Michigan’s
Graduated
Driver
Licensing:
Michigan’s
Graduated
Driver
Licensing:
Michigan’s
Graduated
Driver
Licensing:
A GUIDE
FOR PARENTS
A GUIDE
FOR PARENTS
A GUIDE
FOR PARENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Please note: All of the following information is also available on the Michigan
Department of State’s Web site — Michigan.gov/TeenDriver
Teen Risk Factors for Crashing 1
How GDL Works to Reduce Teen Driving Risks 3
Consequences for Violating GDL Restrictions 5
How Parents Can Leverage GDL 6
Getting Started in GDL 7
Choosing a Driver Education Program
Driver Education for Teens with Disabilities
Beginning Driver Education—Segment 1 8
Preparing for the Level 1 Learner’s License 10
Your Teenager Has a Level 1 License: Now What? 12
Preparing for Segment 2 of Driver Education 14
Getting Ready for the Driving Skills Test 16
The Level 2 Intermediate License 18
Parent’s Authority to Cancel or Restrict License 20
The Final Stage—Gaining Full Driving Privileges at Level 3 21
Probation 23
A Word About the Michigan Department of State
Probationary License Program
What Are Zero Tolerance and Minor in Possession Laws? 23
Authorized Activity Under Level 2 License 26
Cell Phone Restrictions 26
Michigan’s Graduated License System 27
— 1 —
The Michigan’s Graduated Driver Licensing: A Guide for Parents
contains valuable information on Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL),
driver education, available resources, and more. Parents and teens are
encouraged to read this publication and maintain it for reference as they
go through the GDL process.
TEEN RISK FACTORS FOR CRASHING
Sixteen- and 17-year-old drivers have the highest crash rates of any age
group. Crash rates peak during the first six months of licensure that teens
drive without supervision, making this an essential time for parents to
be involved with their teen drivers. The major reason for crashes among
newly licensed drivers is the failure to identify potential risks and react
appropriately.
Our culture tends to view teens as young adults when, neurologically,
they are only large children. The area of the brain that regulates logic and
reasoning develops before the area that controls impulse and emotion.
Young drivers often do not have the full capacity to control impulses.
Inexperience and immaturity combine to make young drivers especially
at-risk in five circumstances:
1.
At night: Driving is more difficult and dangerous at night for everyone,
but particularly for teenagers.
Young drivers have less experience driving at night than during the day,
and drowsiness and alcohol may be more of a factor at night. Sixteen-
and 17-year-old drivers are about three times more likely to be involved
in a fatal crash at night than during the day.
2.
After drinking alcohol: Young driver’s inexperience with both driving
and drinking means that they have a higher crash risk no matter how
much alcohol they have consumed when compared to older drivers.
3.
With passengers: Teenage passengers can distract young drivers and
encourage them to take risks.
Adding just one passenger increases a teen driver’s crash risk by 50
percent. Three or more passengers – the risk is nearly four times greater
than when alone. Limiting passengers is essential.
4.
When unbelted: Seat belts reduce the risk of injury or fatality in a crash,
but teenage drivers and passengers have lower belt use rates than older
drivers and passengers. Today’s teens are not buckling up. Males and
passengers have the lowest use rates. For fatal crashes in 2011, 58 percent
of teen drivers age 15-19 and 50 percent of their passengers were not
buckled up.
— 2 —
5.
When using cell phones: All drivers are at higher risk when talking or
texting; however, young drivers use cell phones more frequently than
older drivers and have more difficulty handling distractions. Many teens
do not understand the dangers of distracted driving.
It is important that adults provide guidance, oversight and set limits for
their teen drivers. Parents, guardians, and mentors, play a critical role in
helping teens survive their most dangerous driving years. Parents who set,
monitor and enforce safe driving practices have teens that are less likely to
receive traffic tickets or be involved in traffic crashes.
— 3 —
HOW GDL WORKS TO REDUCE
TEEN DRIVING RISKS
A teen’s first year behind the wheel is critical. That is why Michigan
and other states across the country have adopted GDL laws for teen driv-
ers. GDL is designed to help teens gradually and safely build their skills
and experience behind the wheel and is responsible for 20- to 40-percent
reductions in teen crashes. In Michigan, GDL consists of two segments of
driver education instruction and three licensing levels.
Driver Education: Driver Education Segment 1 includes a minimum
of 24 hours of classroom instruction; minimum of six hours of behind-
the-wheel instruction; and a minimum of four hours of observation time
as a passenger in a training vehicle. Driver Education Segment 2 includes a
minimum of six hours of classroom instruction.
GDL Licensing Levels and Restrictions:
Level 1 Learner’s License* – Teens with a Level 1 License may only
drive with a licensed parent, guardian or designated licensed adult age 21
or older.
1.
Level 2 Intermediate License* – Teens with a Level 2 License:
n Shall not operate a motor vehicle between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
except when:
n driving to or from or in the course of employment;
n driving to or from an authorized activity; or
n accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or a licensed driver 21
years of age or older designated by the parent or legal guardian.
2.
Shall not operate a motor vehicle at any time with more than 1 passen-
ger in the vehicle who is younger than 21 years of age except:
n when the additional passengers are immediate family members;
n when driving to or from, or in the course of employment;
n while going to or from an authorized activity; or
n when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or a licensed
driver 21 years of age or older designated by the parent or legal
guardian.
Authorized activity means any of the following:
(a) A school or a school-sanctioned event or activity. School means a
public or private school, including a home school.
(b) A sporting event or activity, or extracurricular event or activity,
that is not school-sanctioned but that is part of an official sports
league or association or an official extracurricular club, or that
— 4 —
is paid for as a service offered by a business specializing in those
events or activities or training for those events or activities.
(c) A class or program of vocational instruction offered by a college,
community college, nonprofit association, or unit of government
or by a business specializing in vocational training.
(d) An event or activity sponsored by a religious organization that is
tax-exempt under federal law.
(e) Transporting an individual in need of immediate emergency care
or personal protection to a health-care professional, hospital,
police station, domestic violence shelter, or public safety location.
*It is illegal for any teen driver with a GDL Level 1 or Level 2 to use a cell
phone while driving. “Use” means to initiate a call; answer a call; or listen
to or engage in verbal communication through a cell phone. This does not
apply if the teen is using a voice-operated system that is integrated into the
vehicle or if they use the cell phone to: 1) Report a traffic accident, medical
emergency or serious road hazard, 2) Report a situation in which the teen
believes his or her personal safety is in jeopardy, and 3) Report or prevent
the commitment of a crime or potential crime against the teen or another
person.
Level 3 Full License – Teens with a Level 3 license have no state-imposed
license restrictions.
— 5 —
CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING
GDL RESTRICTIONS
Teens ticketed and convicted of violating the restrictions of their GDL
license will be referred for a driver assessment reexamination by the
Michigan Department of State. Depending on the nature of the viola-
tion, the department may suspend the teen’s license for up to a year. Any
suspension action taken against the license may also significantly delay a
teen’s advancement through GDL.
Teens must be 90 days crash- and violation-free before applying for a
Level 2 license. For a Level 3 license, teens must be crash- and violation-free
for 12 consecutive months before applying.
— 6 —
HOW PARENTS CAN LEVERAGE GDL
Driving is a learned activity that takes practice. No matter how intelli-
gent, level-headed, respectful, or talented a teen may be, when it comes to
driving, all teens face a serious crash risk. Teens must drive to gain skill in
all types of situations and conditions in order to reduce this risk. Supervise
your teen’s driving for as much and as long as possible. Seek out opportuni-
ties to continue to drive with your teen after Level 2 licensure. It takes 3 to 5
years for novices to be exposed to the myriad of driving situations they will
encounter. Parents are the key enforcers of GDL and they are in the best
position to supplement more stringent driving restrictions and determine
when their teen is ready to progress to the next licensing level. When mak-
ing licensing decisions for your teen, assess their ability to understand the
risks, handle the stress, and control the vehicle. Above all, remember that
driving is a privilege, not a right.
— 7 —
GETTING STARTED IN GDL
Choosing a Driver Education Program
Driver education programs are provided by both public school districts
and private driving schools. When selecting a school, it is important to
consider the school’s reputation in the community, program cost and
any contract requirements. A list of driver education providers is on the
Department of State Web site at: Michigan.gov/TeenDriver.
Driver Training Schools — Teens with Special Needs
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Michigan Person with Disability
Civil Rights Act apply to driver education programs and services. There is
no distinction between public and private schools; they are both required
to work with teens with special needs. Students with disabilities who attend
driver education may be entitled to accommodations (including appropri-
ate auxiliary aids and services) at no cost, as long as their disabilities do not
prevent them from driving safely and unless providing such auxiliary aids
or services would fundamentally alter the nature of the program or result
in an undue burden. The Michigan Department of State encourages parents
and driver education providers to work together to provide an appropri-
ate accommodation to help meet the need of the student. For additional
information, contact the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Information Line
at 800-514-0301 (voice); 800-514-0383 (TTY); ADA.gov. Or contact the
Michigan Department of Civil Rights, 800-482-3604 (voice); 877-878-8464
(TTY).
— 8 —
BEGINNING DRIVER EDUCATION
Congratulations! Your daughter or son is 14 years, 8 months old and is
eligible to begin driver education. As a parent or legal guardian, your first
step begins by granting permission to your teen to enroll in a Segment 1
driver education course certified by the Michigan Department of State.
You have the right to postpone enrolling your teen in driver education if
you feel he or she is not ready to take on the responsibilities of learning to
drive. Segment 1 of driver education consists of a minimum of 24 hours
of classroom instruction, a minimum of six hours of behind-the-wheel
instruction and a minimum of four hours of observation time in a training
vehicle. Segment 1 is designed to prepare teens to acquire a Level 1 License.
Upon successful completion of Segment 1 and the Segment 1 Knowledge
Test, developed by the Department of State, a green driver education
Segment 1 Certificate of Completion will be issued to your teen. The Segment
1 Certificate of Completion is not a permit to drive and cannot be
treated as a driver’s license.
Segment 1
Driver Education
Requirements
n 14 years, 8 months of age
n Permission of parent/guardian
Availability
n Driver education providers who are certified to
teach teens
Minimum Course Content
n 24 hours of classroom instruction
n Six hours behind-the-wheel driving experience
n Four hours of observation time in a
training vehicle
Restrictions
n May drive only with driver education instructor
unless school issued limited parent driving permit
— 9 —
MICHIGAN DRIVER EDUCATION
A
This is to cerfy that:
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
First Middle Last
Date
Date of Birth:
DayMonth Year
Name of Provider
Driver Educaon Instructor Signature
Provider Owner/Ocial Signature
Has successfully completed Segment 1 of a driver educaon course in
compliance with PA 384 of 2006. The instrucon was provided by:
THIS IS NOT A DRIVER’S LICENSE. THE STUDENT MUST OBTAIN A LEVEL
1 LICENSE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE.
Driver Educaon Code
DES-001 (Rev. 02/19)
SEGMENT 1
1111111
You may want to request a final assessment of your son or daughter’s
driving skills after the instruction has been completed.
After completing Segment 1, your teen is ready to apply for a Level 1
License. Both you and your teen must go to a Secretary of State branch
office to apply for the Level 1 License.
Points to remember:
n Contact your teen’s school well in advance of when you wish your teen
to start GDL. Failure to apply in advance may delay enrollment until
the next session. Both public school districts and private driving schools
provide driver education courses.
n Your teen must be at least 14 years, 8 months to begin Segment 1 of
driver education.
n Obtain date, time and location for the Segment 1 driver education
course.
n
Obtain date for GDL Parent Orientation Meeting (if school offers one).
n Follow enrollment procedure for the school you choose.
n Notify the school if your teen has any physical or medical conditions
that might affect his or her classroom or driving instruction.
n Vision screening will be required prior to your teen’s approval to
begin the behind-the-wheel instruction as part of Segment 1 of the
driver education course.
n Obtain a vision screening from a health professional or contact the
school to see if one is provided.
n Obtain a certified copy of your teen’s birth certificate—hospital birth
certificates are not acceptable. Certified birth certificates are available
from the county clerk’s office of the county where your teen was born.
A Michigan state identification card or moped license will also be
accepted.
n Make plans to ensure your teen has safe transportation to
and from the Segment 1 driver education course.
n The Driver Education Segment 1 Certificate of Completion is not a permit
to drive and cannot be treated as a driver’s license.
(Not shown in actual color or size)
VOID
— 10 —
Level 1 Learner’s License
Requirements
n Must have a Certificate of Completion for Seg ment 1
n Must present proof of:
n A Social Security number or letter of ineligibility
n U.S. citizenship or legal presence
n Identity
n Michigan residency
n Parent/guardian signature required on application
n Pass vision screening required by Secretary of State
Availability
n Obtain
Level 1 License at a Secretary of State branch office - fee due
Restrictions
n May only drive with licensed parent/guardian or designated licensed
adult age 21 or older
n Parent/guardian or designated adult should sit in the front seat
n If driving with a designated adult, driver should carry a signed letter of
authorization from parent/guardian
n May not use a cell phone while driving (Kelsey’s Law)
PREPARING FOR THE LEVEL 1
LEARNER’S LICENSE
After your teen completes the Segment 1 driver education course and
before you and your teen begin the required 50 hours of supervised driving
time, you will need to go to the Secretary of State office to obtain the Level 1
Learner’s License. Many people prefer to obtain the Level 1 License as soon
as possible because GDL requires your teen to hold a Level 1 License for at
least six months from the date of issuance (found on the upper left corner of
the Level 1 License), before applying for a Level 2 License. However, it is at
the parent’s discretion as to when they will allow their teen to obtain their
Level 1 License.
Points to remember:
n Bring the following to a Secretary of State branch office when applying
for a Level 1 License:
– The green Certificate of Completion for Segment 1. The green
Certificate of Completion is not a driver’s license.
— 11 —
– Proof of your teen’s Social Security number, such as a Social Security
card, W-2 form or a pay stub, OR a letter of ineligibility from the
Social Security Administration.
– Proof of your teen’s U.S. citizenship or legal presence, such as a certi-
fied birth certificate or valid U.S. passport.
– Proof of your teen’s identity, such as a driver education certificate,
school record or yearbook.
– Proof of your teen’s Michigan residency, such as a high school report
card or bank statement. (Residency documents in a family member’s
name may be used if the family relationship can be established by other
forms of documented proof. For a list of all accepted Social Security,
identity, legal presence and residency documents, visit
Michigan.gov/TeenDriver.)
n As the parent or legal guardian, you will need to grant written permis-
sion on the Level 1 License application for your teen to obtain the
license.
n Obtain the following from the branch office staff:
– A
validated Level 1 License. A fee will be due.
– A copy of The Parents Supervised Driving Guide (SOS-191), which
includes a log for recording the required hours of supervised
driving with your teen.
– A copy of the Your Probationary License Brochure (SOS-215).
The Parents Supervised Driving Guide, Your Probationary License Brochure
and many other teen driver resources are also available at: Michigan.
gov/TeenDriver.
n After the Level 1 License is issued to your teen, you may cancel it at
any time if you believe your teen is not ready to drive under supervi-
sion. To cancel the Level 1 License, you will need to go to a Secretary of
State branch office, turn in the Level 1 License and sign a Driver License
Cancellation form. If the license is lost, stolen or unavailable, as a par-
ent, you must sign a certification stating the reason the license is not
available.
n Teens who have not been previously licensed will be placed on a mini-
mum three-year probationary period beginning when a Level 1 License
is issued. Probation is a separate program from GDL. Please see page 23
of this booklet for more information.
— 12 —
YOUR TEENAGER HAS A LEVEL 1
LICENSE: NOW WHAT?
The Level 1 License is a supervised learner’s license. It places the great-
est restrictions on your teen’s driving privileges during the time he or she
is beginning to acquire the fundamental skills necessary to be a compe-
tent and safe driver. With a Level 1 License, a teen may operate a motor
vehicle only when accompanied by a licensed parent or legal guardian or
any licensed driver 21 years of age or older designated by the parent or
legal guardian.
As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to make sure your teen
completes the required supervised driving with you or another licensed
adult driver before Segment 2 of driver education begins. If your teen is
driving with a designated licensed adult, your teen should carry a signed
letter of authorization from you.
Now is a good time to develop a Parent-Teen Safe Driving Contract
with your teen, setting the limits for acceptable and safe driving
behavior (see sample contract on the Secretary of State’s Web site at:
Michigan.gov/TeenDriver). By showing an interest in your teen’s
progress, asking positive questions and emphasizing the importance of
courtesy and good driving skills, you will help your teen become a safe
and responsible driver.
Points to remember:
n Contact your insurance agent to verify coverage with a Level 1 License.
n Help your teen develop the habit of always carrying his or her license
when driving.
n Prepare the driving log and record all supervised driving time. The The
Parent’s Supervised Driving Guide (SOS-191) provides a driving log for
your use. For information on how best to structure the behind-the-
wheel experience for your teen’s benefit, as well as your own, talk to
your teen’s driver education instructor and check the resource list at the
back of this booklet.
n Begin providing supervised driving time with your teen. Your teen must
complete a minimum of 30 hours of supervised driving, including a
minimum of two hours of nighttime driving before beginning Segment
2 of the driver education course. Your teen must possess a valid Level
1 License for not less than three continuous months prior to enrolling
in Segment 2. A good rule of thumb is to complete at least 10 hours
of supervised driving each month between Segment 1 and Segment 2.
— 13 —
n If you do not want your teen to advance to the next level of licensing,
he or she may continue to drive with a Level 1 License until age 18.
— 14 —
PREPARING FOR SEGMENT 2 OF
DRIVER EDUCATION
To enroll in Segment 2, your teen must have held a valid Level 1 License
for not less than three continuous months. The Department of State
requires that your teen must log at least 30 hours of supervised driving,
including two hours at night, with a licensed parent, guardian or desig-
nated licensed adult age 21 or older before entering Segment 2.
Points to remember:
n Your teen is still driving with their Level 1 Learners License when taking
the Segment 2 course, so they must be accompanied by a licensed par-
ent, licensed legal guardian or designated licensed adult age 21 or older
when driving to or from the course.
Segment 2
Driver Education
Requirements
n 30 hours minimum of supervised driving time
including a minimum of two hours night driving
n Held a valid Level 1 License for not less than three
continuous months
Availability
n Driver education providers who are certified to
teach teens
Minimum Course Content
n Six hours of classroom driver education instruction
— 15 —
n Obtain the following from the Segment 2 certified provider:
– A copy of the Driving Skills Test Study Guide (SOS-360), which includes
detailed information about the road test.
– A copy of a Parent-Teen Safe Driving Contract, to help you and your
teen communicate and agree on the responsibilities of the new driver
and the parent.
n Required 50 Hours of Supervised Driving Documentation. For a teen
to participate in a Segment 2 driver education course, a supervised
driving log must be presented to the Segment 2 driver education
instructor verifying at least 30 hours (including 2 hours of nighttime
driving) were completed with a licensed parent, legal guardian, or
licensed driver 21 years of age or older designated by the parent or
legal guardian before beginning the course. In addition, the log must be
presented to the Third Party Skills Test Examiner showing that at least
50 hours (including 10 hours of nighttime driving) were completed
with a licensed parent, guardian, or licensed driver 21 years of age or
older designated by the parent or legal guardian before beginning the
Driving Skills Test.
The Driving Skills Test Study Guide, Parent-Teen Safe Driving Contract,
and many other teen driver resources are also available at: Michigan.
gov/TeenDriver.
(Not shown in actual size)
VOID
MICHIGAN DRIVER EDUCATION
B
This is to cerfy that:
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
First Middle Last
Date
Date of Birth:
DayMonth Year
Name of Provider
Driver Educaon Instructor Signature
Provider Owner/Ocial Signature
Has successfully completed Segment 2 of a driver educaon course in
compliance with PA 384 of 2006. The instrucon was provided by:
THIS IS NOT A DRIVER’S LICENSE. THE STUDENT MUST POSSESS A DRIVER’S
LICENSE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE.
Driver Educaon Code
DES-002 (Rev. 02/19)
SEGMENT 2
2222222
— 16 —
GETTING READY FOR THE
DRIVING SKILLS TEST
Before your teen driver can apply to take the driving skills test, he or
she must have successfully completed Segment 2 of the driver education
course, received the white Segment 2 Certificate of Completion and logged
a minimum of 50 hours supervised driving which includes a minimum of
10 hours at night. Driving skills tests are provided by independent third-
party testing organizations approved by the Secretary of State’s office.
The driving skills test will consist of two parts—a basic control skills
test and an on-road driving test.
Points to remember:
n Review the Michigan Department of State’s Driving Skills Test Study
Guide (SOS-360) with your teen.
Driving Skills Tests
Requirements
n Completed Segment 2 of the driver education
course
n Completed a minimum 50 hours of supervised
driving, which includes a minimum of 10 hours
of night driving
n Has had a Level 1 License for a minimum of six
months
Availability
n Independent testing organization approved by
the Secretary of State
n Driving skills test fee required, varies with testing
organization
— 17 —
n Practice all required driving skills and maneuvers out-
lined in the Driving Skills Test Study Guide with your teen.
These skills are basic to becoming a competent driver. Failure to prac-
tice them can place your teen at a disadvantage at the driving skills test.
Practicing is not allowed on third-party testing sites.
n Contact an independent third-party testing organization to schedule a
date, time and location. Driving skills test fees vary; be sure to
ask about the cost. A list of third-party testing organizations is avail-
able at any Secretary of State branch office or on the department’s Web site
(Michigan.gov/TeenDriver). Your teen’s driver education instructor
may have additional information about third-party testing organizations
in your area.
n Make sure the vehicle your teen drives during the driving skills test is safe
and that your teen is familiar with its operation. If the vehicle does not
meet the equipment and safety standards as described in the Driving Skills
Test Study Guide, it cannot be used for the driving skills test.
n Provide the driving skills test examiner with the following documents:
– The white Segment 2 Certificate of Completion.
– The Level 1 License.
– Valid vehicle registration for the vehicle your teen will use during the
skills test.
– Proof of insurance certificate for the vehicle your teen will use during
the skills test.
– Driving log showing 50 hours of driving, including at least 10 hours at
night.
n Be sure to allow at least one hour for the driving skills
test. You, as a parent or legal guardian, will be required to ride in the
vehicle during the road test portion of the basic skills test. No addi-
tional passengers are allowed.
n A parent or legal guardian must sign a certification that the applicant
has completed the required minimum 50 hours of behind-the-wheel
driving experience.
n When your teen passes the driving skills test, he or she will receive a
Driver Skills Test Certificate.
n If your teen fails to pass the driving skills test:
– You will receive a test review explaining the reasons for failure.
– You will need to obtain information about retesting.
– Review the Driving Skills Test Study Guide with your teen.
– Continue to supervise your teen’s driving, emphasizing the correct
driving skills and stressing those that were not passed during the
driving skills test.
– A retesting fee will be required. These fees will vary by testing
organization.
— 18 —
THE LEVEL 2 INTERMEDIATE LICENSE
Level 2 Intermediate License
Requirements
n Teen is at least 16 years old
n Meet physical and medical licensing standards
n Possessed a Level 1 License for six months
n Completed Segment 1 and 2 of an approved driver education pro-
gram
n Passed a driving skills test and presented a skills test certificate
n Must present proof of legal presence. (Proof of a Social Security num-
ber, identity and Michigan residency will also be required if it was not
provided at Level 1.)
n Completed a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving time, includ-
ing 10 hours at night
n Must be violation and suspension free, and have no at-fault crashes
during the 90 days prior to applying for the Level 2 License
n Have a parent or legal guardian sign the application and certify the mini-
mum 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience
Availability
n Obtain Level 2 License at a Secretary of State branch office (no fee
required)
Restrictions
n Prohibited from using a cell phone while driving
n Shall not operate a motor vehicle between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. except
when: driving to or from or in the course of employment; driving to or
from an authorized activity; or accompanied by a parent or legal guard-
ian or a licensed driver 21 years of age or older designated by the parent
or legal guardian.
n Shall not operate a motor vehicle at any time with more than 1 passenger
in the vehicle who is less than 21 years of age except: when the additional
passengers are immediate family members; when driving to or from or in
the course of employment; while going to or from an authorized activity;
or when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or a licensed driver 21
years of age or older designated by the parent or legal guardian.
Parent Option
n Parent/guardian has the option of requesting in writing that the teen
driver remain at Level 2 and not automatically advance to Level 3 at
age 17. Request must be made at least 30 days before teen’s 17th
birthday.
— 19 —
Parent/Teen Contract
Now is a good time to develop a Parent-Teen Safe Driving Contract
with your teen, setting the limits for acceptable and safe driving behavior.
A sample contract is available at: Michigan.gov/TeenDriver.
By showing an interest in your teen’s progress, asking positive questions
and emphasizing the importance of courtesy and good driving skills, you
will help your teen become a safe and responsible driver.
Authorized activity means any of the following:
a) A school or a school-sanctioned event or activity. School means a
public or private school, including a home school.
b) A sporting event or activity, or extracurricular event or activity, that is
not school-sanctioned but that is part of an official sports league or asso-
ciation or an official extracurricular club, or that is paid for as a service.
c) A class or program of vocational instruction offered by a college,
community college, nonprofit association, or unit of government or
by a business specializing in vocational training.
d) An event or activity sponsored by a religious organization that is
tax-exempt under federal law.
e) Transporting an individual in need of immediate emergency care or
personal protection to a health care professional, hospital, police sta-
tion, domestic violence shelter, or public safety location.
Points to remember:
n To obtain a Level 2 License your teen must:
– Be at least 16 years old.
– Have parental permission.
– Have completed Segment 1 and Segment 2 of the driver education
course.
– Have completed a minimum of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel experi-
ence, of which at least 10 hours must include driving at night.
– Have held a Level 1 License for at least six months.
– Be violation and suspension free, and have no at-fault crashes during
the 90 days prior to applying for a Level 2 License.
n Bring the following to the Secretary of State branch office when apply-
ing for the Level 2 License:
– The Level 1 License.
– The Segment 2 Certificate of Completion.
– The Driving Skills Test Certificate.
– Provide the following: a) Social Security card, b) original or certified
copy of birth certificate or legal presence documentation, c) identity
verification and d) two items of Michigan residency. Visit Michigan.
gov/TeenDriver for the list of acceptable documentation.
— 20 —
Parent’s Authority to Cancel or Restrict License
When your teen applies for a Level 2 License, you have the choice of
allowing your teen to automatically advance to a Level 3 License when
he or she is eligible or delaying the Level 3 License until you decide your
teen is ready to have full driving privileges with no restrictions.
If you do not want your teen to automatically advance to a Level
3 License, you must complete the Parent/Guardian Request to Continue
Minor’s Level 2 Intermediate License form. This form (BFS-146) is avail-
able at your local Secretary of State branch office or at Michigan.gov/
TeenDriver. This form was included with the information you received
at the time you and your teen applied for the Level 2 License at the
Secretary of State branch office. This form must be completed and
mailed 30 days before your teen’s 17th birthday. Your teen will
continue to drive under the Level 2 restrictions until you decide your teen
is ready for a Level 3 License or until your teen turns 18 years old. GDL
ends for teens when they turn 18.
Once the Level 2 License is issued, you may decide to restrict it to a
Level 1 License. You may also cancel the Level 2 License if you believe
your teen is not ready for it. You will need to go to a Secretary of State
branch office, surrender your teen’s license and sign a form to restrict or
cancel it.
Once you restrict or cancel a license, you may reinstate it or lift the
restrictions. To do so, you will need to go to a Secretary of State branch
office and process a new application. You will be required to pay a fee and
your teen’s
photograph
will need to
be retaken.
(Not shown in actual colors)
— 21 —
THE FINAL STAGE—GAINING FULL
DRIVING PRIVILEGES AT LEVEL 3
Although the Level 3 License carries no state-imposed restrictions, you
may continue to place limits you feel necessary on your teen’s driv-
ing privileges. Your teen is eligible for a Level 3 License if he or she is at
least 17 years old, has held a Level 2 License for at least six months and
has been crash- and violation-free during the prior 12 months.
You do not have to go to a Secretary of State branch office to obtain a
Level 3 License. Your teen will automatically progress to a Level 3 License
when he or she meets the Level 3 criteria shown above. The Level 3
License will be mailed to your teen’s address on file with the Secretary of
State.
Level 3 License
Requirements
n Teen is at least 17 years old
n Held Level 2 License for six months
n Must be violation- and suspension-free, and
have no at-fault crashes for 12 consecutive
months prior to applying for the Level 3 License
Availability
n With parent/guardian approval at Level 2, the
Level 3 License is automatically mailed to teen
n If approval was not given, parent/guardian and
teen must go to a Secretary of State branch office
Restrictions
n No fee is required
n No state-imposed license restrictions
n Parent or guardian may restrict or cancel the
license
— 22 —
Once the Level 3 License is issued, you may decide to
restrict it to a Level 2 or Level 1 License. You may also cancel
the Level 3 License if you believe your teen is not ready for
restricted or unrestricted driving privileges. You will need to
go to a Secretary of State branch office, surrender your teen’s
license and sign a form to restrict or cancel it.
Points to remember:
n Discuss your Parent-Teen Safe Driving Contract with your teen. You have
the right to restrict your teen’s driving activities when necessary.
n Your teen will automatically advance to a Level 3 License unless you
inform the Secretary of State otherwise.
n You may restrict or cancel your teen’s Level 3 License.
n GDL ends for teens when they turn 18, no matter what licensing level
they have achieved.
n Teens exiting GDL may still be subject to probationary requirements.
Probation does not automatically end at age 18. (See A Word About the
Michigan Department of State Probationary License Program, page 23).
(Not shown in actual colors)
— 23 —
PROBATION:
A Word About the Michigan Department of State
Probationary License Program
All newly licensed first-time drivers in Michigan are placed on proba-
tion for at least three years. The probationary licensing program is a way
for the Secretary of State to monitor their driving performance. Probation
and GDL are independent programs that work together to control a teen’s
driving risk.
Teen drivers under probation with tickets or crashes on their records
may face personal reviews called driver assessment reexaminations. These
reexaminations may cause a teen’s license to be restricted, suspended or
both. Should this occur, a teen’s advancement to the next level of GDL
will be delayed.
During the last 10 months of probation, tickets, at-fault crashes or
license suspensions will extend the probationary period until the driver can
complete 10 months of consecutive, violation-free driving.
Young drivers with unsatisfactory driving records will continue to be
under probation until they prove themselves safe and competent drivers,
even if they are no longer in GDL.
WHAT ARE ZERO TOLERANCE AND
MINOR IN POSSESSION LAWS?
Zero Tolerance
Under the Zero Tolerance law, teens are at risk of losing their license if
they consume alcohol. The consequences for breaking the Zero Tolerance
law are tough. Penalties for a first offense include:
n Up to a $250 fine and/or up to 360 hours of community service
n Driver’s license is restricted for 30 days
n Four points on the teen’s driving record
n Payment of a $500 Driver Responsibility Fee for two years
Penalties for the second and subsequent violations will be significantly
more severe. Additionally, there will be attorney fees to pay and automo-
bile insurance premiums may increase.
— 24 —
Please note that a teen driver’s Zero Tolerance conviction may also
count as an alcohol offense under Michigan’s Repeat Offender laws. One
Zero Tolerance conviction is a misdemeanor carrying a 30-day driver’s
license restriction. Two Zero Tolerance convictions not in combination
with any other alcohol offenses result in a 90-day driver’s license suspen-
sion. A Zero Tolerance conviction in combination with another alcohol
offense within seven years, or in combination with two other alcohol
offenses within 10 years, can result in a driver’s license revocation with no
hardship appeal. For more information about the Repeat Offender laws,
visit the Secretary of State’s Web site at Michigan.gov/SOS.
Minor in Possession
Teens and parents should also be aware that it is illegal for a teen to
simply possess an alcoholic beverage. The beverage need not be opened to
cause a minor to lose his or her driving privileges. Even an unopened con-
tainer of alcohol found in a motor vehicle operated by a teen can result in
a license suspension – even if the teen does not know it is there. Penalties
for violating the Minor in Possession law include:
n First offense - $100 fine, no action taken against the driver’s license
n Second offense - $200 fine, driver’s license is suspended for 30 days and
restricted for 60 days
n Third offense - $500 fine, driver’s license is suspended for 60 days and
restricted for 305 days
n Community service may be required
n Alcohol screening may be required
— 25 —
SOS-383 (revised 6/2019)
PA387 of 1996; 100,000; $12,900; $0.13 each
An alternative format of this printed material may
be obtained by contacting the Department of State
at (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424).