Michigan Online Driver Education and Michigan Licensing Procedures
Congratulations on starting the process of applying for your Michigan Learner's Permit or first Michigan driver's license. Michigan has a Graduated Driver License Program for Michigan teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your Michigan driver's license goes as smoothly as possible. So let's get started.
Michigan Instructional Permit or Michigan Learner's Permit
The minimum age to apply for a Michigan Learner's Permit is 14 years and 9 months. However, before you actually apply for your Michigan Learner's Permit, you'll need to complete the following:
- Pass a vision and health screening
- Take a behind the wheel driver training course consisting of:
- 24 hours of classroom instruction
- including 6 hours behind the wheel instruction
- and 4 hours of observation time
- pass a Michigan approved written test
Once you receive your Michigan driver education certificate of completion, head on down to your local Michigan Secretary of State Branch office with:
- your driver education certificate
- the required personal information documents
- your parent, guardian, or designated licensed adult (who must have a letter of authorization from your parent or guardian).
There, you'll receive your Michigan level one Learner's License. Congratulations! Remember that with your Michigan Learner's Permit, you can only practice driving with another licensed driver who is 21. After you've had your Michigan Learner's Permit for 3 months, you'll be ready for the next step in the Michigan Graduated License Program.
Your Michigan Intermediate License
In order to apply for your Michigan intermediate driver's license, you'll need to make sure you follow a few requirements before heading down to your local Michigan Secretary of State Branch office:
- hold your Michigan Level 1 Learner's License for at least 3 months
- complete 30 hours of supervised driving time
- at least 2 of these hours must be at night
If you've completed the following requirements, you're ready to begin Segment 2 of the Michigan Graduated Driver License Program. In this segment, you'll need to accumulate:
- 6 hours of classroom instruction
- 2 hours of maximum instruction per day
- 50 total hours of logged supervised driving
- If you've had any traffic violations, you'll have to wait 90 additional days before applying!
When you've completed these Michigan teen driver requirements, you'll receive a certificate, which you'll take to your local Michigan Secretary of State Branch office. Your parent or guardian must sign your Level 2 Intermediate License application to certify that you've completed the 50 required hours. It's time to take the dreaded road exam. If you pass, then congratulations! You've just earned your Michigan Intermediate driver's license! However, you'll still have to drive with a few restrictions.
Michigan Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Michigan intermediate driver's license:
- No driving between 12AM and 5AM unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
- The exception is if you're driving to/from your job
Once you've held your Michigan Level 2 Intermediate Driver's License for 12 months, you can apply for your Michigan Level 3 Driver's License, which is unrestricted.
Michigan Auto Insurance Michigan Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Michigan driver's license, you're ready to drive--or are you? Any vehicle registered in Michigan must be covered by liability insurance. The minimum coverage is:
- $20,000 per person for bodily injury
- $40,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $10,000 for property damage
If you are found to be driving without Michigan mandatory liability insurance, your Michigan Learner's Permit or Michigan Junior Operator's license could be suspended and you could be fined.
Michigan Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
As a Michigan teen driver, it's important for you to learn the Michigan drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. Upon your first conviction of a Michigan DUI (0.08), you'll face the following penalties:
- Jail sentence up to 93 days
- $100-$500 fine
- $1,000 Driver Responsibility Fee for 2 years
- License suspension up to 6 months
- 6 points on your license
- You also face possible community service up to 360 hours, Ignition Interlock, and Vehicle Immobilization
And of course, further Michigan DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Michigan license suspension or even Michigan license revocation.
Currently, there is no state law prohibiting Michigan teen drivers from using cell phones while driving. However, if you are a Michigan teen driver living in Detroit, you may only use a hands-free device if on a cell phone while driving. The fine for violation of this law is $100.
Michigan Online Driver Education
Michigan teen drivers are required to enroll in a driver education program. You can find a complete listing of Michigan approved driver education courses on the Michigan Department of State website.
