GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSE

SUMMARY REQUIREMENTS & DRIVING PRIVILEGES

To apply for your level 1 (learner's) license, you must:

  Be at least 14 years 9 months old.
  Complete segment 1 of an approved driver education course which began on or after April 1, 1997.
  Pass vision and health standards prescribed by the Secretary of State.
  Receive written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Your Level 1 Driving Privileges

You may drive only while accompanied by a licensed parent or legal guardian, or with the
permission of the parent or guardian, any licensed driver 21 years of age or older.

To apply for your level 2 (intermediate) license, you must:

  Be at least 16 years old.
  Possess a level 1 (learner's) license for a minimum of 6 months.
  Successfully complete segment 2 of a driver education course approved by the Michigan Department of Education.
  Not have incurred a moving violation resulting in a conviction or civil infraction determination or been involved in an at-fault accident or accident for which you received a moving violation during the 90-day period immediately preceding application.
  Present certification from your parent or legal guardian to the effect that while accompanied by your licensed parent or guardian (or with the permission of your parent or guardian, any licensed driver 21 years of age or older), you accumulated a total of at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience, 10 hours of which must have occurred at night.
  Pass a road skills test approved by the Secretary of State.

Your Level 2 Driving Privileges

You may not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of midnight and 5:00am unless
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (or a licensed driver over the age of 21 designated
by the a parent or legal guardian), except when going to or from employment. You may
operate a moped at any time with a level 2 (intermediate) license.

To apply for your level 3 (full) license, you must:

  Be at least 17 years old.
  Have driven at level 2 for a minimum of 6 months.
  Complete 12 consecutive months without a moving violation, an at-fault accident or accident in which a moving violation resulted, suspension, or restricted period violation during the time in which you had been issued a level 2 license.

Your Level 3 Driving Privileges

A level 3 license grants you full driving privileges.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

You will be contacted by the Secretary of State if you:

  Drive unsafe (i.e. receive a traffic ticket, license suspension or if you are involved in an at-fault traffic accident or accident for which you received a moving violation).
  Are issued a ticket for driving at level 1 without being accompanied by a licensed parent, legal guardian or licensed driver over the age of 21 designated by your parent or legal guardain.
  Are issued a ticket for driving at level 2 without a parent, legal guardian or licensed driver over the age of 21 designated by you parent or guardian, between the restricted hours of midnight and 5:00am, and are not on your way to or from work.
  Fail to have your license with you when you are driving.

Note: Your parent or legal guardian may also be contacted under certain conditions!

Your level 1 (learner's) license will be extended if you:

  Receive a ticket (conviction) or license suspension, or are involved in an at-fault accident or accident for which you received a moving violation during the 90 day period immediately preceding your application for a level 2 license. You will remain at level 1 until you have completed 90 consecutive days of safe driving or reach the age of 18, whichever is sooner.

Your level 2 (intermediate) license will be extended if you:

  Receive a traffic ticket (conviction) or license suspension, or are involved in an at-fault crash during the 12 month period immediately preceding your application for a level 3 license. You will remain at level 2 until you have completed 12 consecutive months of safe driving or reach the age of 18, whichever is sooner.

Note: Beyond the licensing sanctions listed above, unsafe driving during you probationary
license status may result in additional restrictions or suspension of your driving privileges.

For questions about the Graduated Driver license System, contact:

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE

RECORD INFORMATION UNIT

517/322-1460

Web Page Address: Driver & Vehicle Page-Secretary of State