Graduated Driver Licensing

Graduated Driver Licensing requires drivers under age 18 to complete two segments of driver education.

Segment One

Level 1 License:   After the driver education instructor issues the Segment One certificate, the teen and parent or legal guardian should go to a Secretary of State branch office as soon as possible to apply for a Level 1 License. A teen must be at least 14 years, 9 months old to apply.  A parent or legal guardian must accompany the teen to sign the application.   Signing indicates parental/legal guardian approval for licensing of a minor.  

The following documentation is required:

  • Primary Group identification document to verify the full name and date of birth of the teen. The teen must be at least 14 years, 9 months old to apply for the Level 1 License.
  • Michigan Department of State Segment One Certificate of Completion.
  • Social Security number or Letter of Ineligibility.
  • Two documents with your name and Michigan residential address. Residency documents in a family member’s name may be used if the family relationship can be established by other forms of documented proof.
  • The teen must pass the vision and health standards prescribed by the Secretary of State.

With a Level 1 License, the teen driver may only drive while accompanied by a licensed parent, legal guardian, or designated adult age 21 or older.

Segment Two

Level 2 License:  A teen will advance from a Level 1 License to a Level 2 License, provided all of the mandatory requirements, including a road skills test, have been met. Teens must complete both Segment One and Segment Two of the driver education course to qualify for a Level 2 License. Teens cannot have a moving violation resulting in a conviction or civil infraction determination, or been involved in an at-fault crash during the 90-day period immediately preceding application. 

To obtain a Level 2 License, teen must obtain:

  • Skills test certificate, verifying the teen has passed a road skills test given by a third-party tester approved by the Secretary of State.
  • The Michigan Department of State Segment Two Certificate of Completion.

 

The teen’s learner’s permit will be upgraded automatically from a Level 1 to a Level 2 license.  A Level 2 License allows teens to drive unsupervised except between 10 p.m.  and 5 p.m., when a licensed parent, legal guardian, or designated adult age 21 or older must accompany them.  Teens who must drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.  because of work or other “authorized activity” are not required to have an adult with them but should be able to show proof of such.

Level 3 License:  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. If the parent does not authorize automatic advancement to a Level 3 License, the teen will remain at Level 2 until the parent accompanies the teen to a Secretary of State branch office and grants authorization, or until the teen turns age 18.  If the parent has authorized the teen to automatically advance to a Level 3 License and the teen has successfully met all licensing requirements, the Level 3 License will be mailed to the teen. There is no need to go to a branch office.

To obtain a Level 3 License, the teen must:

  • Be at least age 17.
  • Have driven at Level 2 for a minimum of six months.
  • Have completed 12 consecutive months of driving without a moving violation, an at-fault crash that resulted in a moving violation, a license suspension or a violation of a Graduated Driver License restriction.

 

A Level 3 License grants full driving privileges. Graduated Driver Licensing ends for all teens at age 18.

Click here for the documentation required to apply for a Michigan license or ID