Frequently Asked Questions

Segment 1
What is Segment 1 of Graduated Licensing?

When can my student start Driver’s Education (Segment 1)?
What are the requirements for starting Segment 1?
What happens if my student misses a day of class?
When will my student begin behind-the-wheel instruction?
Can I practice driving with my teen during Segment 1?
After completing Segment 1 will you give my student their permit (Level 1 License)?
How do I pay for Segment 1 at All About Driving of Waterford Inc.?
My student just completed Segment 1.  What do I do now?

Segment 2
What is Segment 2 of Graduated Licensing?
When can my student start Segment 2?
What if I took Segment 1 at a different driving school?
How do I pay for Segment 2 at All About Driving of Waterford Inc.?

Graduated Licensing
What is graduated licensing?
How many levels of licensing are there?
What does my teen need to obtain a Level 1 license?
What does my teen need to obtain a Level 2 license?
What does my teen need to obtain a Level 3 license?
Are there restrictions when driving with a Level 1 license?
Are there restrictions when driving with a Level 2 license?
Are there restrictions when driving with a Level 3 license?
Are there penalties for violating these restrictions?
Does the graduated license replace Michigan’s probationary system for new drivers?

What can I legally do to prepare my student for driver’s education?
What should I look for during the 6 months of driving with my teen?

Segment 1

What is Segment 1 of Graduated Licensing?

Segment 1 is the first class that starts a teen driving.  It consists of 24 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind the wheel instruction in a driver education vehicle with a licensed instructor. The focus of Segment 1 is to instill confidence in the young driver, and to teach them the rules of the road. It is required for all teens (under 18) to complete a Segment 1 course prior to receiving a Level 1 License. Students are required to pass a written test (with at least 70% a test score) provided by the Michigan Department of State.

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When can my student start Driver’s Education (Segment 1)?

Students may start Segment 1 of Driver’s Education at 14 years and 8 months of age. They will be eligible for their Level 1 license (permit) after they have completed segment 1 and are 14 years and 9 months of age.

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What are the requirements for starting Segment 1?

In order to enroll in a Segment 1 class a student must be 14 years, 8 months old. The student should have corrected vision of 20/40 or better and no physical conditions that would prevent safe driving.

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What happens if my student misses a day of class?

In order for a student to receive their completion certificate they must attend 24 hours of class time and finish their driving lessons.  If your student misses a day of class they may attend a different class time or they may attend one of our next classes to make up the missed time. If neither of these options work in your schedule talk to your student’s instructor for additional make-up days.

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When will my student begin behind-the-wheel instruction?

Our instructors begin behind-the-wheel instruction on the first week of class. Scheduling will begin on the second day of class.  Your student will sign up for instruction depending on their availability so it is important that they be aware of their schedule.  Lessons do not take place during classroom time. 

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 Can I practice driving with my teen during Segment 1?

After a students second behind-the-wheel lesson we may issue a Parent Permit that allows a teen driver to operate a motor vehicle only when accompanied by either a licensed parent or licensed legal guardian.  Issuance of the Parent Permit is at the Instructor’s discretion.

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After completing Segment 1 will you give my student their permit (Level 1 License)?

Your student will be issued a Segment 1 completion certificate upon successful completion of our class which allows them to apply for a Level 1 License at the Secretary of State’s office.  You will need to accompany your student to Secretary of State for them to receive this permit.

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How do I pay for Segment 1?

We accept cash, checks, and all forms of payment cards.  Payment must be made in full the first day of class.  

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 My student just completed Segment 1.  What do I do now?

First, as soon as your student receives their Segment one completion certificate you need to go to a Michigan Secretary of State branch office to get their Level 1 license.  The completion certificate is NOT a driver’s license. Please be sure to take all required identification and documentation with you to the Secretary of State office as well as any eyeglasses or contacts that your student would need to pass the vision test. 

click here for information about the required documentation.

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Segment 2

What is Segment 2 of Graduated Licensing?

Segment 2 is a 6-hour class that is taken prior to taking the road test.  Segment 2 focuses on defensive driving, hazard awareness, risk management and preparation for the Road Skills Test.

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When can my student start Segment 2?

We suggest taking Segment 2 a few weeks before a student’s 16th birthday or Road Skills Test, but Segment 2 can be taken anytime after students have a minimum of 90 days (out of the required 180 days) on their level 1 license.  Students must also have completed a minimum of 30 hours (out of the required 50 hours) driving with their parents or responsible adult. At least two of those 30 hours must be driven at night (at least 10 hours of the 50 total hours are required to be at night).

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What if I took Segment 1 at a different driving school?

You may take Segment 2 at any driving school of your choice no matter where you took Segment 1.

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How do I pay for Segment 2 at All About Driving?

For Segment 2 classes ($50), cash only is accepted. Payment must be paid in full the first day of class. 

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What is graduated licensing?

Graduated Driver Licensing requires drivers under age 18 to complete two segments of driver education. These “certifications” are required before issuing driver licenses to teens. It is designed to help teen drivers gain driving knowledge, skills and safe habits while  increasing driving privileges in a controlled manner. The goal is to reduce the increased risk associated with beginning drivers.

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How many levels of licensing are there?

There are three licensing levels under the graduated license law.

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What does my teen need to obtain a Level 1 license?

 Be at least 14 years, 9 months of age
 Complete Segment 1
 Pass a vision test and meet physical and mental health standards set by the Department of State
 Obtain written approval from a parent or legal guardian

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What does my teen need to obtain a Level 2 license?

 Be at least 16 years of age
 Have possessed a Level 1 License for not less than six months
 Complete Segment 2
 Have no convictions/civil infractions, license suspensions or crashes during the 90-day period immediately prior to applying for a Level 2 License
 Complete a minimum of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice driving, including 10 hours of nighttime driving, that is certified by a parent or legal guardian
 Pass a road test conducted by an independent road testing agency approved by the Secretary of State

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What does my teen need to obtain a Level 3 license?

 Be at least 17 years of age
 Hold a Level 2 License for not less than six months
 Complete 12 consecutive months of driving without a moving violation, an at-fault crash (even if no citation is issued), a license suspension or a violation of the graduated license restrictions.

The graduated licensing program ends for all teens when they reach 18.

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Are there restrictions when driving with a Level 1 license?

Yes. The Level 1 License allows teens to drive only when accompanied by either a licensed parent or licensed legal guardian, or a licensed driver over age 21 who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian.

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Are there restrictions when driving with a Level 2 license?

Yes. The Level 2 License allows teens to drive without supervision except from midnight to 5 am.  Driving from midnight to 5 am is only permitted if driving to and from employment or if driving with a parent, legal guardian or designated licensed driver over the age of 21 (teen should be able to provide proof of employment and hours).

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Are there restrictions when driving with a Level 3 license?

No. The Level 3 License grants full driving privileges with no restrictions.

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Are there penalties for violating these restrictions?

Yes. A conviction for violating restrictions may delay eligibility to advance to Level 2 or 3. In addition violating restrictions may result in license suspension.

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Does the graduated license replace Michigan’s probationary system for new drivers?

No. In fact, graduated licensing complements the probationary requirements. Probation begins whenever a new driver receives an original license. Probation lasts for three years and until the driver has been violation and crash-free for the last 10 months of the probation period.

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What can I do to help prepare my student for driver’s education?

Demonstrate the placement and function of the various controls.
 Explain the different transmission setting levels.
 Have them sit behind the steering wheel (when parked) and practice moving their foot from the gas to the brake. Make sure that their heel stays on the floor Note the differing firmness of the brake and gas pedals.
When driving yourself, verbalize your observations and intentions.

Above all, be a good example. Follow the law and demonstrate good driving to them. Sometimes we need to unlearn students’ incorrect or bad habits (turning on red without stopping, for example).  Just to refresh some of these “best practices”:
 Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a safety belt.
 Know your car, especially the controls and safety devices.
Drive defensively.
Avoid anger.
 Obey all traffic laws.

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What should I look for during the 6 months of driving with my teen?

 Make sure your teen understands his or her responsibility to make sure everyone is buckled up.
Limit the amount of driving done in unfamiliar vehicles, with teen passengers, in bad weather or at rush hour.
Emphasize the importance of always obeying the speed limit and driving at a speed that is correct for driving conditions .
Search in front of and behind the vehicle—for other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Be on the alert.
 Nighttime driving poses increased risk, due to reduced visibility and glare from oncoming and following traffic. If needed, extend the amount of supervised nighttime driving your teen does until you feel he or she is ready to drive at night alone.
Understands how to correctly operate the braking system, whether or not you have ABS.

Control emotions that may lead to aggressive driving.

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