I'm a new resident in Michigan: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Michigan. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Michigan

Each rule comes from the Michigan driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Apply as soon as you become a Michigan resident; there is no grace period.

  What the manual says

  • When to apply and what to bring

    Apply for a Michigan license as soon as you become a Michigan resident. Michigan law gives no grace period. Until you have enough Michigan residency documents, you can use your valid driver's license or state ID from another state. Pre-apply, schedule an office visit and bring the documents below.

    • Your current out-of-state driver's license
    • Proof of legal presence
    • Proof of your Social Security number
    • Proof of identity
    • 2 documents that prove Michigan residency

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  A valid, unexpired US state, territory or Canadian license converts with no written test; you take a vision test.

  What the manual says

  • Tests you do not have to take

    You can convert a valid, unexpired driver's license from another U.S. state or territory, or from Canada, at a Secretary of State office. You do not take a written test. You take a vision test and have your photo taken. The driver's manual says a license from Germany or South Korea can also be converted without the knowledge test, TIP or driving skills test.

  Source: [4] [1] [5]

• How long the license lasts

  Usually 4 years, expiring on your birthday; under 21, it expires on your 21st birthday.

  What the manual says

  • 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

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Level 2 license: no driving 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., except with a qualifying adult or for work.

  What the manual says

  • Level 2 license restrictions generally prohibit driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless an exception, such as being accompanied by a qualifying adult or driving for work, applies.

  • Get the Level 2 Intermediate License

    You move up to Level 2 automatically when you meet all the requirements. These include passing the driving skills test, being at least 16 years old and having held your Level 1 License for at least 6 months. You do not need to visit a Secretary of State office. Breaking a Level 2 restriction is a civil infraction and adds 2 points to your license. You must also stay at Level 2 for 12 more months and appear for a driver reexamination. Your license may be suspended, or more restrictions may be added.

    • No driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
    • No more than 1 passenger under age 21, except immediate family members
    • Seat belts are required for everyone in the front seat and everyone under age 16 in the car
    • No cell phone or other electronic device while driving, except in an emergency
    • The night and passenger restrictions do not apply when a parent, guardian or designated licensed adult age 21 or older is with you, or when you drive for your job, to or from work, or to or from an authorized activity

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 5

  Source: [6] [7] [5]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Level 2: at most one passenger under 21, except immediate family, with a parent/guardian/designated adult, or for work.

  What the manual says

  • A Level 2 driver may not have more than one passenger under age 21 in the vehicle, unless a parent/guardian/designated adult is present, the passengers are immediate family, or the trip is work/authorized-activity related.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 5

• Refusing a chemical test

  Refusing a chemical test means license suspension and 6 points; consent is given when you apply or renew.

  What the manual says

  • Refusing a chemical test results in a license suspension under Michigan's implied consent law; all drivers are considered to have given consent to the test when they apply for and renew their license.
  • Both refusal to take a chemical alcohol test and fleeing or eluding a police officer are 6-point violations.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 15, 14

• Seat belts

  Driver and all front-seat occupants must buckle up; all passengers under 16 in every seating position.

  What the manual says

  • Michigan law requires all front-seat occupants, including the driver, to wear a seat belt.
  • All passengers younger than 16 must be buckled up in all seating positions.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 25

• Child safety seats

  Car or booster seat until age 8 or 4'9", whichever first; under 4: rear seat, if the vehicle has one.

  What the manual says

  • A child must stay in a car seat or booster seat until age 8 or 4'9" tall, whichever comes first.
  • Children younger than 4 must ride in a rear seat if the vehicle has one; the front seat is allowed only when all rear seats are occupied by children under 4.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 25

• Phone use while driving

  No holding or using a phone while driving, except one-button hands-free use; GDL 1–2 teens: no non-emergency calls.

  What the manual says

  • The law bars holding or using a mobile electronic device such as a cell phone or tablet while driving.
  • Kelsey's Law (MCL 257.602c) bars teens holding a GDL 1 or GDL 2 license from non-emergency calls.
  • The exception allows pressing, tapping, or swiping a single button to activate the device, but not continued hand use afterward.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 24

• School buses

  Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus flashing red overhead lights; not needed across a median barrier.

  What the manual says

  • Drivers must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when its red overhead lights are flashing.
  • It is not necessary to stop for a school bus on the other side of a highway divided by a barrier such as a median.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 28

• Move Over law

  Emergency vehicle stopped with red, blue or amber lights: slow at least 10 mph below limit, move over if possible.

  What the manual says

  • The law requires slowing at least 10 mph below the posted limit and moving over a lane if traffic and conditions allow.
  • You must yield to stopped emergency vehicles with their red, blue, or amber lights flashing, rotating or oscillating (approaching vehicles use red/blue only).

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 28

• Headlights

  On from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and whenever visibility is reduced.

  What the manual says

  • Headlights must be turned on one half-hour after sunset until one half-hour before sunrise, and at other times when visibility is reduced.
  • Headlights must be on any time there is not enough daylight to see people and vehicles clearly at 500 feet; it is illegal to use only parking lights when headlights are required.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 64

• Right turn on red

  When turning right on red, yield to other vehicles; a "No Turn On Red" sign prohibits it.

  What the manual says

  • Drivers must yield to other vehicles when making a right turn, including at a red light.
  • This sign prohibits turning on a red light at that specific intersection.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 29, 44

• Speed limits

  Unposted: 55 mph non-freeway, 70 mph freeway, 25 mph in subdivisions.

  What the manual says

  • Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 55 mph on all streets that are not designated freeways and on all highways.
  • The manual sets a 70 mph maximum and 55 mph minimum on freeways unless posted otherwise.
  • The manual lists 25 mph as the standard limit in platted subdivisions and condominium complexes.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 26

• Left lane and keeping right

  On freeways keep to the right lane, except for listed reasons like congestion or a right-lane obstacle or hazard.

  What the manual says

  • When driving on a freeway, the manual generally requires driving in the right-hand lane, with specific listed exceptions.
  • The manual lists heavy traffic or congestion making the right lane impassable as a valid exception.
  • You may drive in the left lane when there is an obstacle or hazard in the right lane.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 33

• Points and suspension

  Points stay 2 years; 6+ one-point violations or 12+ points within 2 years require a driver reexamination.

  What the manual says

  • Points placed on a driving record remain there for two years from the date of conviction.
  • Six or more one-point violations, or 12 or more points, within a two-year period requires a driver assessment reexamination.

  Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 13

Official steps for moving to Michigan

• When to apply and what to bring

  Apply for a Michigan license as soon as you become a Michigan resident. Michigan law gives no grace period. Until you have enough Michigan residency documents, you can use your valid driver's license or state ID from another state. Pre-apply, schedule an office visit and bring the documents below.

  • Your current out-of-state driver's license
  • Proof of legal presence
  • Proof of your Social Security number
  • Proof of identity
  • 2 documents that prove Michigan residency

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• Tests you do not have to take

  You can convert a valid, unexpired driver's license from another U.S. state or territory, or from Canada, at a Secretary of State office. You do not take a written test. You take a vision test and have your photo taken. The driver's manual says a license from Germany or South Korea can also be converted without the knowledge test, TIP or driving skills test.

  Source: [4] [1] [5]

• Your old license and driving record

  When your Michigan application is accepted, your out-of-state license is made invalid and returned to you. The Michigan Department of State gets your driving record from your previous state, and it becomes part of your Michigan driving record. If your out-of-state license is suspended or revoked, you must clear this with your previous state before Michigan will accept your application.

  Source: [5]

• If you are under 18

  New residents under 18 must go through Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL). This is not required if you have had a valid license from another state for more than 1 year.

  Source: [5]

• A license from another country

  If your license is from a country other than Canada, Germany or South Korea, you must take a driving skills test. The driver's manual says that people who have a foreign license and want a Michigan license get a TIP. It also says that applicants 18 or older must get a TIP before the driving skills test (see 'If you are 18 or older').

  • The Driving Skills Test Study Guide says office staff may waive the 30-day practice period if you were licensed in another country.
  • If your foreign license has expired, you must apply for a TIP and pass a driving skills test.
  • A foreign driver's license shows only driving experience. You cannot use it as proof of legal presence or identity.

  Source: [5] [8] [9]

Sources

1. New Michigan residents (FAQs) (michigan.gov) — Michigan Department of State
2. License and ID document requirements (FAQs) (michigan.gov) — Michigan Department of State
3. New Michigan residents (michigan.gov) — Michigan Department of State
4. First-time license or ID (michigan.gov) — Michigan Department of State
5. What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), October 2025 (michigan.gov) — Michigan Department of State
6. New drivers (under 18) (michigan.gov) — Michigan Department of State
7. Drivers under 18 (FAQs) (michigan.gov) — Michigan Department of State
8. Driving Skills Test Study Guide (SOS-360) (michigan.gov) — Michigan Department of State
9. SOS-428: Applying for a Michigan license or state ID (Rev. 6/26) (michigan.gov) — Michigan Department of State