What Every Driver Must Know Chapter 1:
Your Driver's License
that you are legally present in the state to be considered a Michigan resident.
Under state law, Correct answers the Secretary of State cannot issue an
original driver's license or state identification card to anyone who is not a
legal Michigan resident.
New Michigan residents Correct answers If you are a new Michigan resident,
you must immediately title and register your vehicle at a Secretary of State
office. You will turn in the vehicle's title or proof of ownership from your
previous home state. If you have a driver's license or state identification
card from another state, you may use it until your Michigan residency is
established. Once residency is established, visit a Secretary of State office
to apply for a Michigan driver's license or state ID card.
If your out-of-state driver's license is suspended or revoked, Correct answers
you must contact your previous state to clear any outstanding issues before
your application for a Michigan license will be accepted.
You will not be issued a Michigan license if: Correct answers • You have
never been issued a driver's license by any state or country, AND
•You have two or more convictions for moving violations on your driving
record within three years of the date that you apply for a license.
Operator's license Correct answers Basic Michigan driver's license.
Chauffeur's license Correct answers You must be at least age 16. A
chauffeur's license is required if you are employed for the principal purpose
of operating a motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of
10,000 pounds or more, operating a motor vehicle as a carrier of passengers
or as a common or contract carrier of property, or operating a bus or a
school bus.
Commercial Driver License Correct answers Required if you are operating a
single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds
or more, operating a combination vehicle (towing a trailer or other vehicles
with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more when the Gross Combination Weight
Rating (GCWR)is 26,001 pounds or more, operating a vehicle designed to
transport 16 or more people (including the driver), or carrying hazardous
materials in amounts requiring placarding.
, Before you can operate commercial motor vehicles, Correct answers you
must be at least age 18, have been suspension free for 36 months before
the date of application and have the appropriate Michigan CDL group
designation on your driver's license.
Enhanced driver's license Correct answers Allows you to re-enter the United
States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean
without the
need to present any additional identity documents. Enhanced licenses and
state IDs are also REAL ID compliant.
Graduated Driver License Correct answers Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3
licenses are issued as part of Michigan's driver education program for
teens under age 18.
Moped license Correct answers A valid operator or chauffeur's license may
be used to operate a moped on Michigan roads. You are not eligible for a
moped license if your operator or chauffeur's license is suspended, revoked
or denied. Unlicensed teens age 15 or older with parental approval may
apply for a moped license at a Secretary of State office. Vision, written
knowledge and traffic sign tests will be given.
Motorcycle endorsement Correct answers Amotorcycleendorsement (CY) is
required to operate a motorcycle on Michigan roads. Successful completion
of a motorcycle rider education course or the written knowledge test and
motorcycle skills test is required. A motorcycle rider education course is
required for teens ages 16-17 and for adults who fail the motorcycle skills
test twice.
Recreational double "R" endorsement Correct answers Required for a
pickup truck pulling a fifth-wheel trailer designed for recreational living
purposes, with a second trailer attached to the rear of the fifth-wheel
trailer. A knowledge test is required.
Farmer endorsement Correct answers A specialized endorsement used by
farming operations to move equipment, livestock and produce. A general
knowledge test and a combination vehicles' test may be required.
Applying for a REAL ID-compliant card is optional. You may not need a
REAL ID- compliant license or ID if you: Correct answers • Do not fly and
do not plan to enter certain federal facilities, military bases and nuclear
power plants.
•Have an acceptable alternative to a state-issued REAL ID-compliant
driver's license or ID card, such as a valid U.S. passport.
If you have moved to Michigan from another state or country, Correct
answers you should apply for a Michigan license as soon as you have
established residency.
You will need to bring the following documents to a Secretary of State
office. Correct answers • Proof of a Social Security number.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence.
• Proof of your identity.
Your Driver's License
that you are legally present in the state to be considered a Michigan resident.
Under state law, Correct answers the Secretary of State cannot issue an
original driver's license or state identification card to anyone who is not a
legal Michigan resident.
New Michigan residents Correct answers If you are a new Michigan resident,
you must immediately title and register your vehicle at a Secretary of State
office. You will turn in the vehicle's title or proof of ownership from your
previous home state. If you have a driver's license or state identification
card from another state, you may use it until your Michigan residency is
established. Once residency is established, visit a Secretary of State office
to apply for a Michigan driver's license or state ID card.
If your out-of-state driver's license is suspended or revoked, Correct answers
you must contact your previous state to clear any outstanding issues before
your application for a Michigan license will be accepted.
You will not be issued a Michigan license if: Correct answers • You have
never been issued a driver's license by any state or country, AND
•You have two or more convictions for moving violations on your driving
record within three years of the date that you apply for a license.
Operator's license Correct answers Basic Michigan driver's license.
Chauffeur's license Correct answers You must be at least age 16. A
chauffeur's license is required if you are employed for the principal purpose
of operating a motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of
10,000 pounds or more, operating a motor vehicle as a carrier of passengers
or as a common or contract carrier of property, or operating a bus or a
school bus.
Commercial Driver License Correct answers Required if you are operating a
single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds
or more, operating a combination vehicle (towing a trailer or other vehicles
with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more when the Gross Combination Weight
Rating (GCWR)is 26,001 pounds or more, operating a vehicle designed to
transport 16 or more people (including the driver), or carrying hazardous
materials in amounts requiring placarding.
, Before you can operate commercial motor vehicles, Correct answers you
must be at least age 18, have been suspension free for 36 months before
the date of application and have the appropriate Michigan CDL group
designation on your driver's license.
Enhanced driver's license Correct answers Allows you to re-enter the United
States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean
without the
need to present any additional identity documents. Enhanced licenses and
state IDs are also REAL ID compliant.
Graduated Driver License Correct answers Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3
licenses are issued as part of Michigan's driver education program for
teens under age 18.
Moped license Correct answers A valid operator or chauffeur's license may
be used to operate a moped on Michigan roads. You are not eligible for a
moped license if your operator or chauffeur's license is suspended, revoked
or denied. Unlicensed teens age 15 or older with parental approval may
apply for a moped license at a Secretary of State office. Vision, written
knowledge and traffic sign tests will be given.
Motorcycle endorsement Correct answers Amotorcycleendorsement (CY) is
required to operate a motorcycle on Michigan roads. Successful completion
of a motorcycle rider education course or the written knowledge test and
motorcycle skills test is required. A motorcycle rider education course is
required for teens ages 16-17 and for adults who fail the motorcycle skills
test twice.
Recreational double "R" endorsement Correct answers Required for a
pickup truck pulling a fifth-wheel trailer designed for recreational living
purposes, with a second trailer attached to the rear of the fifth-wheel
trailer. A knowledge test is required.
Farmer endorsement Correct answers A specialized endorsement used by
farming operations to move equipment, livestock and produce. A general
knowledge test and a combination vehicles' test may be required.
Applying for a REAL ID-compliant card is optional. You may not need a
REAL ID- compliant license or ID if you: Correct answers • Do not fly and
do not plan to enter certain federal facilities, military bases and nuclear
power plants.
•Have an acceptable alternative to a state-issued REAL ID-compliant
driver's license or ID card, such as a valid U.S. passport.
If you have moved to Michigan from another state or country, Correct
answers you should apply for a Michigan license as soon as you have
established residency.
You will need to bring the following documents to a Secretary of State
office. Correct answers • Proof of a Social Security number.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence.
• Proof of your identity.
