Michigan DMV driving test, MI drivers license, CDL, motorcycle practice test

What Every Driver Must Know About Driver Licensing in MI

Automobile License

To apply for a driver’s license in Michigan, you have to hold a Michigan residency and have the fact that you’re legally residing in the state officially established.

Applicants under the age of 18 are required to pass Graduated Driver Licensing course. It consists of two levels both of which are mandatory to pass prior to obtaining a driver’s license. However, this requirement doesn’t apply to individuals already holding a driver’s license issued by another state and valid for at least a year.

Also, if you currently hold a driver’s license issued by official authorities in Germany, Canada, and South Korea, you can automatically convert it into an MI one with no need to undergo any driving examinations.

All applicants less than 18 years of age need to:

• complete the level 2 driver course;
• practice no less than 50 hours of driving, including 10 hours of night driving. These hours have to be documented in your driving log;
• have a valid Level 1 driving license for 6 months;
• Have no record of driving rules violations for 90 days prior to your application for the Level 2 driving license.

Applicants who have difficulty understanding written and spoken English can request an interpreter for their driving lessons. (However, no interpreter is allowed for commercial driving license written and driving exams.)

Motorcycle License

In order to get a motorcycle license, individuals less than 18 years old are required to get a Graduated Driver’s License. Upon successful completion of the course, you are issued a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP).

If you wish to qualify for a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP), you need to:

• be at least 16 years of age;
• hold either Level 2 or Level 3 Graduated Driver’s License;
• pass the vision screening;
• pass the MI written permit test;
• pay a one-time $13.50 fee.

Once you’ve obtained a TIP, you can apply for a motorcycle endorsement. After passing the safety course, paying a $13.50 fee, and passing a written MI driving knowledge test, your motorcycle license application process is over.

Commercial Driver’s License

Any individual aged 18 can apply for a CDL. However, drivers younger than 21 are allowed to drive commercial vehicles within the territory of state only.

Prior to obtaining a CDL, you have to get a commercial learner’s permit. This process will include:

• passing a vision screening;
• presenting the necessary documents (your Michigan driver license, medical checks, identity documents like US passport, birth certificate, Permanent Resident Card or a foreign passport with a valid immigrant visa);
• agreement to be checked for any traffic rules violations.

Once you have a commercial learner’s permit, you can apply for an enhanced CDL that allows you to cross the U.S. border from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

Not sure where to begin with your driver education? Driver-Start.com has a great selection of training materials and Michigan driver’s license information to help you pass your driving test, so make sure to check everything out. You can also download our mobile app from App Store  or Google Play and study on the go.