The Michigan road test
A plain-language guide, checked against the Michigan Secretary of State (MI SOS (third-party administered)): who the test is for, what to bring, how it is scored, and what a retake really costs.
The rule that decides your path
The Michigan road test, also called the behind-the-wheel or driving skills test, is the final exam the MI SOS (third-party administered) gives before it issues a driver's license. New drivers can take the Michigan driving test at 16, after logging 50 hours of supervised driving. The drive includes parallel parking.
Michigan sets a specific pre-license education step every new driver has to clear. Minors must be at least 15, come with a parent or guardian, and have a clean record for 90 days before the skills test.
Below you'll find the full Michigan road test requirements: who qualifies, what to bring, how examiners score the drive, and the retake rules if you don't pass the first time. On our Driving Index, Michigan's written knowledge test ranks tied for 32nd-hardest of 51.
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Supervised hours before the Michigan road test
These are hours you spend driving with a licensed adult, usually a parent, before you can take the test. Keep a log as you go, on paper or in an app, because the state can ask to see it. Practice in a mix of conditions, day and night, highways and quiet streets, rain and clear weather, and get the night hours in early, since those are the ones most people leave to the last minute.
What to bring to the Michigan road test
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Documents
Your vehicle must have
Who comes with you. For a minor, a parent, guardian, or authorized representative must be present throughout. During the test, only you, the examiner, and a required passenger or interpreter may be in the car.
If you fail the Michigan road test
Here's how a retake works in Michigan: 24 hours, one attempt per 24 hours, unless the vehicle or paperwork was the problem. Not published, since the third-party business sets its own fee.
Beyond any fee, a retry usually means another day off work or school, another ride to the office, and another car to borrow, so failing costs far more than it looks on paper.
Passing on the first try is the cheapest way through. A first license runs $25 for a standard first-time operator license (the Temporary Instruction Permit is also $25).
How the Michigan road test is scored
Point-based. You fail the on-road segment at 26 or more points, and Basic Control allows no more than 6 errors.
Mistakes that end the test right away
Do any of these and the examiner stops the drive, no matter how well the rest went.
- Disregarding instructions or refusal to perform instructed maneuver.
- Repeated failure to follow instructions (warning then auto fail if same instruction failed twice).
- Offering the examiner a bribe or gratuity.
- Refusal to wear a safety belt (unless physician's waiver).
- Any accident (may result in failure).
- Hazardous actions: accident prevented by others.
- Hazardous actions: examiner prevents crash or illegal action (e.g., running a red light).
- Hazardous actions: driving over curb or sidewalk, endangering others.
- Hazardous actions: driver creates serious hazard for other traffic.
- Hazardous actions: fails to yield (adversely affecting traffic/pedestrians).
- Traffic violation: fails to yield to a funeral procession.
- Traffic violation: passes a stopped school bus with red lights flashing.
- Traffic violation: fails to take proper action for a stationary/moving emergency vehicle or road service vehicle.
- Traffic violation: turns left/right on red when prohibited.
- Traffic violation: makes a turn from the wrong lane.
- Traffic violation: passes improperly.
- Traffic violation: drives wrong way on a one-way street.
- Traffic violation: drives on the wrong side of the street.
- Traffic violation: fails to stop for red light, flashing red, or stop sign.
- Traffic violation: fails to stop for railroad signal or drives around gates.
- Traffic violation: speeds 4-9 mph over limit after one warning.
- Traffic violation: speeds 10+ mph over limit (no warning needed).
- Traffic violation: follows too closely (after one warning).
- Dangerously inexperienced: can't maintain minimum expressway speed.
- Dangerously inexperienced: drives 10+ mph under limit after one warning.
- Dangerously inexperienced: can't shift a manual transmission properly.
- Dangerously inexperienced: can't determine proper gear (automatic).
- Dangerously inexperienced: stalls causing hazard/obstruction.
- Dangerously inexperienced: loses control requiring examiner evasive action/takeover.
Before the road test
Pass the Michigan written test on your first try
Nearby road-test guides.
Six more states, neighbours first, then the closest matches on test difficulty.
Test specifications, fees and laws change. This guide was last verified July 2026; always confirm current requirements with the MI SOS (third-party administered) (www.michigan.gov) before booking a test. DMV IQ is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with any state DMV, DPS, MVD, or BMV.
Spot an error? Email [email protected] and we'll get it corrected.
Sources for this guide (2 official MI SOS (third-party administered) pages)
- Eligibility: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/01preston/Driving-Skills-Test-Study-Guide.pdf
- What to bring: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/01preston/Driving-Skills-Test-Study-Guide.pdf
- Test format: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/01preston/Driving-Skills-Test-Study-Guide.pdf
- Scoring: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/01preston/Driving-Skills-Test-Study-Guide.pdf
- Retakes: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/01preston/Driving-Skills-Test-Study-Guide.pdf
- Fees: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/all-services/first-time-license-or-id
- Handbook (rev. 03/2021): https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/01preston/Driving-Skills-Test-Study-Guide.pdf
Current as of 2026-07-16. Official Michigan sources only; anything the state does not publish is left out rather than guessed.