Photo: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you are 18 or older and getting your first Michigan driver’s license, you must pass the knowledge test, which includes a road sign test, before you can get a Temporary Instruction Permit. Since July 2025 you can take it online from home or at a Secretary of State (SOS) office; both are the same test. Teens under 18 do not take this test: they pass the Segment 1 and Segment 2 driver education exams instead.
Key facts (as of November 2026)
- Two sections: operator knowledge (about 45 minutes online) and road signs (about 15 minutes online).
- Online option for adults 18+ since July 2025, identical to the office test.
- Online convenience fee: $6.50 per attempt, per the July 2025 SOS announcement.
- Up to two online attempts per calendar day.
- A passed result is valid for one year.
What is on the Michigan knowledge test?
The test checks what is in “What Every Driver Must Know” (October 2025 edition). Focus on the driving chapters:
| Handbook chapter | What to learn |
|---|---|
| 4 Traffic Laws | Hands-free phone law, seat belts, work zones, school buses, right of way, speed, turning, passing, parking |
| 5 Signs, Pavement Markings and Signals | Sign shapes and colors, lane markings, traffic signals (the road sign section) |
| 6 Sharing the Road | Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, large trucks |
| 7 Emergencies and Special Situations | Crashes, breakdowns, bad weather |
The handbook’s “Safe Driving Knowledge Test” section has sample questions. Ask your SOS office if you want the current number of questions and pass mark.
Helpful refreshers: US road signs by shape and color, US pavement markings and traffic signals in the US.
How to take the Michigan knowledge test online
- Check your setup: a computer with a keyboard and mouse, and a webcam. Touch screens are not allowed.
- Start the test through the SOS online service and pay the convenience fee.
- Keep your face in view. The webcam takes random photos during the test to check for violations.
- If you fail, you may try again the same day, up to two attempts per calendar day, paying the fee each time.
- Once you pass, visit an SOS office to get your Temporary Instruction Permit. Staff check your eligibility and documents there. See the Michigan TIP guide.
Taking the test at an SOS office instead
You can still take the same test at an SOS office. This suits you if you do not have a webcam or would rather test in person. Check the SOS website for appointment options at your branch. Arrive at least one hour before the office closes so you have time to finish. Knowledge tests are offered in many languages, and an interpreter can be used for the written test (call 888-SOS-MICH ahead for the list).
Online or in person?
| Online | SOS office | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Adults 18+ | Adults 18+ |
| Test content | Same test | Same test |
| Extra fee | $6.50 convenience fee per attempt | No convenience fee; check other fees with SOS |
| Equipment | Keyboard, mouse, webcam | Provided |
| Permit | Still collected at an office | Issued at the office |
Common questions
Can I take the Michigan permit test online?
Yes, if you are 18 or older. Under-18s do not take this test.
How long does the online test take?
SOS gives about 45 minutes for the operator section and about 15 minutes for the road sign section.
Can I use my phone or tablet?
No. You need a computer with a keyboard and mouse. Touch screens are not allowed.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake it online up to twice per calendar day, paying the fee each time.
How long is a pass valid?
One year. Get your TIP within that time.
Do I need driver education as an adult?
No. Driver education is required only for teens under 18.
How does Michigan’s test compare with other states?
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, “What Every Driver Must Know” (October 2025) (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “What Every Driver Must Know: Safe Driving Knowledge Test” (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “What Every Driver Must Know” (SOS-133, Rev. 03/24 edition read; current edition October 2025)