Get your first driver's license in Michigan

Online or in person

Start online with a pre-application · An office visit, then a skills testYou pre-apply when you schedule your office visit online. At 18 or older you may also take the written knowledge test online ($6.50, needs a computer with a webcam); then schedule the office visit for your permit. Visit a Secretary of State office for the vision test, knowledge test (unless passed online), documents and photo, and get your Temporary Instruction Permit. After 30 days of practice, take the skills test at an independent driver testing business. Scheduling the office visit is strongly recommended.

Cost

$25 TIP fee + testing business feeThe Temporary Instruction Permit fee is $25. The department lists a standard first license at $25 and an enhanced license at $45. The online knowledge test costs $6.50; at an office it is free. Skills test fees are set by the testing business.

You leave with

Temporary Instruction Permit, then a license by mailAfter you pass the skills test, log in to e-Services for a Temporary Operator License to drive on until your license arrives in the mail. Under 21, the license is vertical and marked "Under 21".

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Legal presence
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
     • Certified birth certificate from the vital records office of the state of birth (Hospital birth certificates are not accepted.)
     • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
     • Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization
     • Permanent Resident Card or other evidence of permanent residency
     • Valid Employment Authorization Document (I-766)
     • Valid foreign passport with U.S. visa and evidence of entry
   • Social Security number
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Social Security card
     • W-2 form
     • SSA 1099 or non-SSA 1099 form
     • Pay stub with your name and Social Security number
     • SSA-L676 letter of ineligibility issued within the last 60 days (With USCIS documents showing non-work authorized status.)
   • Proof of identity
     One document from this list, or two from the second list (foreign passport, I-94, Employment Authorization Card, Refugee Travel Document I-571).
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
     • Name change document issued in the U.S.
     • Employee photo ID issued by a federal or Michigan government agency
     • U.S. military ID with photo, or military discharge or separation document
     • Photo ID from a federally recognized Native American tribe
   • Proof of Michigan residency · 2 different documents
     Show accepted documents (bring 2)

     • Utility or credit card bill issued within the last 90 days (Electronic documents accepted.)
     • Bank or financial institution statement issued within the last 90 days (Electronic documents accepted.)
     • Michigan high school, college or university report card or transcript
     • Mortgage, lease or rental agreement
     • Pay stub or earnings statement with your name and address
     • Life, health, auto or home insurance policy
     • Federal, state or local government document
   • Name change document (if your name differs) · all that apply
     Marriage certificate, U.S. divorce decree or court order showing the birth name and the new name.
   • Payment · all that apply
     Cash, check or money order payable to the State of Michigan, or a credit or debit card (service fee charged). Originals only: photocopies are not accepted, except electronic bills and bank statements for residency. All documents must be in English or come with an English translation.

2. Take a free practice test

   Before the knowledge test, try our Michigan Permit Practice Test: 40 questions like the real exam, based on the official handbook, with every answer explained.

   Start the Michigan practice test

3. Pass the knowledge test

   Study What Every Driver Must Know. Take the written knowledge test online ($6.50) or free at a Secretary of State office. It has an Operator section and a Signs section. A pass is valid for one year.

   New drivers (18 and older) (Michigan Department of State) ↗

4. Get your Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP)

   Schedule an office visit and pre-apply online. At the office, pass a vision test (and the knowledge test if not done online), present your documents, have your photo taken and pay the $25 TIP fee. The TIP is valid for 180 days.

5. Practice for at least 30 days

   Drive only with a validly licensed adult. Driver education is not required at 18 or older.

6. Pass the driving skills test

   Book with an independent driver testing business. Bring your TIP, a safe vehicle, proof of Michigan No-Fault insurance and valid registration with a current plate tab. The test has a vehicle inspection, a basic control skills test and an on-road test.

7. Get your license

   The testing business reports your result. Log in to e-Services for a Temporary Operator License; your license is mailed. If the result isn't on your account within 24 hours, visit a Secretary of State office with your test certificate, TIP and ID documents.

8. Drive through the probationary period

   Every new Michigan driver, at any age, is on probation for at least three years. The last 10 months must be free of at-fault crashes, suspensions and traffic convictions, or probation is extended.