Drivers Ed in Michigan

Driver's Education in Michigan

If you are a teenager, you will need to take driver's education as part of the graduated driver licensing (GDL) program, which you must complete before you apply for your full driver's license.

Driver's education includes both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel driving instruction, and will cover topics including:

  • Basic driving techniques.
  • Defensive driving.
  • Basic road rules.

Driver's education is not to be confused with the basic driver improvement courses (BDIC) offered in Michigan, which are designed for those who wish to have traffic points removed from their record.

MI Driver's Education Eligibility Requirements

Driver's education in Michigan is split into 2 segments, and you'll need to meet different requirements to enroll into each one.

NOTE: Driver's Ed is mandatory in Michigan if you wish to drive before you turn 18 years old.

To begin Segment 1 of Driver's Ed in MI, you must:

  • Be at least 14 years and 8 months old.
  • Have permission from your parent or legal guardian.

To begin Segment 2 of Driver's Ed, you must:

  • Have held a Level 1 Learner's License (learner's permit) for at least 3 months.
  • Have completed at least 30 hours of driving with an approved licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. Of those hours, 2 hours must be done at night.

About Your Michigan Driver's Ed Course

Both segments of Driver's Ed in Michigan must be completed before you can take the driving skills test and apply for your full Michigan driver's license.

  • Segment 1 must be completed to obtain your Level 1 Learner's License and enroll in Segment 2.
  • Segment 2 must be completed to obtain your Level 2 Intermediate License and graduate to a full driver's license.

The cost of driver education varies depending on your provider. See “ Types of Driver's Ed Courses in MI" below.

Segment 1

Segment 1 must be completed first in order to obtain your Michigan Level 1 Learner's License and move on to Segment 2. To pass Segment 1, you must:

  • Complete the classroom component.
  • Complete the driving component.
  • Pass a written test in order to get your Level 1 Learner's License (learners permit.)

Classroom Instruction

You must complete at least 24 hours of classroom instruction (at least 4 hours must be completed before starting the driving component).

NOTE: You are restricted to a maximum of 2 hours of classroom instruction per day. Personal study done at home does not count towards classroom time.

You must also pass a written test once you have completed your classroom hours in order to receive a certificate of completion and apply for a Level 1 Learner's License. Depending on your Driver's Ed provider, you may be required to pass additional tests. Check with your provider for more information.

NOTE: You must complete at least 3 hours of driving instruction before you can take your last classroom session.

Driving Instruction

You must complete at least 4 hours of classroom instruction before you can begin your driving requirements.

Your driving component consists of:

  • 6 hours behind-the-wheel driving instruction..
  • 4 hours observation time in a training vehicle.

You have 3 weeks to finish the remainder of your driving hours once you've completed the classroom component.

NOTE: You are restricted to 1 hour of driving instruction per day.

Get Your Level 1 Learner's License

Once you've completed Segment 1 of Driver's Ed, you can apply for your Level 1 Learner's License/permit at a MI Secretary of State (SOS) office location. You must:

Segment 2

After you receive your Level 1 learners permit, you'll need to hold your Level 1 Learner License and complete additional driving practice with your parent/guardian before you're allowed to enroll in Segment 2 of your MI driver's education course.

To begin Segment 2 of Driver's Ed, you must:

  • Have had your Level 1 Learner's License (permit) for at least 3 months (consecutively).
  • Have completed at least 30 hours of practice driving with your parent, guardian, or approved licensed driver who is at least 21 years old; note that 2 hours must have been completed at night.

To pass this segment, you must complete 6 hours of classroom time. There is no driving component.

NOTE: You are restricted to 2 hours of classroom instruction per day.

Types of Driver's Ed Courses in MI

In Michigan, both public and private driving schools provide driver's education. Currently, online driver's education is NOT approved within the state. Visit the Michigan Department of State website for:

Fees will vary depending on which provider you choose. Contact them directly for more information.

During Segment 1 of your Michigan driver's education course, your driving school may issue a driving permit to your parent to allow you to practice driving on your learner's permit under their supervision.

Driver's Ed providers in Michigan also have special accommodations for teenagers with special needs. For more information, contact the Michigan Department of Education's Office of Special Education at (888) 320-8384.

After Driver's Ed – Getting Your Driver's License

Once you've completed both segments of driver's education, you can apply for a Level 2 license, then move on to your full Michigan driver's license.

Get Your Level 2 Intermediate License

Once you've completed Segment 2 of Michigan Driver's Ed, you'll need to complete additional driving practice to equal 50 hours, with 10 hours driven at night. Once you've driven these hours, you can obtain a Level 2 Intermediate License. You must:

  • Be 16 years old or older.
  • Meet the vision requirements and physical and mental standards.
  • Pass a driving skills test.
  • Present:
    • Your Segment 2 certificate of completion.
    • Proof of your legal U.S. presence.
    • Your driving skills test certificate.
  • Be conviction-free for 90 days prior to applying.
  • Have held your level 1 Learner's Permit for at least 6 months.
  • Have your parent/guardian certify you have completed the driving requirement.

Get Your Full Driver's License

You will automatically advance to your full MI driver's license if you:

  • Are 17 years old.
  • Have had your Level 2 Intermediate License for at least 6 months.
  • Have been violation-free for at least 12 months prior to your application.

When you turn 18 years old, you will have successfully completed the graduated license program.

For more information, see our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Michigan page.

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