Michigan: Licensing basics — Part 4 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Who administers Michigan's driving skills tests, and who sets the pricing?” · “What can happen if you fail to update your address with the Secretary of State?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "What Every Driver Must Know" (October 2025), Michigan Secretary of State.
Did you know?
- In 1901, the Michigan Secretary of State became responsible for maintaining records of motor vehicles and drivers operating in the state.
- In 1947, the minimum age to obtain a Michigan driver's license was raised from 14 years to 16 years.
- In 1970, Michigan issued its first motorcycle endorsement to State Rep. Loren Anderson.
More background reading from the manual →
All 19 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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Who administers Michigan's driving skills tests, and who sets the pricing?
- Approved independent testing businesses; the Secretary of State does not set fees
- The Secretary of State directly sets and collects a fixed statewide fee
- Local police departments, at no cost
- The applicant's driving school only, for free
Show answer
Correct answer: Approved independent testing businesses; the Secretary of State does not set fees
Driving skills tests are administered by independent driver testing businesses approved by the Secretary of State, which does not set their fees or pricing policies.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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What is the structure of the Michigan driving skills test?
- A written test followed by a short drive around the parking lot
- Only an on-road drive on expressways, with no closed course
- A single parallel-parking maneuver, followed by a vision test
- Off-street, closed-course maneuvers, then an on-road driving test
Show answer
Correct answer: Off-street, closed-course maneuvers, then an on-road driving test
The test begins with off-street closed-course maneuvers; after passing, an on-road test follows covering urban, expressway, rural highway and residential driving.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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A physician's statement is required if the Secretary of State has reason to believe you had a fainting spell, blackout, or seizure within the preceding how many months (for a regular license)?
- 6 months
- 3 months
- 12 months
- 24 months
Show answer
Correct answer: 6 months
A physician's statement is required if the Secretary of State has reason to believe you had a fainting spell, blackout, seizure or other loss of consciousness in the preceding six months.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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For a chauffeur's license or commercial driver's license, you must not have had any blackouts, fainting spells or seizures within how many months?
- 6 months
- 12 months
- 18 months
- 3 months
Show answer
Correct answer: 12 months
For a chauffeur's license or CDL, you must not have had any blackouts, fainting spells or seizures within the last 12 months.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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According to the manual, how does the probationary license program relate to Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)?
- Probation replaces GDL entirely
- Probation only applies to drivers over age 21
- They are the same program under different names
- Probation is separate from GDL but works like it
Show answer
Correct answer: Probation is separate from GDL but works like it
Probation is a separate program from GDL but works like GDL to encourage new drivers to reduce their crash risk and drive safely.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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To change your name on your Michigan driver's license, what must you do first, and how long must you wait before visiting an SOS office?
- Wait one full year after the legal name change before visiting
- Mail a request to the SOS first, then wait at least 30 days
- Change it with Social Security first, then wait at least 3 business days
- Visit the SOS office first; no wait or other steps are needed
Show answer
Correct answer: Change it with Social Security first, then wait at least 3 business days
You must first change your name with the Social Security Administration, then allow at least three business days for the SSA website to update before visiting a Secretary of State office.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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Under Michigan law, your driver's license address must correspond to what?
- Your residence address, and it must match your voter identification card
- Your employer's address
- Any address you choose
- Your mailing address only, which can differ from where you live
Show answer
Correct answer: Your residence address, and it must match your voter identification card
Michigan law requires that your driver's license address corresponds to your residence address and matches the address on your voter identification card.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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A change of address submitted online at Michigan.gov/SOS updates which records, and what does it cost?
- License/ID and voter registration, at no charge
- Only your driver's license, for a $10 fee
- Only your voter registration, at no charge
- Nothing; you must always visit in person
Show answer
Correct answer: License/ID and voter registration, at no charge
An online change of address updates your driver's license or state ID card and your voter registration, at no charge.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
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What can happen if you fail to update your address with the Secretary of State?
- You lose your voting rights permanently
- Your vehicle is impounded automatically
- Your license may be suspended or revoked
- Nothing; it is optional
Show answer
Correct answer: Your license may be suspended or revoked
Your driver's license may be suspended or revoked if you fail to change your address with the Secretary of State.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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A Michigan driver's license is usually valid for how long, and when does it expire if you are under age 21?
- 8 years, ending on your birthday; if under 21, on your 18th birthday
- 1 year, renewable each year on your birthday at any age
- 10 years regardless of age, ending on the date it was issued
- 4 years, ending on your birthday; if under 21, on your 21st birthday
Show answer
Correct answer: 4 years, ending on your birthday; if under 21, on your 21st birthday
A Michigan driver's license is usually valid for four years and expires on your birthday in the year shown; if you are under age 21, it expires on your 21st birthday.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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What happens if you renew your driver's license after its expiration date?
- You pay a late fee in addition to the regular renewal fee
- There is no penalty
- You must retake the driving skills test regardless of history
- Your license is automatically revoked
Show answer
Correct answer: You pay a late fee in addition to the regular renewal fee
If you renew your driver's license after its expiration date, you will pay a late fee in addition to the regular renewal fee.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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A driver's license renewal application may be denied if...
- The license is suspended, revoked or denied
- You changed your address in the last year
- You are over age 65
- You have ever received a speeding ticket
Show answer
Correct answer: The license is suspended, revoked or denied
Renewal will not be granted if the license is suspended, revoked or denied, or if you fail to provide a valid SSN/letter of ineligibility and proof of citizenship or legal presence.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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How often must you renew your driver's license in person at a Secretary of State office, where a vision screening and new photo are taken?
- Every 20 years
- Only once, at age 18
- Every 12 years
- Every 4 years, always in person
Show answer
Correct answer: Every 12 years
You must renew your driver's license every 12 years at a Secretary of State office, where a vision screening is given and a new photo is taken.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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When you decide to give up driving, what should you do with your driver's license?
- Mail it to your local police department with a letter
- Keep it as a souvenir; no further action is needed
- Return it to an SOS office and apply for a state ID card
- Destroy it yourself and do nothing else
Show answer
Correct answer: Return it to an SOS office and apply for a state ID card
When you decide to give up driving, return your driver's license to a Secretary of State office and apply for a state ID card.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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Free state ID cards are provided to which groups?
- All drivers over age 18 who renew on time, and all full-time college students
- Only military veterans and active-duty service members stationed in Michigan
- Only first-time applicants and drivers who lost their license to points
- The legally blind, drivers 65+ who give up their license, and those barred by a disability
Show answer
Correct answer: The legally blind, drivers 65+ who give up their license, and those barred by a disability
Free ID cards are provided to those who are legally blind, drivers 65 or older who voluntarily relinquish their license, and drivers whose privilege is suspended, revoked or denied due to a physical or mental disability.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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To apply for a Michigan license, how many convictions can you have on your driving record within the three years before your application date?
- No more than one
- No more than three
- Unlimited, as long as none are felonies
- Exactly two
Show answer
Correct answer: No more than one
To apply for a license, there can be no more than one conviction on your driving record within three years of your application date.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 1 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1)
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After you pass your driving skills test and your results are processed, about how long does it take for your new Michigan driver's license to arrive in the mail?
- Same day
- About six weeks
- About three weeks
- About three months
Show answer
Correct answer: About three weeks
Once the department receives your results, your new Michigan driver's license should arrive in the mail in about three weeks.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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After obtaining a TIP, how many days of practice driving with a licensed adult must you complete at minimum before taking the driving skills test?
- 30 days
- 7 days
- 90 days
- 180 days
Show answer
Correct answer: 30 days
You must complete a minimum of 30 days of practice driving with a licensed adult on a TIP before taking the driving skills test.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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If you need to take a written knowledge test for an original operator's, chauffeur's, or commercial license, how soon before closing should you arrive at the Secretary of State office?
- At least one hour before closing
- At least 15 minutes before closing
- Exactly at opening time only
- Anytime; there is no time requirement
Show answer
Correct answer: At least one hour before closing
You should arrive at the Secretary of State office at least one hour before closing to allow enough time to complete the knowledge test.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)