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In Michigan, adults 18 and over getting a first license take the Secretary of State knowledge test, which has an operator knowledge section and a road sign section, online or at an SOS office. Teens under 18 take the Segment 1 and Segment 2 driver education exams instead. This free practice test follows the adult layout with 40 original questions, and it also covers the rules teens are tested on in driver ed. The questions are unofficial, written from “What Every Driver Must Know” and Michigan law; they are not SOS questions.
Who takes which Michigan test
| You are | Test you take | Format known |
|---|---|---|
| 18 or older, first license | SOS knowledge test: operator knowledge plus road signs | About 45 minutes for operator knowledge and 15 for signs online. Ask SOS for the question count and pass mark. |
| Under 18 | Segment 1 and Segment 2 driver education exams | State exams, 70% to pass |
Adults can test online since July 2025, with up to two attempts per calendar day. Details: the Michigan knowledge test for new drivers 18 and over.
Road sign section (questions 1 to 12)
1. What shape is a STOP sign?
- A. Pentagon
- B. Triangle
- C. Circle
- D. Octagon
Answer: D. The octagon is used only for STOP. Handbook: Chapter 5, signs.
2. A yellow diamond sign means:
- A. Service available
- B. Direction to a city
- C. Regulation you must obey
- D. Warning of a condition or hazard ahead
Answer: D. Diamonds warn of curves, intersections and other changes. Handbook: Chapter 5, warning signs.
3. A downward-pointing red and white triangle means:
- A. Stop
- B. Yield
- C. Do not enter
- D. Merge ahead
Answer: B. Slow down and give the right of way, stopping if necessary. Handbook: Chapter 5, regulatory signs.
4. A five-sided sign warns you of:
- A. A bridge
- B. A school zone or crossing
- C. A detour
- D. A hospital
Answer: B. The pentagon is the school sign shape. Handbook: Chapter 5.
5. A round yellow sign with an X and RR means:
- A. Reduced speed
- B. Railroad crossing ahead
- C. Road narrows
- D. Roundabout ahead
Answer: B. This is the railroad advance warning sign. Handbook: Chapter 5.
6. Orange signs mean:
- A. Work zone ahead
- B. Deer area
- C. Snowmobile crossing
- D. Hospital route
Answer: A. Orange marks work zones. Slow down and follow flaggers. Handbook: Chapter 4 and Chapter 5, work zones.
7. A yellow pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road marks:
- A. A merge
- B. A school bus stop
- C. A bike lane
- D. A no passing zone
Answer: D. The pennant warns that a no passing zone begins. Handbook: Chapter 5.
8. A green rectangular sign with white letters is a:
- A. Speed limit sign
- B. Warning sign
- C. Construction sign
- D. Guide sign showing directions and distances
Answer: D. Green guide signs show routes and destinations. Blue shows services; brown shows recreation. Handbook: Chapter 5, guide signs.
9. A flashing red signal means:
- A. Proceed with caution
- B. Stop, then go when safe, as at a STOP sign
- C. Wait for green
- D. Signal is broken; ignore it
Answer: B. Flashing red is treated like a STOP sign. Handbook: Chapter 5, signals.
10. A flashing yellow left-turn arrow means:
- A. Left turn allowed after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- B. Protected left turn
- C. No left turns
- D. Left turn only after stopping for 3 seconds
Answer: A. Oncoming traffic has a green light, so the turn is not protected. Handbook: Chapter 5, signals.
11. A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:
- A. Shoulder
- B. Do not pass
- C. Bus lane
- D. You may pass
Answer: B. You may not pass when a solid yellow line is on your side. Handbook: Chapter 5, pavement markings.
12. A red sign reading WRONG WAY means:
- A. Railroad crossing
- B. Detour ahead
- C. Lane closed ahead
- D. You are traveling against traffic and must turn around safely
Answer: D. WRONG WAY and DO NOT ENTER signs mean you have entered a one-way road or ramp the wrong way. Handbook: Chapter 5, regulatory signs.
Operator knowledge section (questions 13 to 40)
Traffic laws and right of way
13. Two cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time. Who yields?
- A. The car on the left
- B. The car going straight
- C. The larger car
- D. The car on the right
Answer: A. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Handbook: Chapter 4, right of way.
14. When turning left on a green light without an arrow, you must:
- A. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- B. Stop in the crosswalk
- C. Go first because you were waiting
- D. Turn quickly before oncoming cars
Answer: A. Left turns on a plain green are not protected. Handbook: Chapter 4, right of way.
15. Unless a sign prohibits it, a right turn on red is allowed after:
- A. A complete stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians
- B. Slowing to 5 mph
- C. Waiting for a gap of 10 seconds
- D. Honking
Answer: A. Stop fully, yield, then turn. Handbook: Chapter 4, turning.
16. At a roundabout you must:
- A. Travel clockwise
- B. Expect circulating traffic to stop for you
- C. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
- D. Stop inside the circle
Answer: C. Yield on entry and travel counterclockwise. Handbook: Chapter 4, right of way.
17. An emergency vehicle with lights and siren is approaching. You should:
- A. Stop in the intersection
- B. Speed up to stay ahead
- C. Change to the left lane
- D. Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
Answer: D. Yield by pulling right, clear of intersections, and stopping. Handbook: Chapter 4, emergency vehicles.
18. You are behind a school bus that stops with red lights flashing. You must:
- A. Stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing
- B. Pass slowly on the left
- C. Slow to 10 mph
- D. Stop only if you see children
Answer: A. Traffic behind a stopped school bus always stops. The handbook explains when oncoming traffic must stop too. Handbook: Chapter 4, school buses.
19. A road crew is working in a lane ahead. You should:
- A. Use your phone to report it while driving
- B. Speed up to pass the zone quickly
- C. Slow down, obey the signs and flaggers, and watch for workers
- D. Drive on the shoulder
Answer: C. Work zones change quickly. Lower your speed and follow the posted directions. Handbook: Chapter 4, work zones.
20. A police car is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. You should:
- A. Stop behind it
- B. Move over a lane if you safely can, or slow down
- C. Flash your high beams
- D. Keep your speed and lane
Answer: B. Move over laws protect police, fire, EMS and roadside workers. Handbook: Chapter 4, traffic laws.
21. The speed limit is 55 mph but snow is falling heavily. You should:
- A. Drive 55 mph
- B. Follow the car ahead closely to see its tracks
- C. Drive faster to get home sooner
- D. Drive slower, at a speed safe for the conditions
Answer: D. Posted limits are for good conditions. Handbook: Chapter 4 and Chapter 7.
22. Before changing lanes, you should check your mirrors and:
- A. Honk
- B. Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot
- C. Nothing else
- D. Brake
Answer: B. Mirrors leave blind spots. Handbook: Chapter 4, lane changes.
23. Who must wear a seat belt in Michigan?
- A. The driver and every front-seat passenger, with additional rules for younger passengers
- B. Only passengers under 8
- C. Nobody on local roads
- D. Only the driver
Answer: A. Belts are required in the front seat, and Michigan adds rules for children and teens in any seat. Handbook: Chapter 4, seat belts.
Sharing the road
24. When following a motorcycle, you should:
- A. Follow closely to stay visible
- B. Pass it within its lane
- C. Flash your lights to make it move over
- D. Leave at least as much space as you would behind a car
Answer: D. Motorcycles need a full lane and can stop quickly. Handbook: Chapter 6.
25. If you cannot see a truck driver’s face in their side mirror:
- A. The driver is not paying attention
- B. The driver cannot see you
- C. You should brake hard
- D. You are in a safe position
Answer: B. You are in a blind spot. Move ahead or drop back. Handbook: Chapter 6, large trucks.
26. A pedestrian is crossing in a crosswalk as your light turns green. You should:
- A. Go around them
- B. Proceed, because the light is green
- C. Wait until they have crossed
- D. Honk
Answer: C. Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way. Handbook: Chapter 6, pedestrians.
27. You want to pass a cyclist on a two-lane road. You should:
- A. Wait for a safe gap and give the cyclist plenty of room
- B. Pass on a curve
- C. Honk until the cyclist moves onto the shoulder
- D. Pass as close as possible to get by
Answer: A. Cyclists have a right to the road. Pass only when you can do it safely with room to spare. Handbook: Chapter 6, bicyclists.
Alcohol, drugs and phones
28. Under Michigan’s Zero Tolerance law, a driver under 21 is in violation at a BAC of:
- A. 0.02 or more
- B. 0.05 or more
- C. 0.08 or more only
- D. 0.10 or more
Answer: A. Zero Tolerance applies from 0.02 for drivers under 21. The adult OWI limit is 0.08. Handbook: Chapter 2, drunk driving.
29. What does OWI stand for in Michigan?
- A. Official warning issued
- B. Out of state window inspection
- C. Operating while intoxicated
- D. Open wheel infraction
Answer: C. OWI is Michigan’s term for drunk driving. Handbook: Chapter 2.
30. The only way to remove alcohol from your body is:
- A. Coffee
- B. Time
- C. Food
- D. A shower
Answer: B. Your liver works at a fixed rate. Handbook: Chapter 2.
31. Under Michigan’s hands-free law, adult drivers may:
- A. Watch a video if the phone is mounted
- B. Hold a phone to make a call
- C. Text at a red light
- D. Use a phone only hands-free, without holding it
Answer: D. All Michigan drivers must be hands-free while driving. Handbook: Chapter 4, distracted driving.
32. Under Kelsey’s Law, a Level 1 or Level 2 driver may use a cell phone while driving:
- A. Hands-free only
- B. Only at red lights
- C. Only for navigation
- D. Not at all, including hands-free and built-in voice systems, except to report an emergency
Answer: D. Kelsey’s Law bans all cell phone use by Level 1 and Level 2 drivers, except emergency reports. See Kelsey’s Law and the hands-free law. Handbook: Chapter 4.
33. Michigan requires a driver reexamination, where your license may be suspended, when you collect how many points in two years?
- A. 6
- B. 8
- C. 12 or more
- D. 20
Answer: C. 12 or more points in two years leads to a reexamination. Handbook: Chapter 2, driving record.
Michigan license levels
34. Who may supervise a Michigan Level 1 learner?
- A. Any passenger 16 or older
- B. Any licensed driver 18 or older
- C. A licensed parent or guardian, or a licensed driver 21 or older designated by the parent or guardian
- D. No one; Level 1 drivers can drive alone in daylight
Answer: C. Level 1 drivers must always be supervised by one of those adults. Handbook: Chapter 1, GDL.
35. What is the earliest age for a Michigan Level 1 learner’s license?
- A. 14 years 8 months
- B. 14 years 9 months
- C. 15 years
- D. 16 years
Answer: B. Segment 1 can start at 14 years 8 months and Level 1 at 14 years 9 months. See Michigan graduated licensing Levels 1, 2 and 3. Handbook: Chapter 1.
36. How many supervised hours must a Michigan teen log before the driving skills test?
- A. 30, including 2 at night
- B. 40, including 6 at night
- C. 50, including 10 at night
- D. 60, including 10 at night
Answer: C. 50 hours in total, 10 at night, certified by a parent or guardian. You need 30 hours (2 at night) before Segment 2. Handbook: Chapter 1.
37. A Level 2 driver may not drive alone during which hours (unless an exception applies)?
- A. 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- B. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- C. Midnight to 6 a.m.
- D. 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Answer: B. Level 2 drivers may not drive 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. without a qualifying adult, except for listed reasons such as work. Handbook: Chapter 1, Level 2 restrictions.
38. A Level 2 driver may carry how many passengers under 21 (not counting the exceptions)?
- A. None
- B. One
- C. Two
- D. Three
Answer: B. No more than one passenger under 21, with exceptions for family, work and authorized activities. Handbook: Chapter 1, Level 2 restrictions.
39. An adult 18 or older with a Temporary Instruction Permit must hold it for at least how long before the driving skills test?
- A. 7 days
- B. 30 days
- C. 90 days
- D. 6 months
Answer: B. Adults need at least 30 days on the TIP. SOS may waive this if you were licensed before. Handbook: Chapter 1, TIP.
40. Your car starts to skid on ice. You should:
- A. Ease off the gas and steer gently where you want to go
- B. Slam on the brakes
- C. Accelerate
- D. Jerk the wheel the other way
Answer: A. Smooth steering and no sudden braking give the tires the best chance to grip again. Handbook: Chapter 7, emergencies.
Check your result
Ask SOS for the pass mark for the adult test. Treat 36 of 40 as ready. If most of your misses are in questions 1 to 12, spend a session on signs before anything else; if they are in the license level questions, reread Chapter 1.
Common questions
Are these the real Michigan knowledge test questions?
No. They are original, unofficial practice questions. The handbook ends with its own “Safe Driving Knowledge Test” sample questions, which are worth doing too.
Do teens take the Michigan permit test?
No. Teens pass the Segment 1 and Segment 2 driver education exams (70% to pass) instead. See Segment 1 explained.
Can I take the Michigan knowledge test online?
Yes, if you are 18 or older. You need a computer with a keyboard, mouse and webcam, and there is a convenience fee per attempt.
How many questions are on the Michigan knowledge test?
Ask your SOS office if you want the current figures.
What happens after I pass?
Visit an SOS office for your TIP, then book the road test with a testing business after 30 days. See learning to drive in Michigan and the Michigan driving skills test.
Where are other states’ practice tests?
See US permit practice tests by state.
Sources
- Michigan Department of State, “What Every Driver Must Know” (October 2025) (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “New drivers (18 and older)” (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Department of State, “Teen drivers” (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Legislature, “Michigan Vehicle Code, MCL 257.310e” (legislature.mi.gov)