Michigan Level 1 Learner's License: Age, Rules and Who Can Ride With You
How old must I be to get a Michigan Level 1 Learner's License?
You must be at least 14 years 9 months old. First finish Segment 1 of driver education (you can enroll at 14 years 8 months) and pass its state exam with at least 70%. Then go to a Secretary of State office with a parent or guardian, pass a vision test, have your photo taken and pay $25. You may then drive only with a licensed supervisor.
Where these rules come from (as of 2026)
The steps and rules come from the Michigan Department of State page for new drivers under 18, the What Every Driver Must Know handbook (SOS-133, October 2025) and Michigan law (MCL 257.310e) on graduated licensing. The Secretary of State FAQ pages for drivers under 18 and for licenses and ID add the document, phone and other-state answers. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Michigan Department of State (michigan.gov/sos) before you drive.
How to get a Level 1 Learner's License in Michigan
- 1
Enroll in Segment 1
Be at least 14 years 8 months old and have a parent or guardian's permission. Segment 1 has at least 24 hours of classroom instruction, and Michigan law requires at least 6 hours of on-the-road driving with the instructor. Online-only courses and home school or parent-taught driver education do not count. See the Segment 1 and Segment 2 guide for the course details.
- 2
Pass the Segment 1 state exam
You need a score of at least 70% on the Segment 1 state exam to pass the course. Keep your Segment 1 Certificate of Completion for the office visit.
- 3
Book the visit and pre-apply
You pre-apply for the Level 1 License when you schedule the Secretary of State office visit. To apply, you must be at least 14 years 9 months old.
- 4
Go to the office with a parent or guardian
Your parent or guardian comes with you and signs the application. Bring the Segment 1 certificate and proof of a Social Security number (or a letter of ineligibility), U.S. citizenship or legal presence, identity and Michigan residency, as originals or certified copies. You pass a vision test and the health standards, have your photo taken and pay the $25 license fee.
- 5
Carry the card and start the driving log
You get a hard card as your Level 1 License. Carry it whenever you drive and show it to a police officer who asks. Your parent or guardian gets the Supervised Driving Guide, which they use to coach you and to record your supervised hours.
Who can supervise you on a Level 1 license
- A licensed parent or guardian.
- An adult who is licensed and at least 21 years old, if your parent or guardian designates the person. This adult needs a signed letter of authorization from your parent or guardian, and you should carry the letter when you drive with this adult.
- Every supervisor needs a valid, unexpired driver's license and sits in the front seat next to you. A practice question on who must sit beside a Level 1 driver tests this rule.
Can this person supervise my driving?
Can you use your phone on a Level 1 license? Kelsey's Law
No, except in an emergency. Kelsey's Law bans teens with a Level 1 or Level 2 license from using any electronic or cellular device while driving. For a cell phone, "use" means to start a call, answer a call, or listen or talk on a call. The ban does not apply to a voice-operated system that is integrated into the vehicle. It also does not apply when you use the phone to report a traffic accident, a medical emergency, a serious road hazard, a danger to your personal safety, or a crime.
Driving log hours and Level 1 time you need
| Step | Supervised hours in your driving log | Night hours | Also needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before you take Segment 2 | At least 30 | At least 2 | Level 1 held for at least 3 consecutive months |
| Before you take the driving skills test | At least 50 | At least 10 | Level 1 held for at least 6 months, Segment 2 finished, age 15 or older, a parent or guardian with you |
How long you keep a Level 1 license
At least 6 months, by Michigan law. You move up to the Level 2 Intermediate License when you are at least 16, have held Level 1 for at least 6 months, have finished Segment 2, have passed the driving skills test and have had no violations or at-fault crashes in the last 90 days. The move is automatic: you do not visit a Secretary of State office. A moving violation, an at-fault crash or a suspension during Level 1 extends it until you have 90 consecutive days without one, or until age 18. See the Level 2 rules for what changes next.
Level 1 Learner's License questions
Can I get a Michigan Level 1 license at 15?
Yes. At 15 you are past the minimum age of 14 years 9 months. Age is not the only rule: you also need the Segment 1 certificate and a parent or guardian with you at the office. If you have not started Segment 1 yet, plan for the course time first. Segment 1 can take from a month or two to several months.
Can I practice driving before I get my Level 1 license?
Yes, with a Parent Driving Permit. It lets you practice with your licensed parent or guardian, but only while you are enrolled in and attending a Segment 1 course. Your driver education provider issues it after your parent or guardian gives authorization. The permit is optional.
What happens to my Level 1 license when I turn 18?
It expires when you turn 18. If you still want a driver's license, you then follow the steps for applicants who are 18 and older. Teens who reach a valid Level 2 or Level 3 license before 18 get an operator's license automatically instead.
Can my parent cancel my Level 1 license?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can cancel your graduated license, or hold you at your current level, at any time before your 18th birthday. To do this, the parent or guardian schedules a visit at a Secretary of State office.
Can I drive in another state on a Michigan Level 1 license?
Maybe. The Secretary of State says another state may or may not recognize the Michigan Level 1 Learner's License. Before the trip, contact the licensing agency of the state where you will drive and ask if it recognizes the Michigan Level 1 license.
Key Takeaways
- You can get Level 1 at 14 years 9 months, after Segment 1 and a score of at least 70% on its state exam.
- At the Secretary of State office, bring a parent or guardian and your documents, pass a vision test, have your photo taken and pay $25. A practice question on the minimum age for Level 1 checks the age rule.
- Your supervisor is a licensed parent or guardian, or a designated licensed adult who is 21 or older with a signed letter, in the front seat.
- Kelsey's Law bans phone use except in an emergency. Log 30 hours (2 at night) before Segment 2 and 50 hours (10 at night) before the driving skills test.
- Next step: practice on the free Michigan operator practice test (English only).
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