Michigan Driver Education & Licensing Resources
Find Your MICHIGAN Driving Course
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Why Choose DOT Driving School in Michigan?
DOT Driving School is your trusted source for Michigan driving courses, driver education, and free study tools designed to help Michigan drivers become safer and more confident behind the wheel. Tap any topic to learn more.
We offer a complete selection of online Michigan teen drivers education, Michigan adult driver education, defensive driving / traffic school, and other driver improvement courses. Our online courses are recommended for additional practice, skill development, and driver knowledge.
Getting licensed doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. We combine high-quality online education with powerful free study tools. Practice as much as you'd like with our Free Michigan Permit Practice Test, designed to closely match the Michigan Secretary of State knowledge exam. Build real-world confidence with our Free Driver's License Simulator, where you can practice driving scenarios in a fun, interactive environment. Study Michigan road signs, review Michigan traffic laws, and strengthen your driving skills before ever getting behind the wheel.
From teens earning their first learner's permit and adults obtaining a Michigan driver's license to drivers completing defensive driving or traffic school requirements — or anyone who simply wants to become a safer, more knowledgeable driver — DOT Driving School provides everything you need in one convenient place. Our courses are 100% online, self-paced, affordable, and supported by free study tools that help Michigan drivers succeed.
Michigan driver's ed Segment 1, Michigan permit test, Detroit driving school, Michigan behind-the-wheel training, MI online driver's education
How to Get a Michigan Driver's License
From your first learner's permit to a full Michigan driver's license, here's the general path most Michigan drivers follow. Always verify the latest requirements with Michigan Secretary of State. Tap any step to expand the details.
Start Segment 1 of an approved Michigan driver education course as early as 14 years, 8 months. Segment 1 includes 24 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, and 4 hours of observation.
After completing Segment 1, apply for your Level 1 License at a Secretary of State office at 14 years, 9 months, with a parent or guardian. This is your supervised learner's permit.
Complete Segment 2 (at least 6 hours of classroom) after holding your Level 1 License for at least 3 months, and log 50 hours of supervised driving — including 10 hours at night — with a licensed adult 21 or older.
After holding your Level 1 License for at least 6 months, pass the driving skills test with a certified examiner to move to a Level 2 License.
Receive your Level 2 (intermediate) license at 16, which restricts nighttime driving and limits passengers under 20 for the first 6 months unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
After holding your Level 2 License for at least 6 months with no violations, upgrade to a full, unrestricted Level 3 Michigan driver license at 17.
Michigan Driver's Education Requirements
Michigan has specific driver education requirements for new drivers. Tap any topic to expand the details.
Michigan teens under 18 complete a two-part driver education program: Segment 1 (24 hours of classroom, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, and 4 hours of observation) to earn the Level 1 learner's permit, and Segment 2 (at least 6 hours of classroom) before the driving skills test.
After Segment 1, you must also log 50 hours of supervised driving — including 10 hours at night — with a licensed adult 21 or older before the driving skills test.
Adults 18 and older are not required to complete driver education but must pass the SOS knowledge and driving tests. DOT Driving School connects you with recommended Michigan driver education courses that meet SOS requirements.
Michigan Permit Test Requirements
The Michigan permit test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. Tap any topic to expand the details.
For teens, the Michigan knowledge test is administered as part of Segment 1 driver education and covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving from the Michigan Driver's Manual.
Drivers 18 and older take the Secretary of State knowledge test — 50 questions, 80% to pass (40 correct) — plus a vision test, before the driving skills test.
Before your SOS exam, practice with our free Michigan permit practice test — questions modeled on the Michigan knowledge exam covering road signs, traffic laws, and right-of-way rules. Take it as many times as you'd like to build confidence before test day.
Start the free practice test →Michigan Traffic School & Driver Improvement
Michigan offers a Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) that lets eligible drivers keep a minor traffic ticket off their record, plus defensive driving options for insurance discounts.
A 4-hour state-approved course eligible drivers can take once to keep a qualifying civil traffic ticket off their driving record and avoid the points.
A course many Michigan insurers accept for a safe-driver insurance discount while reinforcing collision-avoidance skills.
Michigan Licensing Agency
Michigan driver licensing is administered by Michigan Secretary of State. Tap any topic to expand the details.
Michigan driver licensing is administered by the Michigan Secretary of State. The Secretary of State issues Level 1 learner's permits, Level 2 and Level 3 driver licenses, and ID cards statewide.
Learn about the Michigan Secretary of State →Michigan Driver's License FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about Michigan learner's permits, driver education, and getting licensed.
You can get your Level 1 License (learner's permit) at 14 years, 9 months after completing Segment 1 of driver education. You can start Segment 1 at 14 years, 8 months.
Yes for teens under 18, who must complete Segment 1 and Segment 2. Adults 18 and older are not required to complete driver education but must pass the SOS knowledge and driving tests.
Michigan uses three levels: Level 1 (supervised learner's permit), Level 2 (intermediate license at 16 with restrictions), and Level 3 (full license at 17 after 6 months at Level 2).
You must log 50 hours of supervised driving — including 10 hours at night — with a licensed adult 21 or older before the driving skills test.
A Level 2 license restricts nighttime driving and limits passengers under 20 for the first 6 months unless a parent or guardian is in the vehicle, with limited exceptions.
BDIC is a 4-hour state-approved course eligible drivers can take once to keep a qualifying traffic ticket off their record and avoid the points.
Disclaimer
Courses identified as “State Approved” are licensed, approved, or accepted by the applicable state agency, as specifically stated on the individual course listing. Not all courses offered through this website are state approved or state required.
DOT Driving School is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the DMV, DOT, FLHSMV, any state driver licensing agency, or any federal, state, county, or local governmental agency, except where a specific course approval or authorization is expressly stated.