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Michigan’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) has three license levels for drivers under 18: Level 1 learner’s license from 14 years 9 months, Level 2 intermediate license from 16 and Level 3 full license from 17. This page sets out what each level allows, how long you must hold it and the clean-record periods you need to move up, under MCL 257.310e and Secretary of State (SOS) guidance.
Michigan GDL levels compared
| Level 1 learner’s license | Level 2 intermediate license | Level 3 full license | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earliest age | 14 years 9 months | 16 | 17 |
| Before you get it | Segment 1 finished, parent or guardian approval | 6 months on Level 1, Segment 2, 50 supervised hours (10 at night), driving skills test passed, 90 clean days | 6 months on Level 2, 12 clean consecutive months |
| Supervision | Always: licensed parent or guardian, or licensed driver 21+ designated by them | Not needed in the day | None |
| Night limit | Supervised at all times | No driving 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., with exceptions | None |
| Passengers | Supervisor present | No more than one under 21, with exceptions | No GDL limit |
| Phone | No cell phone use (Kelsey’s Law) | No cell phone use (Kelsey’s Law) | Hands-free law for all drivers |
Level 1: the Michigan learner’s license
- Requires Segment 1 driver education, which you can start at 14 years 8 months with parent permission. See Michigan Segment 1 explained.
- You may drive only with a licensed parent or legal guardian, or, with their permission, a licensed driver 21 or older.
- After 3 continuous months and 30 logged hours (2 at night) you can take Segment 2.
- You must hold Level 1 for at least 6 months before the driving skills test. The 3-month mark is only the gate for Segment 2.
Level 2: the Michigan intermediate license
Requirements
- At least 16 years old.
- Level 1 held for at least 6 months.
- Segment 2 completed.
- 50 supervised hours, 10 at night, certified by a parent or guardian. See the 50-hour log checklist.
- Driving skills test passed. See the Michigan driving skills test.
- No convictions, suspensions or at-fault crashes in the 90 days before you apply.
If your Level 1 was issued as a photo hard card, you move to Level 2 automatically once you meet these rules and pass the skills test. With a paper Level 1, you visit an SOS office with your Level 1, Segment 2 certificate, skills test certificate and identity documents.
Night rule: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
You may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless you are:
- driving to or from work, or in the course of work
- driving to or from an authorized activity, such as a school event
- with a parent, legal guardian or licensed driver 21 or older designated by them
Passenger rule: one under 21
You may carry no more than one passenger under 21, unless the passengers are immediate family, you are going to or from work or an authorized activity, or a parent or designated adult 21+ is in the car.
Phones
Kelsey’s Law bans Level 1 and Level 2 drivers from making or taking non-emergency calls while driving, including hands-free calls. Official sources disagree about voice systems built into the car, so avoid them too. More detail: Kelsey’s Law and the hands-free law.
Level 3: the Michigan full license
- At least 17 years old.
- At least 6 months on Level 2.
- 12 consecutive months with no moving violations, at-fault crashes or suspensions.
SOS issues Level 3 automatically, at no fee, once you qualify, unless a parent or guardian asks to delay it because they feel you are not ready. A ticket or at-fault crash restarts the clean-record clock, so it can delay Level 3. See Michigan points and young driver rules.
Worked example
A teen starts Segment 1 at 14 years 8 months and gets Level 1 at 14 years 9 months. Segment 2 can start after 3 months and 30 hours. The skills test can come once Level 1 has been held 6 months and the 50 hours are logged, but the Level 2 license itself still waits until the 16th birthday. Level 3 then follows at 17 at the earliest, after 6 months on Level 2 and a clean 12 months.
Common questions
Can a Level 2 driver drive at night for a job?
Yes. Driving to or from work, or as part of the job, is an exception to the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. rule.
Can I drive my brother and sister on Level 2?
Yes. Immediate family members do not count toward the one-passenger-under-21 limit.
Who can supervise a Level 1 driver?
A licensed parent or legal guardian, or a licensed driver 21 or older whom the parent or guardian designates.
Can I use hands-free calling on Level 2?
No. Kelsey’s Law covers hands-free use too. Emergency calls are allowed.
Does a speeding ticket stop me getting Level 3?
It can. Level 3 needs 12 consecutive months with no moving violations, at-fault crashes or suspensions.
How does Michigan compare with other states?
See US graduated licensing compared.
Back to the main guide: learning to drive in Michigan.
Sources
- Michigan Legislature, “MCL 257.310e Graduated licensing” (legislature.mi.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “New drivers (under 18)” (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “Drivers under 18” FAQ (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “Michigan’s Graduated Driver Licensing: A Guide for Parents” (SOS-383) (michigan.gov)
- Michigan State Police, “Kelsey’s Law” flyer (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “What Every Driver Must Know” (SOS-133, Rev. 03/24 edition read; current edition October 2025)