Photo: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) lets an adult 18 or older practice driving in Michigan with a licensed adult before the road test. You get it after passing the knowledge test, at a Secretary of State (SOS) office. You must hold it for at least 30 days before the driving skills test, unless SOS waives that because you were licensed before.
Key facts (as of November 2026)
- Who: first-time drivers aged 18 or older.
- First: pass the knowledge test, including the road sign test (online or at an SOS office).
- Permit fee: $25, per the July 2025 SOS announcement. Check the current fee with SOS.
- Valid for: up to 180 days (SOS also describes this as six months).
- Wait: 30 days before the driving skills test.
How to get a TIP in Michigan
- Pass the knowledge test. Online or in an office. See the Michigan knowledge test for adults. A pass stays valid for one year.
- Visit an SOS office. Even if you tested online, the permit is issued in person. Staff check your eligibility and documents.
- Pay the permit fee.
- Practice with a licensed adult.
- After 30 days, book the driving skills test with an approved testing business. See Michigan road test providers and fees.
What you need for the SOS visit
SOS checks identity and residency documents for a first license. Use the SOS document checklist on michigan.gov before you go. If you want a REAL ID compliant license, bring the documents for that too; see REAL ID for your first license.
Driving on a Michigan TIP
- Drive only with a licensed adult supervising.
- Michigan’s hands-free law applies to you: do not hold or support a phone while driving.
- Practice what the road test checks: forward stops, backing, smooth braking and signaling about 100 feet before turns. See the Michigan driving skills test.
Can the 30-day wait be waived?
SOS branch staff may waive it if you were previously licensed in Michigan, another state or another country. Bring proof of the earlier license. If you are moving with a current license, read moving to Michigan first; you may not need a TIP at all.
If your TIP runs out
The TIP is valid for up to 180 days. If it expires before you pass, ask SOS what you need to do to get a new one.
Common questions
Do adults need driver education in Michigan?
No. Driver education is required only for teens under 18.
How long do I have to hold a TIP before the road test?
At least 30 days, unless SOS waives it for a previous license.
Can I pick up my TIP online?
No. You can take the knowledge test online, but the TIP is issued at an SOS office.
How long is a Michigan TIP valid?
Up to 180 days.
I have a foreign license. Do I need a TIP?
Ask SOS. The 30-day wait may be waived for drivers licensed in another country. See driving in the US on a foreign license.
Back to the main guide: learning to drive in Michigan.
Sources
- Michigan Department of State, “New drivers (18 and older)” (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “Michigan Secretary of State now offers online driver’s license testing for adults” (July 2025) (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “Temporary Instruction Permits” (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “First-time license or ID” (michigan.gov)