Michigan Graduated Driver Licensing Eligibility Requirements

LEVEL 1 LEARNER'S LICENSE

To be eligible for a Level 1 Learner's License, applicants must:

LEVEL 2 INTERMEDIATE LICENSE

To be eligible to apply for a Level 2 Intermediate License, applicants must:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Have a Level 1 Learner's License for at least six months
  • Present a Level 1 Learner's License
  • Meet Visual Standards for Motor Vehicle Drivers' Licenses
  • Meet the Department of State Physical and Mental Standards for Drivers
  • Complete Segment 2 at an approved driver education program and present a Segment 2 Certificate of Completion
  • Present Required Legal Documentation
  • Pass a Driving Skills Test and present a Driving Skills Test Certificate
  • Have no convictions or civil infractions, license suspensions, or at-fault crashes for the 90 days immediately before applying for a Level 2 Intermediate License
  • Have a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult sign the application to certify the 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience, including a minimum of 10 nighttime hours

LEVEL 3 FULL LICENSE

To be eligible for a Level 3 Full License, applicants must:

  • Be at least 17 years old
  • Have a Level 2 License for at least six months
  • Complete 12 consecutive months without a moving violation, an accident in which a moving violation resulted, an accident, a license suspension, or a violation of the graduated license restrictions (maybe six months at Level 1 and six months at Level 2, if consecutive)

A new Level 3 license is created and mailed from Lansing using the electronic image on file (obtained at Level 2). This license is issued at no fee to the applicant. A teen will automatically advance to a Level 3 License provided he or she is age 17, has met all driving requirements, and has parental authorization. This authorization is granted when the parent or legal guardian signs for the teen's Level 2 License.

GDL ends for all teens when they turn age 18.

Students 18 years of age and older

To begin driving lessons, you must have a permit (Temporary Instruction Permit). If you do not have one, please visit the Secretary of State before enrolling.

State of Michigan New Drivers 

 

Michigan's New Traffic Laws

Michigan has enacted a new law to enhance road safety for everyone, including snow plow and salt truck drivers. Violating the 'Leaving space between snowplows' law results in a $100 fine. Below is the exact wording of this new state law from the Michigan Legislature website

Essentially, it's about keeping safe distances around snowplows to ensure both your safety and the safety of the plow operators.

  1. You must keep at least 200 feet of distance behind a snowplow.

  2. This rule doesn't apply if you're legally overtaking or passing the snowplow.

  3. If a snowplow is stopped at or in an intersection, you must stop at least 20 feet behind it.

  4. Breaking any of these rules results in a civil infraction.