Michigan Driver's License

Operator's License

The most common type is the operator's license or standard license. This license is intended for most drivers and allows them to operate standard passenger vehicles and light trucks for personal use. An individual can legally drive sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks if the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is under 26,000 pounds.

Chauffeur's License

If someone is employed for the principal purpose of operating a motor vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more or operating a vehicle as a carrier of passengers or property, they will need a chauffeur's license. This license requires passing a written chauffeur's test.

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

This license is required for operating vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, combination vehicles with a weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, vehicles designed to transport 16 or more people (including the driver), or vehicles carrying hazardous materials requiring placarding. Written knowledge tests and road tests are mandatory for obtaining a CDL.

Moped License

Mopeds can be operated on Michigan roads by individuals with a valid operator or chauffeur's license. Unlicensed teens aged 15 or older can apply for a moped license by passing vision, written knowledge, and traffic sign tests.

Enhanced Driver's License

Michigan offers an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), which serves a dual purpose: it functions as both a valid driver's license and a federally approved form of identification for re-entry into the U.S. Holders of an EDL can use to re-enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean, provided they are traveling by land or sea.

Driver Education Segments

In Michigan, individuals must be at least 14 years and eight months old to enroll in a driver's education program comprising two segments. Segment 1 includes 24 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of on-road driving, 4 hours of observation, and a written knowledge exam.

Upon completion, individuals will receive a Driver Education Certificate to apply for a GDL Level 1 learner's license with a parent or guardian at an MDOS or SOS office. Segment 2 requires maintaining a Level 1 license for three consecutive months without citations, 30 hours of supervised driving, and 6 hours of classroom instruction.

Learner's License

To obtain a Level 1 Learner's License in Michigan, an individual must be at least 14 and 9 months old and have completed Segment 1 of a driver education program. The applicant must visit an MDOS office and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who will sign the application form.

During this visit, the applicant will need to pass a vision and health screening and present required documentation, which includes a Michigan Driver Education Segment 1 Certificate of Completion, proof of a valid Social Security number or ineligibility, legal presence in the U.S., proof of identity, and Michigan residency.

After successfully passing the knowledge test, individuals in Michigan qualify for a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP). The TIP is issued immediately after passing the vision test and verifying the required documents by the SOS employee assisting with the process.

Once the Level 1 Learner's License is obtained, the driver must adhere to certain restrictions, such as being supervised at all times by a parent, legal guardian, or designated licensed driver aged 21 or older. Hand-held cell phones and texting are prohibited, and seat belts are required for everyone in the front seat and all passengers under 16.

Intermediate License

A driver with a learner's license will automatically progress to a Level 2 Intermediate License once they pass a driving skills test, reach a minimum age of 16, and remain crash- and violation-free for 90 days.

The Level 2 Intermediate License comes with certain driving restrictions, including a limit of one passenger under age 21 (except for immediate family members), no driving between 10 pm and 5 am, no use of hand-held cell phones or texting, and mandatory seat belt use for everyone in the front seat and all passengers under age 16.

These passenger and nighttime restrictions are exempted when driving to or from employment, authorized activities, or accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older. Completing a Legal Guardian and Teen Safe Driving Contract is highly recommended, with suggested family rules such as no passengers, no nighttime driving, no electronic devices, and mandatory seat belts.

Full License

To obtain a full license in Michigan, applicants must meet several requirements. First, they must be at least 17 years old and have held a Level 2 Intermediate License for at least six months. Additionally, the teen must have driven for 12 consecutive months without incurring any moving violations, accidents, license suspensions, or violations of the graduated license restrictions.

No fee is associated with this license upgrade, and the teen can skip the MDOS office to complete the process. Once the teen receives their Level 3 Full License, no state-imposed driving restrictions exist.

Documentary Requirements

Applicants must provide specific documents to prove their legal presence, Social Security number, identity, and residency to obtain a driver's license in Michigan.

Legal Presence

Individuals must provide one of the following documents to establish a legal presence. Be aware that documents may need to be verified through the federal SAVE System, which can lead to processing delays.

• A valid U.S. passport
• Certified birth certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
• Permanent Resident Card
• Other immigration documents that demonstrate legal presence and/or the ability to work in the U.S.

Social Security Number

Provide one of the following documents for SSN:

• Social Security card
• Request Copy of Form W-2 Form or Form 10402S
• SSA 1099 form
• Pay stub displaying name and SSN
• SSA-L676 letter of ineligibility issued within the last 60 days

Identity Documents

To verify identity, present one of the following:

• Valid U.S. passport
• Out-of-state driver's license
• Government-issued photo ID
• U.S. military ID or photo ID from a federally recognized Native American tribe.

If unable to provide a document from the first list, present two of the following

• Foreign passport
• I-94
• Employment Authorization Card
• Refugee Travel Document

Residency Documents

Individuals must also provide any two proofs of Michigan residency, including:

• Utility bill
• Credit card bill
• Bank statement
• School transcript
• Mortgage or rental agreement
• Pay stub or insurance policy
• Government documents or Michigan title and registration displaying the current address

All documents must be original. The application process may take more than one day, and all documents are subject to review and approval.

On the other hand, applicants under 18 may have a parent or guardian sign on their behalf. It is essential to bring the correct, original documents to the SOS office appointmentand to call 888-SOS-MICH with any questions about the license requirements.

Knowledge Test

Aside from the vision test, the knowledge test in Michigan is crucial to obtaining a driver's license, as it assesses an individual's understanding of the state's traffic laws and safe driving practices. Individuals 18 years old and above should schedule an appointment to take the knowledge test at any MDOS branch office. The test typically consists of the following:

• Written driver knowledge exam
• Road signs test

The knowledge test is graded immediately upon completion, and the results are provided to the applicant promptly. To prepare for the test, individuals can study the booklet " What Every Driver Must Know," which contains all the necessary information to pass the test.

Driving Skills Test

To get an intermediate and full license in Michigan, one must pass the driving skills test or road test, which is conducted by MDOS-approved third-party organizations. The fee for this test varies based on the testing location.

The driving skills test consists of two parts:

• The basic control skills test, which is conducted off-street and involves a series of closed-course exercises
• The on-road driving test, which includes urban, expressway, rural highway, and residential driving

To prepare for the test, applicants should review the SOS Study Guide for the driving skills test. After passing the test and obtaining the driving skills certificate, the applicant must visit an SOS office with the certificate, their TIP, and appropriate identification documents to receive their Michigan driver's license.

Fees for a Driver's License in Michigan

In Michigan, the fees an individual must pay to obtain and maintain a driver's license vary depending on the license type and the specific service required.

For a first-time standard operator's license and CDL in Michigan, the fee is $25. An enhanced operator's license and CDL have a higher first-time cost of $45.

Meanwhile, the chauffeur's license fees for a first-time standard license are $35, and for an enhanced chauffeur's license, the first-time fee is $50.

Lastly, for moped licenses, a first-time standard license costs $7.50, and a first-time enhanced moped license has a fee of $38.

Accepted payment methods typically include eCheck, debit, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover).

Renewal Methods

In Michigan, driver's license holders can renew their license or ID up to one year before their expiration date, which occurs every four years on their birthday.

The MDOS offers several renewal methods to individuals, depending on their eligibility and preferences. These options include online renewal, renewal by mail, using a self-service station, or visiting the office in person.

Online Renewal

To renew online, individuals will need their license/ID number, the last four digits of their Social Security number, and payment with a credit or debit card or e-check/bank account number. They can check their eligibility and renew online by visiting the License or ID Renewalservice on the MDOS official website.

Renewal by Mail

Eligible individuals can also renew by mail. To do so, they will need their renewal notice, the return envelope (included with the renewal notice), and a check/money order payable to the State of Michigan. If they lose or damage the return envelope, they can mail their renewal directly to the MDOS' Internal Services Section in Lansing.

Self-Service Station

Individuals eligible to renew their driver's license or state ID at a self-service station must have their current license/ID or renewal notice, know the last four digits of their Social Security number, and be prepared to pay with a credit/debit card or cash. An additional $3.95 service fee is charged for each transaction completed at a self-service station.

Renew by Office

Individuals must only visit an MDOS or SOS office every 12 years to renew their license or ID with a photo. They will need their license/ID and payment with cash, check, money order, or credit or debit card. During their visit, they must also take a vision test and a new photo.

When it comes to renewing licenses in Michigan, the renewal fee for a standard operator's license is $18, while an enhanced operator's license renewal is $38.

Standard and enhanced CDLs have renewal fees of $25 and $38, respectively. Meanwhile, renewal fees for standard and enhanced chauffeur's licenses are $35 and $43, respectively.

Lastly, the renewal fee for moped licenses is $6 for a standard license and $30 for an enhanced moped license.

Replacement Process

In Michigan, various methods can be used to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license, ID, or permit. Applicants can replace it online, by mail, at a self-service station, or in an office.

Online Replacement

To replace a lost or stolen license, ID, or permit online, the individual should visit the License, ID, or Permit Replacement service on the MDOS official website. Choose the appropriate replacement option, follow the prompts, and pay using a credit card, debit card, or e-check/bank account number.

Mail Replacement

To replace a license, ID, or permit through the mail, complete and submit a Duplicate Driver's License Application Form to the MDOS Internal Services. To replace a standard license without a Social Security number, the applicant must provide proof of legal presence and a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration.

Mail the form to:

Self-Service Station Replacement

Individuals can obtain a replacement license, ID, or permit and print a temporary credential at any of the 160+ self-service stations throughout the state, providing a convenient alternative to mailing the required documents.

Office Replacement

If individuals need to replace their driver's license, ID, or permit at the office, they must book an appointment at their nearest SOS office. However, this option is only available if their current license or ID is unexpired and has not been canceled. When visiting the office, they must bring proof of identification and their Social Security number.

If a replacement is needed for a standard operator's license or CDL, the fee is $9, while for an enhanced operator's license or CDL, the cost is $24.

Meanwhile, a standard chauffeur's license replacement costs $18, and for an enhanced chauffeur's license, the fee is $33.

Lastly, the replacement fee for a standard moped license is $6, and for an enhanced moped license, the cost is $18.