Michigan driver's license
Get your first license in Michigan after moving to the US.
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Michigan and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
If you just arrived in the US
If your license from another state has expired
Expired less than four years, your old card still counts as proof of identity; expired more than four years, you start again with a Temporary Instruction Permit and a driving skills test, and branch office staff can waive the 30-day practice period if you ask. An expired foreign licence sends you to the permit and skills test no matter how recently it expired.
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
State and federal law require the Secretary of State to collect Social Security numbers to verify U.S. citizenship or legal presence and to help collect child support, and everything you give is verified. If you do not have a Social Security number, you must show a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration that is no more than 60 days old.
Tests you take
Drive test
You take it if you hold a licence from any country other than Canada, Germany or South Korea — years of driving abroad do not exempt you. It is also required if you are 18 or older and have never been licensed, if your last licence has been expired for more than four years, or if you are applying for a Level 2 Intermediate License under Graduated Driver Licensing.
An original operator's or chauffeur's licence is not issued without an examination that includes a driving skills test.
Practice questions for the written test
The state publishes the Driving Skills Test Study Guide at michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/01preston/Driving-Skills-Test-Study-Guide.pdf.
What to bring to the drive test
The car and its insurance
The examiner inspects the car before the test and cancels the test if it misses a legal or safety standard — a missing side view mirror or a broken taillight is enough. The examiner also checks for a valid certificate of Michigan No-Fault insurance, the vehicle registration, and a license plate with the correct year's tab.
A defect that puts the people in the car at risk is grounds to refuse the test. The inspection covers brakes, brake lights (including the center rear brake light on 1986 or newer models), doors, fuel level, headlights, heater and defroster, horn, lug nuts (only one is allowed to be missing per vehicle), muffler, rearview and outside left mirrors, safety belts and seats for everyone in the car, speedometer, suspension, taillights, tyres, front and rear turn signals, windshield, and wipers and washers.
The driver and passenger doors must open from both the inside and the outside — a door that opens only one way fails the inspection. The examiner can also refuse the test if a crack in the windshield blocks the driver's view.
A driver education car used for the test must have its training signs taken off — "Student Driver" signs are not allowed during the test.
Driver-activated systems — self-parking, a four-way camera, automated self-driving — are not allowed during the skills test. If you are not sure whether a feature counts, ask the examiner before the test begins.
You must show proof of valid insurance, current vehicle registration and a valid license plate for the test vehicle. The guide also advises driving a car you know and practised in — advice, not a rule.
Systems that switch on by themselves when the engine runs — a backup camera, blind-spot indicator lights, a lane-departure alarm — are allowed during the skills test. You do not have to turn off a modern car's built-in aids.
Where to go
Who gives the tests
Not the state itself — the driving skills test is given only through a statewide network of public and private driver testing businesses authorized by the department. There is no Secretary of State office option for the skills test.
Booking an appointment
You can schedule an office visit and pre-apply for a licence at dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/TAP.
Office locations
You schedule an office visit at dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/TAP.
Other states
U
Every source, quoted15 sources
Every fact on this page is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
“If you have an expired foreign driver’s license or an out-of-state license that has been expired for at least four years, you must apply for a TIP and pass a driving skills test before a Michigan license may be issued.”
“State and federal laws require the Secretary of State to collect Social Security numbers to verify U.S. citizenship or legal presence and to assist in child support collection. A letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration must be presented if you do not have a Social Security number and wish to obtain a driver’s license or ID card. The letter can be no more than 60 days old. All Social Security information will be verified.”
“You will need to take a driving skills test if: • You are applying for a Level 2 Intermediate License under Graduated Driver Licensing. • You are age 18 or older, have never been licensed and are applying for an original license. • Your last driver’s license has been expired for more than four years. • You hold a driver’s license from a country other than Canada, Germany, or the Republic of Korea (South Korea).”
“The secretary of state shall not issue an original operator's or chauffeur's license without a vehicle group designation or indorsement without an examination that includes a driving skills test”
legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCLChecked August 4, 2026
“"Driving Skills Test Study Guide" -> https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/01preston/Driving-Skills-Test-Study-Guide.pdf”
michigan.gov/sos/license-id/new-drivers-18-olderChecked July 26, 2026
“Before any testing takes place, the driving skills test examiner will inspect the vehicle that the applicant will drive. If the vehicle does not meet the required legal or safety standards (for example, a missing side view mirror or a broken taillight), the test will be cancelled. The examiner will also check for a valid certificate of Michigan No-Fault insurance, vehicle registration, and a license plate with the correct year's tab.”
michigan.gov/sos/license-id/new-drivers-18-olderChecked July 31, 2026
“Certain defective vehicle equipment is reason for refusal of the driving skills test if it jeopardizes the safety of the vehicle's occupants.”
“* The driver and passenger doors must work from the inside and outside. Doors that cannot be opened are safety hazards. ** Examiners may refuse to administer a test if the vehicle's windshield is cracked so that it obstructs the driver's view.”
“When used for testing purposes, driver education vehicles must not display any warning signs used for training. This includes "Student Driver" identification signs.”
“Driver-activated features and systems are not allowed during the driving skills test. If there is any question about whether a system or device is permitted, check with the driving skills test examiner before the test begins.”
michigan.gov/sos/license-id/new-drivers-18-olderChecked July 26, 2026
“You must show proof of valid insurance, current vehicle registration and valid license plate for the test vehicle.”
“Passively active devices or systems are those that engage as soon as the engine is running and don't require any additional action on the part of the driver. Examples may include the backup camera, blind-spot indicator lights or a lane-departure alarm. Passively active devices and systems are allowed during the driving skills test.”
“Driving skills testing services are provided only through a privatized, testing program. This program utilizes a statewide network of public and private driver testing business authorized by the department to conduct the driving skills tests.”
“"Schedule an office visit and pre-apply for a driver's license" -> https://dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/TAP/”
michigan.gov/sos/license-id/new-drivers-18-olderChecked July 26, 2026
“"Schedule an office visit" -> https://dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/TAP/”
michigan.gov/sos/license-id/new-drivers-18-olderChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Michigan?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.