Michigan DMV Permit Test: Graduated Driver Licensing and Permits Concepts
Importance ★★★☆☆ · 10% (estimate)
Overview
Michigan teens under 18 earn a license through Graduated Driver Licensing. They complete two segments of driver education and move through three license levels, gaining privileges as they gain experience. Graduated licensing ends at age 18.
The Level 1 Learner's License allows driving only with a licensed parent, guardian, or designated adult who is at least 21 and sits in the front seat. Before the driving skills test, a teen must log supervised hours, including night driving, and hold the Level 1 license for a set time. The Level 2 Intermediate License adds limits on late-night driving and on young passengers, with exceptions for work and authorized activities.
Adults who have never been licensed get a temporary instruction permit after passing the vision, knowledge, and road sign tests, then practice with a licensed adult before the skills test. All new drivers are on probation for at least three years, and Kelsey's Law bars Level 1 and Level 2 drivers from non-emergency phone calls.
Key concepts
Segment 1
Driver education can start at 14 years, 8 months with a parent's permission. It includes classroom time, behind-the-wheel time, and observation, and ends with a state exam needing 70 percent.
Memory tipSegment 1 comes before any license.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Level 1 Learner's License
At least 14 years, 9 months, with Segment 1 done. Drive only with a licensed parent, guardian, or designated adult 21 or older in the front seat.
Memory tipLevel 1: never drive alone.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Driving skills test (teens)
At least 15, Segment 2 done, 50 logged hours including 10 at night, and the Level 1 license held at least six months.
Memory tip50 hours, 10 at night, 6 months.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Level 2 Intermediate License
At least 16 with Level 1 held 6 months. No driving 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and no more than one passenger under 21, unless an exception applies.
Memory tipLevel 2: home by 10, one young passenger.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Level 3 Full License
At least 17, Level 2 held 6 months, and 12 consecutive months without a moving violation, at-fault crash, suspension, or GDL violation.
Memory tipLevel 3 is earned with a clean year.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Temporary instruction permit
For new adult drivers and some others. Valid 180 days. Practice at least 30 days with a licensed adult before the driving skills test.
Memory tipTIP: 180 days valid, 30 days practice.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Often tested
- Segment 2 needs a 30-hour log with 2 hours at night and Level 1 held three months.
- A license for a driver under 21 expires on the 21st birthday.
- New drivers are on probation for at least three years.
- Under Kelsey's Law, Level 1 and 2 drivers may use a phone only for emergencies.
- Level 2 limits do not apply when driving to or from work.
Easy to confuse: The three GDL levels
| Level | Minimum age | Main limits |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Learner's | 14 years, 9 months | Only with a licensed parent, guardian, or designated adult 21+ |
| Level 2 Intermediate | 16 | No driving 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.; one passenger under 21 (with exceptions) |
| Level 3 Full | 17 | No state-imposed restrictions |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. What is the youngest age to get a Level 1 Learner's License?
- ① 14 years, 9 months
- ② 16 years
- ③ 15 years
- ④ 14 years, 8 months
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ① 14 years, 9 months
Key point: Level 1 Learner's License: at least 14 years, 9 months
To apply for a Level 1 Learner's License, you must be at least 14 years, 9 months old, have finished Segment 1, and visit the office with a parent or legal guardian.
Wrong choices
- 16 years: 16 is the minimum age for a Level 2 Intermediate License.
- 15 years: 15 is the minimum age for the driving skills test.
- 14 years, 8 months: That is the minimum age to start Segment 1 of driver education.
Question 2. With a Level 1 Learner's License, who must be with you when you drive?
- ① Any passenger age 16 or older
- ② Any licensed driver age 18 or older
- ③ A licensed parent, guardian, or designated licensed adult age 21 or older, in the front seat
- ④ No one, during daylight hours
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ A licensed parent, guardian, or designated licensed adult age 21 or older, in the front seat
Key point: Level 1: always with a licensed parent or designated adult 21+
A Level 1 driver may drive only with a licensed parent, guardian, or designated licensed adult age 21 or older seated in the front seat. A designated adult needs a signed letter from the parent or guardian.
Wrong choices
- Any passenger age 16 or older: The supervisor must be a licensed adult 21 or older.
- Any licensed driver age 18 or older: The supervisor must be 21 or older and a parent, guardian, or designated adult.
- No one, during daylight hours: Level 1 drivers must always be supervised.
Question 3. Before taking the driving skills test, how much supervised driving must a teen log?
- ① At least 40 hours, including 5 at night
- ② At least 30 hours, including 2 at night
- ③ At least 50 hours, including 10 at night
- ④ At least 20 hours, with no night driving
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ At least 50 hours, including 10 at night
Key point: Skills test needs 50 supervised hours, 10 at night
Before the driving skills test, a teen must log at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night. Starting Segment 2 requires a log of 30 hours, including 2 at night.
Wrong choices
- At least 40 hours, including 5 at night: The skills test requires 50 hours, 10 at night.
- At least 30 hours, including 2 at night: That is the log needed to start Segment 2, not the skills test.
- At least 20 hours, with no night driving: Night practice is required.
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