Applying for a New License

Freedom. For many of us, that's what getting our first driver license means. No more bugging people for rides or waiting in a cold doorway for a friend to pick us up. You're independent and on the move―for just $25.

Getting there, however, is no easy task. For young drivers (those under 18), it means gradually earning more rights as their experience deepens. For all first-time drivers, the Secretary of State's office will keep an extra close eye on you during a three-year probationary period after you get your license.

Licensing Requirements

To be eligible for a driver license, you must be 18 or older. (Younger drivers, see below.) You must also:

• Have a valid ID.

• Have proof that you're a Michigan resident.

• As of January 22, 2008 you must also prove you have a permanent legal presence in the United States.

• Provide your Social Security number.

• Pass a vision test and basic health screening.

• Pass a written (knowledge) test on road, traffic, and vehicle knowledge.

• Complete a minimum of 30 days of practice driving while under a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP).

• Pass a road skills test. (If you have a valid out-of-state license, this requirement may be waived.)

• Pay the appropriate fees.

Physical Standards

The health screening really is only a matter of a couple of questions to make sure you're capable of driving safely. If there is a question about your ability to operate a vehicle safely, your application could be denied until you present additional information.

Vision Standards

Michigan's minimum vision standards are 20/40, with or without corrective lenses in one eye. If your vision is correctable to only 20/70, you'll still be able to obtain a license, but you will be restricted to daylight operation only.

If you need to wear glasses to achieve the minimum vision standards, your license will show that corrective lenses must be worn while you drive.

Your visual field needs to be at least 140 degrees.

Temporary Instruction Permits

If you're 18 or older and haven't been part of a Graduated Driver License Program (see below), you'll need to first apply for a Temporary Instruction Permit before you'll be allowed to apply for your driver license. The TIP is valid for 180 days and will allow you to practice driving while under the supervision of a licensed adult driver.

You'll also need a TIP if you hold an expired driver license or if your Michigan or out-of-state license has been expired for four years or more.

To obtain a TIP, you'll need to provide your Social Security number and pass a vision and written knowledge test at a Secretary of State branch office. You may also be asked to identify certain road signs.

You must have a TIP for at least 30 days before applying for a road skills test and your driver license.

Written Test

Michigan's 40-question, multiple-choice written (knowledge) test is based on information contained in its operator's manual, What Every Driver Must Know.

The test will include questions on traffic laws and safe driving practices, and it's simple to pass if you studied the manual thoroughly. If your native language isn't English, you'll need to contact a branch office for a list of interpreters prior to taking the test. There also are printed translations of the knowledge tests in several languages.

If you are hearing impaired, you can request a sign language interpreter in advance of a branch office visit, or you may use an interpreter on their approved list.

Road Skills Test

The state is no longer in the business of administering driving tests. Instead, a network of certified private examiners exists to guide you through your last test before licensing.

Anyone applying for an original license, or who's allowed a license to lapse for more than four years, will need to pass a road skills test.

The Secretary of State does not set the road skills test fee, so when you choose a testing agency, make sure to also check its fee.

You can get a copy of the Road Skills Test Study Guide online or at a branch office to help you be fully prepared on the day of the test. The road skills test is made up of three parts.

The first, a vehicle inspection, should take about five minutes and won't be scored. You'll need to make sure all equipment is in working condition and that the car is safe to operate. If any equipment isn't working, the test will be terminated.

Then, you'll take a short (about five minutes) drive through a closed course to demonstrate some simple maneuvers, like backing into a driveway and parallel parking.

Assuming you pass the closed course, you'll hit the road for a 30-minute test of your driving skills. Expect to be asked to do a little bit of everything: left turns, highway driving, merging with traffic, and even comfortably turning your radio or heater on and off while driving.

Lose no more than 25 points during the test, and you'll be eligible for a Michigan driver license. Take your signed skills endorsement to a branch office, have your picture taken, and you're set.

The Graduated Driver License

Like many states, Michigan has a multitiered driver license program for younger drivers. The idea behind it, of course, is safety. A Graduated Driver License (GDL) walks teens though the learning process in a more deliberate manner, teaching smaller increments and slowly allowing them to have more driving freedom.

Level 1 Learner's License

A Level 1 Learner's License is available once a teen is 14 years and nine months old. To be eligible, you must present identification, provide your Social Security number, and pass a vision test.

You also must complete Segment 1 of an approved driver education program and have a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult sign your permit.

Once you have your learner's permit, you can only drive with a parent, guardian, or responsible adult.

Level 2―The Intermediate License

This is the big step up; it's time for the road test.

First, you'll need to be at least 16, have had your Level 1 Learner's License for at least six months, and have completed Segment 2 of an approved driver education program (and have a Segment 2 Certificate of Completion to prove it).

You'll need to find a certified private examiner to administer your road skills test, because the state no longer performs this part of the drill. The Secretary of State does not set the road skills test fee, either, so when you choose a testing agency, make sure to also check its fee.

Before you take the test, read the Road Skills Test Study Guide so you can be fully prepared on test day. The test is made up of three parts.

The first, a vehicle inspection, should take about five minutes and won't be scored. You'll need to make sure all equipment is in working condition and that the car is safe to operate. If any equipment isn't working, the test will be terminated.

Then, you'll take a short (five-minute) drive through a closed course to demonstrate some simple maneuvers, like backing into a driveway and parallel parking.

Assuming you pass the closed course, you'll hit the road for a 30-minute test of your driving skills. Expect to be asked to do a little bit of everything: left turns, highway driving, merging with traffic, and even comfortably turning your radio or heater on and off while driving.

Lose no more than 25 points during the test, and you're almost home free.

Back at your branch office, you'll once again need to pass a vision test.

You'll also need:

• The Road Skills Test endorsement.

• Your Segment 2 Certificate of Completion.

• Your Level 1 Learner's License or other ID.

• The signature of your parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult on the application certifying that you've had at least 50 hours of driving practice.

• The $25 driver license application fee (paid at the Level 2 License step only).

If you've had no convictions or civil infractions, license suspensions, or at-fault crashes for the 90-day period immediately prior to applying, you'll get your picture taken and your Level 2 License issued.

This license allows you to drive unsupervised between 5 a.m. to midnight, but you'll need supervision to drive from midnight to 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work.

Level 3―The Full License

You don't have to do anything to obtain an unrestricted Level 3 License except allow a little time to pass and stay out of trouble.

You'll automatically get the Level 3 License once you're at least 17 years old, have been at Level 2 for six months, and have been accident- and violation-free for 12 months. Your new license will be automatically mailed to you from Lansing.

The GDL program ends for all teens when they turn 18. At that point, those who haven't yet received a Level 3 License will be subject to the process described above under "Licensing Requirements."

Enhanced Driver's License

To help bolster border safety while maintaining the ability to easily travel to and from Canada and other Western Hemisphere countries, Michigan is proposing two new types of driver's licenses:

1. An upgraded "standard" driver's license and state-issued identification card, both of which will include additional safety features and act as passport alternatives for domestic air travel once the federal REAL ID Act takes effect.
2. An enhanced driver's license and state-issued identification card, both of which will act as passport alternatives for travel to and from Canada and other Western Hemisphere countries under the federal Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

If either or both of these proposed licenses become realities, you must be a legal Michigan resident and U.S. citizen to obtain one.

For your convenience, Michigan provides thorough details about these proposals online.

New to Michigan

Drivers Older Than 18

You can nab a Michigan driver's license from any Secretary of State office. You will need to bring:

• A Social Security card.

• Proof of legal presence or U.S. citizenship, identity and Michigan residency.

You will also need to pass a vision test and prove you meet the state's physical and mental standards. If you've never held a license or if you're license has been expired for more than four years, you will need to pass a written test in order to obtain a temporary permit. Once you have this, you will then be able to take the state's road test.

Chances are good, if you own a current out-of-state license, that you will not be required to take a written and road test.

Drivers Younger Than 18

To obtain a Michigan driver's license, you must visit any Secretary of State office. While there you will need to:

• Provide a Social Security card.

• Provide proof of legal presence or U.S. citizenship, identity and Michigan residency.

• Pass a vision test and meet the state's physical and mental standards.

• Meet the requirements of Michigan's Graduated Driver Licensing program (see above).

You must also be accompanied by your parent or legal guardian.

Depending on your experience, you may be asked to pass a road test.

You will be denied a Michigan license if you hold an out-of-state license that has been revoked or suspended.

Non-Citizen Driver

You'll follow all of the exact steps as described above, with identification being the lone difference. Bear in mind that new identification requirements went into effect on January 22, 2008.

When applying you must bring:

Social Security

You must either present a valid Social Security card or a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) verifying your ineligibility. This letter cannot be more than 30 days old.

Permanent Legal Presence

You must present one of the following:

• A valid, unexpired Permanent Resident card issued after December 1997 (I-551).

• A Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570 or N-578).

• Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State (FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545).

Identity Verification

Depending on your situation, you may be required to present more than one of the following documents:

• A Canadian driver's license or ID card. Expired documents of less than one year will be honored.

• A valid foreign passport in your name with English translation. The SOS will accept passports expired for less than one year.

• A photo ID issued by a federal or Michigan government agency.

• A divorce decree from anywhere in the U.S.

• A marriage certificate from anywhere in the U.S.

• A Michigan adoption record.

• A school ID, transcript, or diploma showing your name and photo.

• A Michigan driver certificate if you're under 18.

• A second document from Permanent Legal Section.

All documents must be originals. The SOS will not accept photocopies or scans.

Proof of Michigan Residency

You must present two of the following documents that show your name and address:

• A utility or credit card bill, no older than 90 days.

• A life, home, health or auto insurance policy.

• A Michigan car title and registration.

• An employer's pay stub or earnings statement.

• A mortgage, rental or lease agreement.

• An account statement from your bank, no older than 90 days.

• A Michigan college, university or high school transcript or report card less than two years old.

Identification Questions

If you have any questions, call the Department of State Information Center at (888) 767-6424.

Foreign Visitors

If you're merely visiting Michigan from another country, you can drive with your own valid driver's license. It's a good idea to get an International Driver's Permit (IDP) issued from your home country. This basically translates your driver's license to English. Also, many car rental agencies require an IDP in addition to your driver's license.

Licensing Fees

For those in the Graduated Driver License program, you pay nothing for your Level 1 and Level 3 licenses, but you'll pay $25 for your Level 2. For all other types of operator licenses, the fees are as follows:

• Operator's License

• Original: $25

• Renewal: $18

• Duplicate: $9

• Correction: $9

• Chauffeur's License

• Original: $35

• Renewal: $35

• Duplicate: $18

• Correction: $18

• Commercial Driver's License Group Designation

• Original: $25

• Renewal: $25

• Group endorsement: $5 each

• Motorcycle Endorsement

• Original endorsement (first) or TIP: $13.50

• Renewal: $5

• Moped License

• Original: $7.50

• Renewal: $6