Under Age 18

New Michigan residents under age 18 who wish to drive must apply for a Michigan driver's license at any Secretary of State office. Before your driver's license can be issued, you will be required to:

  • Successfully meet the requirements of Michigan's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program
  • Provide documentation of a valid Social Security number,U.S. citizenship or legal presenceif not a U.S. citizen,identityalong with at least two documents establishingMichigan residency
  • Pass a vision test and meet the physical and mental standards

A parent or legal guardian must accompany you to sign the driver's license application.

If you are currently licensed, present your license, learner's permit, instruction or probationary license. Michigan law permits drivers to hold only one valid driver's license at a time. If your previous driver's license is suspended or revoked, your application for a Michigan driver's license will be denied or canceled.

Based on your current level of licensing, a driving skills test may be required. To be eligible for a Michigan driver's license under the Graduated Driver License system, you must present proof that any driver education instruction you received in your previous state met Michigan's minimum standards of 30 hours of classroom and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. Your age, license type and proof of driver education will determine your eligibility for a Michigan Graduated Driver License.

The Secretary of State will contact your previous home state to obtain your driving record, which then becomes part of your Michigan driving record.

If you are in the U.S. and have temporary legal presence, you will be issued a limited-term driver's license. A limited term license is valid for only as long as you are authorized to be in the country. Limited-term licenses are not available in the enhanced version.

Note: Your situation may differ from the one described above. Please check with the Department of State Information Center at (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424) to make sure you have all the correct paperwork before going to a Secretary of State office.

All documentation is subject to Department of State approval. In some cases, document approval may not occur in the same day and may require an additional visit.


> Applying for a license or ID PDF icon
> GDL: A Guide for ParentsPDF icon
> Driving Skills Testing

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