Automobile Road Testing
Please contact a Road Testing company to schedule a road test. We do NOT test.
Q. If I am under 18, does my parent need to be present at the road test?
A.Yes. A parent or legal guardian must be present. Also, a parent is required to provide a safe vehicle for the road test.
Q. What materials are available to assist the parent with the behind-the-wheel experience?
A. The secretary of state has developed a 'road skills test study guide' that provides detailed instructions on preparing for the road test. This book is free at the Secretary of state.
Q. What if my student does not pass the road test?
A. The road examiner will give details about why the student did not pass the road test. The student is required to wait 24 hours before re-taking the road test.
Q. Am I allowed to practice the basic skills parking portion of the road test at a test site?
A. No. The Michigan Driver training and testing program does not allow students to practice at designated testing sites. The parent and student should practice parking downtown or after hours in their high school parking lot.
Q. Do all road test companies administer the same road test?
A. Yes. The Department of state evaluates the route written by third-party testing organizations and all organizations follow the same guidelines. Students must produce a PRINTED COPY of the driving log at the road skills test.
General Questions
Q. Are parents required to provide an additional behind-the-wheel driving experience?
A.Yes. After receiving a Level 1 license, a parent, legal guardian, or designated licensed adult (age 21+) must provide a minimum of 50 hours behind-the-wheel (10 hours at night) experience before applying for a level 2 license. 30 hours (2 hours at night) of the required 50 hours must occur before enrollment in Segment 2 Driver education.
Q. Does a commercial provider of driver education provide the same level of instruction?
A. Yes, a commercial school has the same classroom and behind-the-wheel requirements as a public school.
Q. If a student's employment requires working after midnight, how does the student get home?
A.When a student obtains a level 2 license, the young driver can only pursue a direct route from the place of employment to home after midnight.
Adult and Adult Foreign Student Instruction
Teen foreign exchange students are NOT eligible for a Michigan Driver License.
Q. How many driving lessons do I need?
A. There is no state requirement for adult training lessons. You will need to pass the road test in order to receive a Michigan license. If you choose to take lessons, the instructor will give you feedback after your first lesson. The instructor will help you work toward the goal of receiving a license.
Q. Can I take my road test as soon as I get my permit from the secretary of state?
A. No. You must practice 30 days on the permit before taking the road test unless the secretary of state waived the waiting period.