Last Updated 11th of June, 2010

Do I need a MI drivers permit before applying for a Michigan drivers license? Michigan

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Michigan Learners Permit

All drivers license applicants, regardless of age, must have a learners permit. Without a driving permit you won't be allowed to take Michigan's drivers license road test.

If you're younger than 18 you will need to provide proof of owning a Level 1 license (Michigan's name for a learners permit). If you're 18 or older you will need to own a temporary instruction permit (TIP).

How to Apply for a Level 1 License

Visit any Secretary of State (SOS) branch office and:

  1. Complete a permit application. It must be signed by a parent or guardian.  
  2. Provide your Social Security number.
  3. Provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
  4. Provide proof of Michigan residency.
  5. Provide a green Michigan Department of State Segment 1 Certificate of Completion. You'll receive this certificate if you pass the state's written test (see written test information below), which is given as part of the course curriculum.
You'll also be required to pass an eye test. If you pass the test you'll be issued a Level 1 license. You must hold this for 180 days before you can apply for a Level 2 license.

How to Apply for a Temporary Instruction Permit

Visit any SOS branch office and:

  1. Complete a permit application.  
  2. Provide your Social Security number.
  3. Provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
  4. Provide proof of identity.
  5. Provide proof of Michigan residency.
During the application process you'll also be required to pass a vision test and a written test. If you pass you'll be issued a TIP. You must hold this drivers permit for 30 days before you can apply for a MI drivers license.

How to Study for the Written Permit Test

All of the test questions are based on information explained in the state's drivers manual, What Every Driver Must Know. To pass the test you must study this manual. You can download it from the SOS website, or grab a hardcopy from any SOS branch office.

After studying the manual you'll next want to take a practice permit test so as to get a gauge on whether or not you're test-ready. Practice tests feature questions similar to those found on the actual exam. So if you can pass a practice test you should be able to pass the state's permit test. You can find these exams online from a long list of independent sites.

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