Driver education is the starting point to getting your license. In Michigan, the process is broken into 2 main segments. This is to ensure that students are learning the correct way to operate their vehicles and to keep everyone on the road safe
Step 1: Segment 1
The first step can begin once students are 14 years and 8 months old. Students will enroll in a Segment 1 course that consists of 24 hours of classroom time, 6 hours of in-car training with a certified instructor, and 4 hours of observation. Students will learn basic driving skills and will become comfortable driving on the street and will understand neighborhood driving as well as freeway driving.
Step 2: Level 1 License
Once a student receives their certificate of completion for Segment 1, they can apply for their level 1 license at the Secretary of State, accompanied by a legal guardian. Once they take their photo, they can leave with their permit receipt. The receipt is only a stand-in until the hard license is mailed out.
The Secretary of State will require certain documents at this step. Proof of Social Security number, legal presence, identity, and Michigan residency, and a Michigan Driver Education Segment 1 Certificate of Completion. Failure to bring all the required documents will result in the student being turned away until they can provide everything the Secretary of State needs.
Step 3: Practice Driving
After obtaining a level 1 license, students are required to log 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice. 2 of the hours driven will need to be at night. They are only licensed to drive with a guardian or adult that is at least 21 years old. It is important that the student keeps a detailed drive log company that ensures their vehicle is also made aware that there is a student driving during this time.
Step 4: Segment 2
To take Segment 2, the student must have held their permit or level 1 license for at least 3 months and a log of all their drives that details the hours of practice they had. The course requires 6 hours of classroom time and has a written exam at the end.
Step 5: Road Test or Driving Skills Test
Driver education is the starting point to getting your license. In Michigan, the process is broken into 2 main segments. This is to ensure that students are learning the correct way to operate their vehicles and to keep everyone on the road safe
Step 6: License Upgrades
Once a student has held their permit for at least 6 months and has completed 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice; with 10 of them being at night, they are eligible to take their road test. This test requires a vehicle inspection, the Segment 2 completion certificate, and their completed drive log. Students will take a basic control skills test and then proceed to the driving skills test.
