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  • 14 yr 9 moYoungest age for the Learner's Licensep. 4
  • 50 hoursOf supervised driving, 10 of them at nightp. 5
  • 6 monthsOn Level 1 before the driving skills testp. 5
  • 70%Needed on each driver education examp. 4–5

Step by step

  1. Finish Segment 1 of driver education

    Start at 14 years, 8 months with a parent's permission: at least 24 hours of class, 6 hours behind the wheel and 4 hours observing, then pass the state exam with 70% or more. (What Every Driver Must Know, p. 4)

  2. Visit a Secretary of State office with a parent or guardian

    At 14 years, 9 months, pass the vision and health standards and bring:

    • Your Segment 1 Certificate of Completion
    • Proof of your Social Security number
    • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence
    • Proof of identity
    • Proof of Michigan residency (two documents)

    (What Every Driver Must Know, p. 4, 6)

  3. Practice with a supervising adult

    Drive only with a licensed parent, guardian or designated licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat, and keep a driving log. (What Every Driver Must Know, p. 5)

  4. Take Segment 2 and the driving skills test

    After three months and 30 logged hours, take Segment 2; after six months and 50 hours (10 at night), take the driving skills test from an approved testing business. (What Every Driver Must Know, p. 5)

Fees and the full list of accepted documents change from time to time, so check them on the Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State) website before you go.

Rules while you have a Level 1 Learner's License

  • A licensed parent, guardian or designated adult 21 or older must sit in the front seat next to you. (What Every Driver Must Know, p. 5)
  • No cell phone use while driving except to report an emergency (Kelsey's Law). (What Every Driver Must Know, p. 5, 24)
  • Everyone in the front seat and every passenger under 16 must be buckled up. (What Every Driver Must Know, p. 25)

What comes next

At 16, after six months on Level 1 with no violations, at-fault crashes or suspensions in the last 90 days and a passed skills test, you move to the Level 2 Intermediate License with night and passenger limits. (What Every Driver Must Know, p. 5)

Ready for the knowledge test?Free Michigan practice exam: 50 questions, 40 to pass.

This guide is a free learning aid based on the What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), not official advice. Rules, documents and fees can change: always confirm with the Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State) before you go. Page numbers are the ones printed on the handbook pages; tap one to open the official PDF at that page. A PDF viewer counts the cover too, so its page numbers run 14 higher.