Michigan's first step depends on your age. Teens go through driver education and take the Segment 1 state exam. Adults take the knowledge and road sign tests at a Secretary of State office.
Teens: Segment 1 and the Level 1 license
- Segment 1 of driver education: at least 24 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours behind the wheel and 4 hours of observation.
- Pass the Segment 1 state exam with at least 70%.
- From 14 years and 9 months, apply for the Level 1 learner's license at a Secretary of State office with your Segment 1 certificate and proof of identity, residency and Social Security number, and pass the vision screening.
- Before Segment 2: at least 3 months on Level 1 and a 30-hour driving log (2 at night).
- Before Level 2: at least 6 months on Level 1, age 16, and 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night).
Adults: the knowledge and road sign tests
- At 18 or over, take the written knowledge test and the road sign test at a Secretary of State office.
- Pass, and you get a temporary instruction permit (TIP) to practice with a licensed adult before the road test.
- The free Michigan mock tests on PassDriveTest use 50 questions with 40 needed (80%), so you practice at a high standard.
A study plan that works
- Read "What Every Driver Must Know", the Secretary of State's driver guide (free on michigan.gov).
- Learn the signs on the Michigan road signs tab: adults have a separate sign test.
- Take full mock tests and review every wrong answer.
- Aim for 90% or more on several different mock tests.
Take a free Michigan mock test to see where you stand.
Checked against official sources on 17 October 2026.