Michigan Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your Michigan learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official SOS pages and linked to the source.
MichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
MichiganSOSMichigan Secretary of State — New Drivers 18 and OlderChecked 2026-08-12Official source
MichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
MichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source: Michigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18 ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The Michigan licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what SOS itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where SOS publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Minimum permit age14 years 9 monthsMichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Level 1 license after completing Segment 1 driver education and passing vision/health standards
2Documents
SOS lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- Segment 1 driver education certificate
- Parent or legal guardian consent
- Proof of legal presence, identity, Social Security number, and Michigan residency
The knowledge test and the permit itself are handled in the same visit.
MichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
3Required education
Michigan's own published steps name a training requirement:
- Complete Segment 1 driver education and apply for Level 1 at 14 years 9 months or older
MichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
4Application
Permit fee$25MichiganSOSMichigan Secretary of State — New Drivers 18 and OlderChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Web search: Michigan Level 1 learner's permit fee $25
5Knowledge test
Questions on the official testSOS does not publish thisMichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Official passing scoreSOS does not publish thisMichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Wait before a retake1 dayMichiganSOSMichigan Secretary of State — New Drivers 18 and OlderChecked 2026-08-12Official source
6Permit restrictions
Permit validitySOS does not publish a verified validity periodMichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Restrictions Michigan puts on a new driver:
- Level 1 supervision: Level 1 drivers may only drive with a licensed parent, guardian, or designated licensed adult age 21+
- Level 2 curfew: No driving 10 p.m.–5 a.m. unless driving to/from/for employment, authorized activity, or with a parent/guardian/designated adult
- Level 2 passenger rule: No more than one passenger under 21 unless passengers are immediate family, travel is to/from school or authorized activity, or a parent/guardian/designated adult is present
MichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 1850 hours (10 at night)MichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit hold6 monthsMichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age16MichiganSOSMichigan SOS — New Drivers Under 18Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Level 2 intermediate license with GDL restrictions
How to get your permit in Michigan
- Complete Segment 1 driver education and apply for Level 1 at 14 years 9 months or older
- Drive only with approved supervision while logging 50 supervised hours, 10 at night
- Hold Level 1 for at least 6 months, complete Segment 2, and stay violation/crash/suspension-free for the required period before Level 2
- Pass the driving skills test and apply for the Level 2 license at 16+
- Follow Level 2 curfew and passenger limits until advancing toward Level 3
What is different about Michigan
Rules that are set by Michigan rather than nationally, and where they depart from what most states do. Compared against DMV Prep's verified rules for all 51 jurisdictions — unverified figures are left out of both sides of every comparison.
- Minimum permit age: 14 years 9 months here. The most common minimum permit age is 15 (25 of 50 states we have verified).
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Michigan?
You can get a learner's permit in Michigan at 14 years 9 months. Level 1 license after completing Segment 1 driver education and passing vision/health standards.
How much does a Michigan permit cost?
The Michigan permit fee is $25. Web search: Michigan Level 1 learner's permit fee $25.
How long do you have to hold your permit in Michigan?
You must hold your Michigan permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
How many practice driving hours does Michigan require?
Michigan requires 50 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 18, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the Michigan permit test?
Right here — take a free Michigan practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
