What score do I need to pass the Michigan permit test?

The Michigan handbook says teens must score at least 70 percent on the Segment 1 state exam. The handbook does not list a question count or passing score for the adult knowledge test, so check with the Secretary of State or your testing provider. This site's practice mock uses an 80 percent goal.

How old do I have to be to get a Level 1 Learner's License?

You must be at least 14 years, 9 months old and have finished Segment 1 of driver education. You apply at a Secretary of State office with your parent or legal guardian, pass the vision and health standards, and bring the required documents.

How much supervised driving do I need before the driving skills test?

Teens need at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, must finish Segment 2, and must have held the Level 1 Learner's License for at least six months. Adults on a temporary instruction permit must practice for at least 30 days before the driving skills test.

Can I take the test in another language?

Yes. The handbook says knowledge tests are available in many languages, and foreign language interpreters may be used on all written tests except CDL knowledge tests.

Are these the real Michigan test questions?

No. Every question here is an original practice question written from Michigan law and the Michigan driver's handbook, What Every Driver Must Know. The handbook has its own short sample test. Use this site to learn the rules, and read the official handbook as well.

Michigan DMV Permit Test

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Checked 10/22/26

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Exam info

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Type: State license
Field: Driving
Provider: Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State)
Sections: Road Signs (20) · Rules of the Road (30)
Questions · Time: 50 questions · 30 min
Format: New Michigan drivers must pass a written knowledge test and a road sign test. Teens take the Segment 1 driver education state exam before applying for a Level 1 Learner's License, and adults 18 and older who have never been licensed take the Secretary of State knowledge and road sign tests before getting a temporary instruction permit. The official handbook does not list the number of questions or a time limit, so this practice mock uses 20 road sign questions plus 30 rules-of-the-road questions with a 30-minute timer. This practice mock uses 4 answer choices per question.
Passing score: The Michigan handbook says teens must score at least 70 percent on the Segment 1 state exam. This practice mock asks for 80 percent (40 of 50) so that you go into the real test with a safety margin.
Eligibility: Teens can start Segment 1 driver education at 14 years, 8 months with a parent's permission and can apply for a Level 1 Learner's License at 14 years, 9 months after finishing Segment 1 and passing the vision test and health standards. Adults 18 and older who have never been licensed must pass a vision test and the written knowledge and road sign tests to get a temporary instruction permit (TIP). Check the Michigan Secretary of State website for current documents and fees before you go.

Exam outline

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Tap a unit name to see its key concepts and sample questions.

Road Signs20 questions

Unit 1: Sign Shapes, Colors, and Regulatory Signs★★★★★Weight 45%Concepts
Unit 2: Warning, School, Railroad, and Work Zone Signs★★★★★Weight 40%Concepts
Unit 3: Guide Signs and Route Markers★★★☆☆Weight 15%Concepts

Rules of the Road30 questions

Unit 1: Traffic Signals, Pavement Markings, and Michigan Lefts★★★★★Weight 20%Concepts
Unit 2: Right of Way, Emergency Vehicles, School Buses, and Railroad Crossings★★★★★Weight 20%Concepts
Unit 3: Speed Limits, Passing, Turning, and Parking★★★★☆Weight 20%Concepts
Unit 4: Safe Driving, Sharing the Road, and Emergencies★★★★☆Weight 15%Concepts
Unit 5: Graduated Driver Licensing and Permits★★★☆☆Weight 10%Concepts
Unit 6: Alcohol, Distracted Driving, Seat Belts, and Points★★★★☆Weight 15%Concepts

Michigan DMV Permit Test study tips

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Study order: Start with the three sign chapters, because 20 of the 50 questions in this practice mock are about signs and the shape and color of a sign tell you most of its meaning. Then study Traffic Signals, Pavement Markings, and Michigan Lefts, Right of Way, and Speed Limits, Passing, Turning, and Parking, which carry the most weight in the rules part. Finish with Safe Driving, the teen license levels, and the alcohol and points chapter.
Topics people often miss: Speed Limits, Passing, Turning, and Parking has many numbers that are easy to mix up, such as 15 feet from a fire hydrant, 20 feet from a marked crosswalk, and 30 feet from a stop sign or traffic light, so keep them in one list. In Right of Way, remember that for a train you stop no more than 50 feet and no less than 15 feet from the tracks, and for a school bus with flashing red lights you stop at least 20 feet away. In the teen license chapter, keep the 50 hours with 10 at night, the six months on Level 1, and the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. limit straight.
Test day tips: The handbook does not list how many questions the real test has, so read every question at a steady pace instead of rushing. On sign questions, use the shape and color first and then the symbol. Read every answer choice before you pick one, because wrong choices often differ by a single number or word.

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Michigan DMV Permit Test exam trends

The sign questions cover sign shapes and colors, regulatory signs, warning signs, school and railroad signs, work zone signs, and guide signs and route markers. The rules questions cover traffic signals and pavement markings, Michigan Lefts, right of way, emergency vehicles, school buses and railroad crossings, Michigan speed limits, passing, turning and parking, safe driving and sharing the road, the graduated licensing levels for teens, and alcohol, distracted driving, seat belts and the point system. The chapters on this site are study groupings, not official test sections.

Start with the three sign chapters, then study signals and markings, right of way, and the speed, passing, and parking rules. Finish with safe driving, the teen license levels, and the alcohol and points chapter, which are full of numbers. Before test day, take a full 50-question Mock Exam and aim for at least 40 correct.

Michigan DMV Permit Test Sample Questions and Explanations →

About Michigan DMV Permit Test

The Michigan permit test checks that you know Michigan traffic laws and road signs before you start driving with a learner's license or permit. Teens take the written test as the Segment 1 driver education state exam, and adults take the Secretary of State written knowledge and road sign tests. The questions are based on the Michigan driver's handbook, What Every Driver Must Know. Knowledge tests are available in many languages.

FAQ

Q. What score do I need to pass the Michigan permit test?: The Michigan handbook says teens must score at least 70 percent on the Segment 1 state exam. The handbook does not list a question count or passing score for the adult knowledge test, so check with the Secretary of State or your testing provider. This site's practice mock uses an 80 percent goal.
Q. How old do I have to be to get a Level 1 Learner's License?: You must be at least 14 years, 9 months old and have finished Segment 1 of driver education. You apply at a Secretary of State office with your parent or legal guardian, pass the vision and health standards, and bring the required documents.
Q. How much supervised driving do I need before the driving skills test?: Teens need at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, must finish Segment 2, and must have held the Level 1 Learner's License for at least six months. Adults on a temporary instruction permit must practice for at least 30 days before the driving skills test.
Q. Can I take the test in another language?: Yes. The handbook says knowledge tests are available in many languages, and foreign language interpreters may be used on all written tests except CDL knowledge tests.
Q. Are these the real Michigan test questions?: No. Every question here is an original practice question written from Michigan law and the Michigan driver's handbook, What Every Driver Must Know. The handbook has its own short sample test. Use this site to learn the rules, and read the official handbook as well.

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