State Guide
Michigan SOS Permit Test 2026
A complete walkthrough of Michigan's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program — from getting your Level 1 learner's permit to earning your full Level 3 license. This guide covers driver education requirements, the 50-question knowledge test, fees, documents, and the restrictions at each license level. Ready to start practicing? Take a free Michigan SOS practice test.
Who Can Get a Learner's Permit
In Michigan, the learner's permit is called a Level 1 License. To apply, you must be at least 14 years and 9 months old. This is the first step in Michigan's three-tier Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.
If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you to the Secretary of State (SOS) office and sign your application. The parent/guardian takes on responsibility for your driving and must complete their portion of driver education with you.
Adults 18 and older: If you're 18 or older and have never been licensed, you can skip the GDL program's restrictions. You'll still need to pass the knowledge test and driving skills test, but you'll receive a full license without the Level 1/Level 2 restrictions. However, you'll take the test at a Secretary of State office rather than through driver education.
Residency: You must be a Michigan resident. You'll prove residency with documents like a utility bill, bank statement, or other official mail showing your Michigan address.
Driver Education Requirements
Michigan requires driver education for all first-time applicants under 18. The program is divided into two segments:
Segment 1
24 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an instructor, and 4 hours of observation time as a passenger in a training vehicle. The written knowledge test is taken as part of Segment 1 — not at the Secretary of State office.
Segment 2
Taken after you've held your Level 1 license for at least 3 months. Includes additional classroom instruction (typically 6 hours) focusing on the consequences of risky driving behavior. You must complete Segment 2 before taking the driving skills test for your Level 2 license.
Important: For teens, the knowledge test is administered by the driving school during Segment 1, not at a Secretary of State office. You'll bring your Segment 1 completion certificate to the SOS to get your Level 1 license.
Adults 18+: Driver education is not required if you're 18 or older. You'll take the knowledge test directly at a Secretary of State office.
Fees and What You Pay For
The Michigan Level 1 learner's permit costs $25. This fee covers the knowledge test (for adults taking it at SOS) and the license issuance.
Driver education costs: The Segment 1 driver education course is a separate expense and varies by school. Expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $600 or more for the full program. Many high schools offer driver education at reduced cost.
Payment at Secretary of State offices can be made by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
Retakes: If you fail the knowledge test during driver education, you can typically retake it through your driving school. At the SOS (for adults), you can retake the test the next business day, with a 30-day wait after three failures.
Documents You Need at the SOS
When you visit the Secretary of State office to get your Level 1 license, bring:
1. Proof of identity and legal U.S. presence
An original document such as: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or other acceptable identity document. Photocopies are not accepted.
2. Social Security number
Your Social Security card or another document showing your full SSN (W-2, tax form, etc.).
3. Two proofs of Michigan residency
Two different documents showing your Michigan address: utility bill, bank statement, insurance document, school enrollment document, etc.
4. Segment 1 completion certificate (teens)
Your certificate from your MVA-approved driving school showing you completed Segment 1 of driver education, including the knowledge test.
5. Parent or guardian (teens)
If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you and sign your application.
Tip: Michigan is transitioning to Real ID-compliant licenses. If you want a Real ID (required for domestic flights starting May 2025), make sure all your documents meet federal requirements.
The Knowledge Test
The Michigan knowledge test consists of 50 multiple-choice questionscovering:
Road signs — their shapes, colors, and meanings
Traffic laws and rules of the road
Safe driving practices
Alcohol and drug laws
License suspension and traffic violations
Special driving situations (weather, emergencies, etc.)
You need to answer at least 40 questions correctly (80%) to pass. The test is multiple-choice and is typically administered on a computer.
All questions are based on "What Every Driver Must Know" — Michigan's official driver's manual. Study it thoroughly before taking the test.
Where to Take the Test
Teens (under 18): You take the knowledge test as part of your Segment 1 driver education course. The driving school administers the test — you do nottake it at a Secretary of State office. When you pass, the school gives you a completion certificate to bring to the SOS.
Adults (18+): If you're 18 or older and not going through driver education, you take the knowledge test at a Secretary of State branch office. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary. You can check wait times online or make an appointment at some locations.
The test is available in English, Spanish, and Arabic. If you need a different language or special accommodations, contact the Secretary of State in advance.
Passing Score and Results
Michigan Knowledge Test
50 questions
You must answer at least 40 correctly (80%) to pass. You can miss up to 10 questions.
When you finish the test, you'll receive your score immediately. If you're taking the test at driver education, your instructor will let you know if you passed. At the SOS, the screen will display your results.
Unlike some states, Michigan does not have a separate road signs test — sign questions are mixed into the main 50-question exam.
At the Secretary of State Office
Here's what happens when you visit a Secretary of State branch to get your Level 1 license:
1. Check in
Take a number or check in at the kiosk. Wait times vary by location and time of day.
2. Submit documents
Present your identity documents, residency proofs, Social Security number, and Segment 1 certificate (if applicable). Your parent must be present if you're under 18.
3. Vision test
You'll take a quick vision screening. Michigan requires at least 20/40 vision in one or both eyes (with or without corrective lenses).
4. Pay fee
Pay the $25 Level 1 license fee.
5. Photo
Your photo will be taken for your license.
6. Receive your license
If everything checks out, you'll receive your Level 1 license. In some cases, you may receive a temporary license while your permanent card is mailed.
After You Get Your Level 1 License
With your Level 1 license, you can legally drive in Michigan — but only with supervision. You must have a parent, legal guardian, or designated licensed driver (at least 21 years old) in the front passenger seat at all times.
What comes next: You'll need to hold your Level 1 license for at least 6 months and remain accident- and violation-free for 90 consecutive days before you can apply for a Level 2 license.
During this time, you'll complete your supervised driving practice hours (at least 50 hours, including 10 at night) and finish Segment 2 of driver education.
If You Don't Pass
If you fail the knowledge test:
At driver education (teens)
Your driving school will let you retake the test. Policies vary by school, but most allow retakes after additional study time.
At Secretary of State (adults)
You can retake the test the next business day. After three failures, you must wait 30 days before retaking the test.
Use the waiting period to study the "What Every Driver Must Know" manual more thoroughly. Focus on the topics you missed.
Level 1 License (Learner's Permit)
The Level 1 license is Michigan's supervised learner's permit. It has the most restrictions and is designed to help you build fundamental driving skills under close supervision.
Supervision required: You must have a parent, legal guardian, or designated licensed driver (21+) in the front passenger seat at all times.
No cell phone use: You cannot use a cell phone while driving — not even hands-free, unless it's a voice-operated system.
Hold period: You must hold the Level 1 license for at least 6 months.
Clean record required: You must be accident- and violation-free for 90 consecutive days before progressing to Level 2.
Your Level 1 license is valid until you turn 18 or until you progress to Level 2.
Level 2 License (Intermediate)
To get a Level 2 license, you must:
Be at least 16 years old
Have held Level 1 for at least 6 months
Be accident- and violation-free for 90 days
Complete Segment 2 of driver education
Pass the driving skills test
Complete at least 30 of your 50 supervised driving hours (including 2 at night)
With a Level 2 license, you can drive unsupervised during the day, but there are still restrictions:
Curfew: No driving between 10 PM and 5 AM unless you're accompanied by a parent/guardian/designated driver (21+), driving to/from work or school events, or in an emergency.
Passenger restriction: No more than 1 passenger under 21who is not an immediate family member, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian/designated driver.
Cell phone ban: No cell phone use (text or call) unless using a voice-operated system.
You must hold Level 2 for at least 6 months and remain violation- and crash-free for 12 consecutive months before you can progress to Level 3.
Level 3 License (Full Privilege)
The Level 3 license is a full-privilege driver license with no GDL restrictions. To qualify:
Be at least 17 years old
Have held Level 2 for at least 6 months
Be violation- and crash-free for 12 consecutive months
With a Level 3 license, you have full driving privileges — no curfew, no passenger restrictions, and no requirement for a supervising driver.
Note: GDL restrictions end automatically for all teens when they turn 18, even if they haven't completed all the progression requirements.
The Driver's Manual
"What Every Driver Must Know" is Michigan's official driver's manual and the basis for all knowledge test questions. It covers traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and Michigan-specific regulations.
The manual is available online as a PDF on the Secretary of State website. You can also pick up a printed copy at any SOS branch office.
Study tips: Read the entire manual at least once. Pay special attention to road signs, right-of-way rules, and Michigan-specific laws about alcohol, cell phones, and the GDL program.
Practice Tests
Taking practice tests is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the 50-question knowledge test.
DMV Question Bank: For thorough preparation, take Michigan SOS practice tests on DMV Question Bank. Practice until you're consistently scoring above 90% — this gives you a comfortable margin above the 80% passing threshold.
A proven study strategy: read through the manual, take practice tests to identify weak areas, review those sections, and test again. Repeat until you're confident.
Supervised Driving Requirements
Teens must complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including at least10 hours at night. Of these, at least 30 hours (including 2 at night) must be completed before taking the driving skills test for Level 2.
Your supervising driver must be:
A parent or legal guardian, OR
A designated licensed driver at least 21 years old
A "designated driver" must be named on your application by your parent/guardian. This allows another responsible adult (like a grandparent, aunt, or family friend) to supervise your driving practice.
Keep a driving log to document your practice hours. While Michigan doesn't always require you to submit it, you'll need to certify that you've completed the hours when you apply for Level 2.
Quick Reference
| Minimum Level 1 age | 14 years and 9 months |
| Level 1 fee | $25 |
| Knowledge test questions | 50 |
| Passing score | 40 correct (80%) |
| Test languages | English, Spanish, Arabic |
| Where to test (teens) | At driver education (Segment 1) |
| Where to test (adults) | Secretary of State office |
| Wait after 1st failure | 1 business day |
| Wait after 3 failures | 30 days |
| Level 1 hold period | 6 months minimum |
| Clean record for Level 2 | 90 consecutive days |
| Minimum Level 2 age | 16 years old |
| Level 2 curfew | 10pm–5am |
| Level 2 passengers | Max 1 under 21 (non-family) |
| Level 2 hold period | 6 months minimum |
| Clean record for Level 3 | 12 consecutive months |
| Minimum Level 3 age | 17 years old |
| Supervised hours (total) | 50 hours |
| Supervised hours (night) | 10 hours |
| Driver's ed Segment 1 | 24 hrs classroom, 6 hrs BTW |
| Cell phone (Level 1 & 2) | Voice-operated only |
| GDL ends | At age 18 |