New drivers (under 18)

Young drivers are at an increased risk of being involved in a vehicle crash, in part, because their brains are still in the process of growing and maturing, resulting in a lack of certain impulse and emotion controls that are important in processing complex tasks such as driving. Limited driving experience and immaturity combine to place young drivers at a higher risk for crashes. Teen drivers are especially at risk:

• At night: Driving is more difficult and dangerous at night for everyone, but particularly for teenagers. Young drivers have less experience driving at night than during the day, and drowsiness and alcohol may be more of a factor at night. Sixteen and 17-year-old drivers are about three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash at night than during the day.
• After drinking alcohol: Young drivers' inexperience with both driving and drinking means that they have a higher crash risk no matter how much alcohol they have consumed (when compared to older drivers). No matter the age, no one should ever drink alcohol or use drugs and drive.
• With passengers: Teenage passengers can distract young drivers and encourage them to take risks. The risk of a fatal crash increases in direct relation to the number of teens in the car. Adding just one passenger increases a teen driver’s crash risk by 50%. With three or more passengers – the risk is nearly four times greater than when driving alone. Limiting passengers is essential.
• When not wearing a seatbelt: Seat belts reduce the risk of injury or fatality in a crash, but teen drivers and passengers have lower belt-use rates than older drivers and passengers. In fact, the majority of teens involved in fatal crashes are unbuckled.
• When using a cell phone: Any activity that pulls a driver's attention from the road should be avoided, and this is especially true with cell phones. In Michigan, it is illegal to use a cell phone when driving. Exceptions are made for emergency situations and in limited situations when using "hands free" technology is allowed. Additionally, Kelsey's Law specifically prohibits teen drivers with a GDL 1 Learner's License or a GDL 2 Intermediate License from using any electronic or cellular device, except in an emergency.
• When speeding: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, speeding is a contributing factor in fatal crashes for teen drivers. In 2019, speeding was noted in 27% of fatal crashes among teen drivers. Studies show that teens are less likely to speed if they drive the family car as opposed to their own vehicle. 

For more detailed information, please select the "GDL explained step by step" tabs.

In Michigan, teens under the age of 18 who want to learn to drive must complete driver education as part of the in the Graduated Driver Licensing system (GDL). Driver education is offered through state-certified, independently owned, driver education businesses (providers).

Under GDL, teens must complete two segments of driver education instruction and meet the requirements for each of the three licensing levels. Driving privileges are increased at each new licensing level.

• Driver education - Segment 1 (Note: Teens must be at least 14 years and 8 months to enroll in driver education Segment 1.) Segment 1 consists of classroom instruction and on-the-road driver training. A score of at least 70% on the Segment 1 state exam is required to pass the course.
• Level 1 Learner's License (Note: Teens must be at least age 14 years and 9 months to obtain a Level 1 License.) A Level 1 License allows a teen to drive under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or adult age 21 or older (who is designated by the parent or guardian). The parent, guardian, or designated adult accompanying the teen driver must have a valid, unexpired driver's license.
• Supervised driving and the driving log: Teens are required to keep a driving log and complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving (10 hours at nighttime) before they can take the driving skills test, which is required for the Level 2 License. Only a licensed parent, guardian, or designated driver age 21 or older may coach a teen driver.
• Driver education - Segment 2 consists of a minimum of six hours of classroom instruction. A score of at least 70% on the Segment 2 state exam is required to pass the course. Teens must log at least 30 hours of supervised driving time (including a minimum of two hours of nighttime driving) and have had their Level 1 License for at least three consecutive months before they can take Segment 2. 
• Driving skills test must be passed before the Level 2 License can be issued. Driving skills tests are given by independent driver testing businesses.
• Level 2 Intermediate License allows teens to drive without supervision but places specific driving restrictions related to late night driving and passengers. Teens cannot drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., may only have one passenger, and cannot use a cell phone while driving except in emergencies.
• Level 3 Full License allows teens to drive without supervision or passenger and nighttime driving restrictions. However, parents and guardians are encouraged to continue to monitor their teen's driving.

Note: A parent or legal guardian can hold a teen at their current licensing level (GDL 1 or GDL 2) or cancel their GDL license at any time before their 18th birthday. To request a hold or cancellation of their teens' GDL license, the parent or legal guardian needs to schedule a visit at a Secretary of State office.

Driver education providers

When searching for a driver education provider, the first place many people go is the internet. But be careful because not all driver education courses that are returned in your search results are approved by the State of Michigan. For example, "driver education courses" that are only available online may be a useful study aid, but they do not meet the requirements for instruction, testing, behind-the-wheel training, and supervised practice needed to obtain a Michigan driver's license.

Approved driver education instruction is provided by state-certified, independently owned driver education businesses (providers). These providers meet all of the administrative and curriculum requirements under the Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act and are accepted by the Michigan Department of State.

Other considerations when finding a driver education provider include the program costs and any contract requirements. Program fees are set by the provider and not the Michigan Department of State. Check with several providers and compare rates to find a course that fits your budget.

Finding a certified driver education provider

For a list of certified driver education providers, select the "Locate a a driver education provider" button. Once the web page has loaded, you may search for a driver education provider using either the "List all driver education classrooms" or the "County" options.

Search by "List all driver education classrooms." Searching by classroom will give the most results, as providers may have several classroom locations across the state. However, these classrooms may not be used continuously throughout the year and may be available only at certain times.

Search by "county." Select your county from the drop-down list in the "county" search field to see a list of driver education providers in that county.

Locate a driver education provider

Teens with disabilities enrolling in driver education may be entitled to accommodations (including appropriate auxiliary aids and services) at no cost, as long as their disabilities do not prevent them from driving safely and unless providing such auxiliary aids or services would fundamentally alter the nature of the program or result in an undue burden. The Michigan Department of State encourages parents and driver education providers to work together to provide an appropriate accommodation to help meet the needs of the student. If a driver education or driver testing business won’t provide reasonable accommodations after discussing it with them, or if a parent or guardian has questions or concerns about accommodations for their teen, please email the Michigan Department of State Driver Education and Testing Section at MDOS-Access@Michgan.gov.

For additional information, contact the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division/Disability Rights Division ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice); 833-610-1264 (TTY); ADA.gov; or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights at 800-482-3604 (voice); 877-878-8464 (TTY). 

Segment 1 is the first driver education course when starting Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL). Although there is a state-mandated minimum requirement for the number of hours of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction, driver education providers can offer more than the minimum hours of instruction as a part of their syllabus. All driver education providers must be certified by the Michigan Department of State before any instruction can be offered to the public. 

The amount of time to complete Segment 1 depends on whether the driver education provider is offering additional hours of instruction and on student enrollment and can range from a month or two to several months.

When searching for a driver education provider, the first place many people go is the internet. But be careful because not all driver education courses that are returned in your search results are approved by the State of Michigan. For example, "driver education courses" that are only available online may be a useful study aid, but they do not meet the requirements for instruction, testing, behind-the-wheel training, and supervised practice needed to obtain a Michigan driver's license. Approved driver education instruction is provided by state-certified, independently owned driver education businesses (providers). These providers meet all of the administrative and curriculum requirements under the Michigan Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act.

Finding a certified driver education provider

For a list of certified driver education providers, select the "Locate a driver education provider" button. Once the web page has loaded, you may search for a driver education provider using either the "List all driver education classrooms" or "County" options.

• Search by ""List all driver education classrooms." Searching by classroom will give the most results, as providers may have several classroom locations across the state. However, these classrooms may not be used continuously throughout the year and may be available only at certain times.

• Search by "county." Select your county from the drop-down list in the "county" search field to see a list all driver education providers located in that county.

Note: A teen must be at least age 14 years and 8 months to enroll in Segment 1.

Locate a driver education provider

Segment 1 includes:

• A total of at least 24 hours of classroom instruction (classes are restricted to no more than two hours of instruction per day). Classroom instruction occurs over the course of three or more weeks. Students are required to receive at least four hours of classroom instruction before starting any behind-the-wheel training.
• A minimum of six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, with at least three of the six hours completed before the classroom instruction ends. Only one hour of behind-the-wheel practice is allowed per day. No later than three weeks after the classroom instruction has been completed, students must complete any remaining required behind-the-wheel instruction.
• A minimum of four hours of driver's training observation time in a vehicle with other students and an instructor.

A score of at least 70% on the Segment 1 state exam is required to pass the course.

A Parent Driving Permit is available for teens enrolled in Segment 1. This special permit allows the teen to practice driving under the supervision of their licensed parent or guardian only while the teen is enrolled in and attending a Segment 1 course. Parent Driving permits are issued by the driver education provider after receiving authorization from the parent or guardian. This permit is not required but is an option for parents and guardians to consider if they think their teen may need additional practice and support after enrolling in Segment 1.

After a teen completes the Segment 1 course requirements and passes the Segment 1 state exam, they and their parent or guardian will need to visit at a Secretary of State office in order to apply for the Level 1 License.

Pre-applying for the Level 1 License

Applicants will pre-apply for the Level 1 License when scheduling their Secretary of State office visit. Pre-applying streamlines the license application and shortens the amount of time spent at a Secretary of State office. Pre-applying also provides information about the required identity and residency documents that must be submitted before the license application can move forward.

At the Secretary of State office, the teen must be accompanied by their parent or guardian and will need to:

• Pass a vision test
• Present proof of (select the "Required documents" button for more information):
  • A valid Social Security number (or a letter of ineligibility)
  • Legal presence
  • Identity
  • Michigan residency
• Have their photograph taken

A licensing fee of $25 will be due. Teens will be issued a hard card as their Level 1 License and must have it with them whenever they drive. Teens can only drive with a licensed parent, guardian, or a designated, adult age 21 or older in the vehicle. (The designated, licensed adult must have a signed letter of authorization from the parent or guardian when supervising the teen driver.)

Parents and guardians will be provided with a copy of the Supervised Driving Guide when their teen applies for the Level 1 License. The Supervised Driving Guide will be the parent or guardian's handbook to coaching their teen and for recording the hours of supervised driving.

Under Kelsey's Law, teens with a Level 1 License are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving, except in the case of an emergency.

Note: A parent or legal guardian can hold a teen at their current licensing level (GDL 1 or GDL 2) or cancel their GDL license at any time before the teen's 18th birthday. To request a hold or cancellation of their teen's GDL license, the parent or legal guardian needs to schedule a visit at a Secretary of State office.

Secretary of State offices accept:

• Cash, checks, money orders. (Checks and money orders should be made payable to the State of Michigan.)
• American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa debit/credit cards along with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. A service fee is charged if using a debit/credit card.

Required documents

Supervised Driving Guide

Once a teen has been issued their Level 1 License, they are eligible to begin driving with a parent, guardian, or a designated driver age 21 or older. The person supervising the teen driver must have a valid, unexpired driver's license.

The driving log is an important part of this process because it is the documented record of a teen's supervised driving and will be required to:

1. Start Segment 2: Teens must have completed at least 30 hours of supervised driving, including at least two hours of nighttime driving and recorded the time in their driving log before taking Segment 2.
2. Take the driving skills test: Teens must have completed at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 hours of nighttime driving and recorded the time in their driving log before they can take the driving skills test to obtain their Level 2 License.

Parents and guardians may be hesitant about how best to work with their child as the teen progresses through GDL. The Supervised Driving Guide was developed to assist parents and guardians as they start coaching their teen driver. The guide provides helpful information, advice, step-by-step instructions, tips, and lesson plans to make the process as beneficial, stress-free, and educational as possible. The guide also provides a sample driving log that can be used to record a teen's hours and progress. Parents, guardians, or teens may also create their own logbook based on the logbook in the Supervised Driving Guide.

The Supervised Driving Guide provides useful tips for parents and guardians when coaching their teen driver such as:

• Expect your teen to make mistakes; it is a normal part of learning. Keep calm and ask your teen to repeat the maneuver until it is done correctly.
• Keep your instructions simple and concise.
• Make sure your instructions are consistent with what the instructor is teaching.
• You are a driving role model for your teen. You have been unconsciously sharing your driving habits throughout your teen's life - make sure you are consistently obeying all traffic laws and exhibiting good driving behavior whenever you are behind the wheel.

If any questions or concerns come up during the coaching process, parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their teen's driver education instructor to ensure consistency in the information being taught and to avoid any confusion.

Supervised Driving Guide

Segment 2 is the final segment of required driver education classroom instruction in GDL. Segment 2 requires that:

• Teens have held a Level 1 License for at least three months and completed at least 30 hours of supervised driving (with two hours at night) before being applying for Segment 2.
• A minimum of six hours of classroom instruction be provided to students. Classes are limited to two hours per day, and most Segment 2 courses last about three days. Segment 2 providers may offer additional hours of instruction above the six-hour minimum requirement.

The driving skills test is administered by independent testing organizations contracted with the Michigan Department of State. To prepare for the test, teens should review the Driving Skills Test Study Guide. The test will take about 45 minutes to an hour and a half to complete.

Fees charged by driver testing businesses are not regulated by the Michigan Department of State. Before scheduling an appointment, applicants should inquire about all third-party testing fees, including initial and retest fees, refund policies, charges for improper documents, defective equipment, and failure to keep a test appointment.

To find a driver testing business near you, select the "Locate a driver testing business" button. Find your county from the county drop-down list and select it. Choosing the "Yes" option under "Show locations from nearby counties," will also include driver testing businesses located near your county.

Locate a driver testing business

Before and during the driving skills test

Both the parent or guardian and the teen must be present at the driving skills test. Before any testing takes place, the driving skills test examiner will inspect the vehicle that the teen will drive, and if the vehicle does not meet legal or safety standards (for example, a missing side view mirror or a broken taillight), the test will be cancelled. The examiner will also check for a valid certificate of Michigan No-Fault insurance, vehicle registration, and license plate with the correct year's tab.

During the test, the applicant is not allowed to use any study aids, notes, a cell phone, or other electronic devices. If required, a sign language interpreter or a foreign language interpreter may be present in the vehicle during the exam to translate the examiner's instructions. More information is available in the Driving Skills Test Study Guide booklet.

Driver-activated features and systems

Driver-activated features include systems that are not operated by default but require an action by the driver to start them. Examples may include a parking-assist system that automatically parks the vehicle, a four-way camera, or an automated self-driving feature in which the vehicle steers itself. Driver-activated features and systems are not allowed during the driving skills test. If there is any question about whether a system or device is permitted, check with the testing examiner before the test begins.

What the driving skills test covers:

• An inspection of the vehicle the teen will be driving.
• Basic controls test.
• On-the-road driving test.

Before teens can take a driving skills test, they must:

• Be at least 15 years old and accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Have successfully completed Segment 2.
• Have held a GDL Level 1 License for six consecutive months.
• Completed the minimum 50 hours of supervised driving time, including 10 hours at night.
• Have had no convictions, civil infractions, license suspensions or at-fault crashes during the 90-day period immediately preceding the driving skills test and application for the Level 2 License.

What must be presented to the driving skills examiner:

• Proof of valid vehicle insurance and registration.
• Level 1 License.
• Segment 2 Certificate of Completion.
• Logbook signed by the parent or guarding and documenting at least 50 hours of supervised driving, with 10 hours at night.

Passing or failing the driving skills test

Teens who pass the driving skills test will be issued a signed Driving Skills Test receipt from the examiner. The Driving Skills Test receipt is not a license. The teen will automatically progress to the Level 2 License once the teen is 16 years of age, has gone 90 days without a conviction, and their passing of Segment 2 is reported. There is no need to visit a Secretary of State office for a teen to progress to a Level 2 License.

A failure in any one of the three testing components (vehicle inspection, basic controls test, or the on-the-road driving test) will automatically terminate the driving skills test. Applicants who fail the driving skills test will have to schedule a new appointment and start over. Only one driving skills test may be taken in a 24-hour period.

Driving Skills Test Study Guide

Teens will be advanced to the Level 2 License once they meet all of the requirements - no visit to a Secretary of State office is necessary.

To obtain a Level 2 License, teens must:

• Successfully pass the driving skills test.
• Be at least age 16.
• Have held a Level 1 License for at least 6 months.
• Have had no violations or at-fault crashes within the last 90 days.

Driving restrictions under the Level 2 License:

• No more than one passenger under age 21 (except for immediate family members).
• No driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• No cell phones or texting.
• Seat belts are required for everyone in the front seat, and everyone under age 16 in the vehicle.

Passengers and nighttime driving are allowed with a Level 2 License under the following circumstances. When a teen is: 

• Driving to or from a job, or in the course of the job.
• Driving to or from an authorized activity, such as a school-sanctioned or after-school event.
• Accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 years or older. 

Refer to MCL 257.310e for complete information about Level 2 License passenger and nighttime driving restrictions.

Under Kelsey's Law, teens with a Level 2 License are prohibited from using a cell phone when driving, except for emergencies.

Note: A parent or legal guardian can hold a teen at their current licensing level (GDL 1 or GDL 2) or cancel their GDL license at any time before their 18th birthday. To request a hold or cancellation of their teens' GDL license, the parent or legal guardian needs to schedule a visit at a Secretary of State office.

Teens will automatically advance from the Level 2 License to the Level 3 License after meeting all of the criteria for licensing.

To be eligible for a Level 3 License, teens must:

• Be at least age 17.
• Have held a Level 2 License for a minimum of six months.
• Have had 12 consecutive months without any violations or at-fault crashes.

The Level 3 License is automatically issued at no fee if all requirements are met and parental authorization was granted. There are no GDL restrictions on a Level 3 License.

In Michigan, drivers (including teens with a Level 3 License) are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving, except in the case of an emergency or under a few non-emergency exceptions (MCL 257.602b).

Note: A parent or legal guardian can hold a teen at their current licensing level (GDL 1 or GDL 2) or cancel their GDL license at any time before their 18th birthday. To request a hold or cancellation of their teens' GDL license, the parent or legal guardian needs to schedule a visit at a Secretary of State office.

Graduated Driver Licensing ends for all teens when they turn 18. Whether or not they advance to an operator's license will depend on the GDL licensing level they hold.

Level 1 License - age 18

• Teens with a Level 1 License will lose their license and all driving privileges when they turn 18. If they wish to obtain a driver's license, they will need to follow the procedures for applicants who are age 18 and older.

Level 2 or Level 3 License - age 18

• Teens with a valid Level 2 or Level 3 license will automatically be issued an operator's license before their 18^th birthday. The operator's license will be sent to the teen using the mailing address on file. The license has a vertical format with "Under 21" printed on it and will expire on the teen's 21 birthday.

Operator's license - age 21

• When a teen nears their 21^st birthday, they must apply for a new license. If they apply more than 54 days before their 21^st birthday, the license will be issued in a vertical format with the "Under 21" designation printed on it. The license will be printed and mailed within 10-14 days of the application date.

• If they apply within 54 days of their 21^st birthday, they will receive a driver's license in the horizontal format without the "Under 21" designation. The license will be printed and mailed a few days before the applicant's birthday.