RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Michigan

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence

Getting your licence in Michigan

Temporary instruction permit$25
Standard licence$25
Knowledge test online (free at an office)$6.50
A passed knowledge test stays valid1 year

Private testing businesses run the driving skills test and set their own fees.

Before you start driving

2
Temporary instruction permit (18+)Yes. Valid 180 days.
Medical checkNo doctor's exam. The Secretary of State tests your vision.

Required lessons

3
Driver education (under 18)Segment 1 (class and driving) before Level 1, Segment 2 (6 hours of class) later.
Supervised practice (under 18)50 hours, 10 at night.
Adults (18+)No driver education needed. Practise at least 30 days on a temporary instruction permit.

Good to know

7
Minimum ageLevel 1 learner's licence from 14 years 9 months, with driver education. Graduated licensing ends at 18.
Licence validityRenew in person every 12 years, with a new photo and vision test. In between you can renew online.
Exam languagesKnowledge test in English and several other languages, written or audio.
If you failKnowledge test: try again on another day.
Automatic or manualNo restriction. A licence earned in an automatic covers manual cars too.
New driversUnder 18: a Level 2 intermediate licence before the full licence, with no phone use at all.
Already have a licence from abroad?Licences from other countries don't transfer: you take the knowledge and driving skills tests. See the Abroad tab.

Step by step

  1. Knowledge testOnline with a webcam, or at a Secretary of State office.
  2. Temporary instruction permitAt an office, with vision test and documents.
  3. PractiseAt least 30 days with a licensed adult.
  4. Driving skills testWith an authorised driver testing business.
  5. LicenceProcessed after the test and sent by post.

Tips

  • Book the driving skills test with a private testing business, not the Secretary of State.
  • If you don't pass the driving test within 180 days, you start again with a new permit.

Official links

Michigan SOS: New drivers (under 18) ↗Michigan SOS: New Michigan residents ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

Our responsibility. We work hard to keep RoadVisa correct, but we can't promise it is complete or up to date. As far as the law allows, we are not responsible for fines, refused applications, costs or other losses that come from relying on it.

Links to other sites. We link to official and other websites for your convenience. We don't control them and aren't responsible for their content.

Found a mistake? Use the report form above. What you send is used only to check and correct the information. See our privacy notice.