and provide all necessary documentation as directed.
Upon establishing a CARS e-Services account, reference the following materials to access and manage your account:
Motorcycle Rider Education Sponsors and RiderCoaches
If you are an experienced rider with good riding and communication skills, you may qualify to become a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) certified RiderCoach. Becoming a MSF RiderCoach is a great way to improve your own abilities while helping others to learn or enhance their riding skills.
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RiderCoach requirements
To become a MSF certified RiderCoach you must, at a minimum:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Have a valid license with a motorcycle (CY) endorsement for a minimum of 1 year
- Pass the Basic Rider Course (BRC) within 1 calendar year before attending the RiderCoach Preparation Course
- Have no more than 6 points on your driving record for moving violations during the 12 months before applying for approval as a RiderCoach
- Be sponsored by a Michigan Department of State-approved public or private organization that offers rider safety training courses
- Successfully complete a RiderCoach Preparation Course
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Training
The RiderCoach Preparation Course is approximately 80 hours of classroom and range activity. This course is periodically offered at various locations throughout the state and may be held over several consecutive days or a few weekends.
As part of this course, you will be required to attend and participate in every session, pass a riding-skill test and a knowledge test. You will learn how to teach in the classroom, how to manage the range exercise, and how to evaluate and coach students as they develop their riding skills. The final requirement for certification as a RiderCoach is successful completion of student teaching to a group of BRC new riders.
If selected as a candidate, there is a $75 course fee required to cover the registration fee and materials. If you are interested in this rewarding opportunity to train future motorcyclists, please contact an approved public or private organization that offers rider safety training courses.
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Sponsor resources
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Mi-REP FAQs
Administrative actions and regulation
State law gives the Michigan Department of State the authority to deny, suspend, or revoke a license or certification if the licensee or applicant has not complied with the provisions of the acts or rules that regulate the industry. Driver education providers and instructors, testing businesses, and other driver program sponsors may receive a written warning, be placed on probation, be fined, or have their license suspended if the actions cannot be resolved.
All administrative actions are reported through Online Services under Driver Education and Testing Businesses. You can also file a complaint against a driver education or testing business through Online Services.
Additionally, driver education providers and instructors are required to be certified by the Michigan Department of State. It is a misdemeanor offense to own and operate a driver education business or provide driver education instruction without being certified. Violations are punishable by law and may result in imprisonment or up to a $2,000 fine in addition to administrative fines.
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Contact information
Michigan Department of State
Driver Education and Testing Section
430 West Allegan Street, 3rd Floor
Lansing, Michigan 48918Driver Education
Email: DriverEd@Michigan.govDriver Testing
Email: MDOS-Drivertesting@Michigan.govPhone: 517-241-6850
Fax: 517-335-3155Brandon Cannon
Michigan Rider Education Program (Mi-REP) State Coordinator
Michigan Department of State
430 West Allegan Street, 3rd Floor
Lansing, Michigan 48918Email: Motorcycling@Michigan.gov
Phone: 517-335-3159
CARS e-Services account setup
- BDIC Instructions new Account Managers Download
- BDIC Instructions new users Download
- Driver Testing Business Instructions new Account Managers Download
- Driver Testing Business Instructions New Users Download
- MiREP new Account Managers Instructions Download
- MiREP new Users Instructions Download
- Driver Education Provider Instructions new Account Manager Download
- Driver Education Provider Instructions New Users Download
- Driver Education Instructor Instructions Download
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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BDIC sponsors
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Driver education instructors