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DRVN > Guide > Michigan

Michigan Teen Driving Guide

What parents need to know about the learn-to-drive process in Michigan

Get a teen driving guide
localized to your zip code.
6 steps for your teen to get their license in Michigan.
1
Enroll in a Driver's Ed Program
WHEN: Your teen can start classroom instruction as soon as they are 15 years old.
DURATION: Michigan law requires 30 hours of classroom instruction.
WHY: By knocking out some classroom hours beforehand, teens will be better prepared for the permit test.
WHERE: Classroom instruction can be done in person at a Michigan driving school or online.
ONLINE DRIVING PROGRAMS:
Michigan-approved online course that your Teen can complete at home on their computer
2
Pass the Michigan Learner's Permit Exam
WHEN: Your teen can take the learner's permit exam any time after they turn 14 years 8 months old.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Bring proof of identity, residency, social security card, birth certificate, driver education completion certificate and payment for the fee. A guardian must also be present to sign the documents.
WHY: Completing a written test is part of your drivers education course.
WHERE: Apply for the permit at a Michigan Secretary of State office.
3
Practice Driving on Michigan Roads with a Parent
WHEN: This takes place during the time when your teen has their permit, and must be competed before taking the driver's license exam.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Your teen should always carry their Michigan learner's permit each time they drive. A parent or guardian is required to be present. Use the DRVN app to guide development and track time.
DURATION: Michigan law requires 50 hours of supervised driving time with 10 of these hours being at night.
WHERE: Practice driving on a range of roads, from residential to city to freeways. Focus especially on roads in and around the area you live in Michigan to build familiarity with local traffic.
MOBILE COACHING APP FOR PARENTS AND TEENS:
DRVN
This Mobile App makes it easy for parents to guide skills development and track practice driving time.
4
Practice Driving with an Instructor in Michigan
WHEN: This takes place while your teen has their Michigan learner's permit, and at the same time as classroom instruction.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Your teen should carry their learner's permit, and you'll need to acquire the services of a licensed Michigan Driving instructor.
DURATION: Michigan law requires 6 hours of behind-the-wheel practice with an instructor and 4 hours of in car observation.
5
Take the Michigan Driver's License Exam
WHEN: After having held your permit for 30 days, schedule to take the driving skills test.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Bring your permit, proof of registration and insurance for the vehicle testing with and payment for the fees.
WHERE: Contact an approved Michigan driver testing business to take the exam. Make sure to schedule an appointment in advance.
6
Purchase Car Insurance Coverage in Michigan for Your Teen
WHEN: Your teen is automatically covered under your policy when they have their permit, at no additional cost. However, once they get their full license and start driving, they will need a separate insurance coverage. Be prepared, this can be costly.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: You'll need to provide your insurance agent with a copy of your teen's driver's license, plus information on the primary vehicle that they will be driving. If your teen is a good student with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, many insurers will offer discounts if you provide a copy of their grade card.
WHERE: Start with your insurance agent, but make sure to shop around!

We have even more detailed
driving information available
for specific Michigan Cities.

This information includes local places to assist you in completing each of the steps necessary to drive in Michigan.
Click/tap on the most popular Michigan cities below:

Ada Adrian Allen Park Ann Arbor Battle Creek Bay City Belleville Benton Harbor Birmingham Bloomfield Hills Brighton Burton Byron Center Caledonia Canton Clarkston Clinton Township Coldwater Commerce Township Davison Dearborn Dearborn Heights Detroit East Lansing Eastpointe Farmington Fenton Flat Rock Flint Flushing Garden City Grand Blanc Grand Haven Grand Rapids Grandville Grosse Pointe Hamtramck Harrison Township Holland Howell Hudsonville Inkster Jackson Jenison Kalamazoo Lake Orion Lansing Lapeer Lincoln Park Livonia Macomb Madison Heights Marquette Midland Milford Monroe Mount Pleasant Muskegon New Baltimore Niles Northville Novi Oak Park Owosso Oxford Plymouth Pontiac Port Huron Portage Redford Rochester Rockford Romulus Roseville Royal Oak Saginaw Saint Clair Shores Saint Joseph Saline South Lyon Southfield Southgate Sterling Heights Swartz Creek Taylor Traverse City Trenton Troy Utica Walled Lake Warren Washington Waterford West Bloomfield Westland White Lake Wyandotte Wyoming Ypsilanti Zeeland

To view the guides for other states, select a state below:

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