Michigan DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the Michigan driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the Michigan-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official Michigan driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real Michigan test has 50 questions and you need 40 correct (80%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes Michigan-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

Michigan Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	50 questions, must score 40/50 (80%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	14 years 9 months
Minimum License Age	16
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 70 mph \| Residential: 25 mph \| School Zone: 15 mph
OWI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.02%)
Point System	Points stay on your record for two years. 12 or more points (or six 1-point violations) within two years requires a driver assessment reexamination.

Rules Specific to Michigan

Michigan uses the term OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) and has a Super Drunk law at BAC of 0.17+
Michigan is a no-fault insurance state — each driver's own insurance covers their injuries regardless of fault
Michigan's written test has 50 questions — one of the longest in the nation

Sample Michigan Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to Michigan. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

What is the per se BAC limit for most adult (21+) drivers?
- A. 0.05%
- B. 0.08%
- C. 0.10%
- D. 0.17%
Answer: 0.08%. At or above this BAC, a driver can be charged based on alcohol level alone. Impairment can still be charged at lower BACs.
Michigan’s under-21 “zero tolerance” threshold begins at what BAC level?
- A. 0.00%
- B. 0.01%
- C. 0.02%
- D. 0.08%
Answer: 0.02%. Under-21 drivers face alcohol-related driving consequences at very low BAC levels. The safest choice is not to drive after drinking at all.
Which statement best matches Michigan’s child passenger restraint requirement often summarized by age/height thresholds?
- A. A seat belt alone is fine once a child turns 6
- B. A child should use a child restraint until age 8 or 4'9", whichever comes first
- C. A booster is required until age 12 regardless of height
- D. A child restraint is only required for children under age 4
Answer: A child should use a child restraint until age 8 or 4'9", whichever comes first. Children should be restrained using an appropriate car seat or booster until they meet the minimum threshold for using a seat belt alone. Always follow car-seat manufacturer limits.
Unless posted otherwise, what is the typical default speed limit on many non-freeway roads in Michigan?
- A. 45 mph
- B. 55 mph
- C. 65 mph
- D. 70 mph
Answer: 55 mph. Michigan uses a common default speed limit on many roads outside specific lower-speed areas. Watch for posted limits that override the default.
Under Michigan law, parking is prohibited within what distance of a fire hydrant?
- A. Within 5 feet
- B. Within 10 feet
- C. Within 15 feet
- D. Within 20 feet
Answer: Within 15 feet. This helps keep hydrants accessible for firefighters. Local signs may require additional clearance in some areas.
How old must you be to apply for a Michigan GDL Level 1 Learner's License?
- A. 14 years, 6 months
- B. 14 years, 9 months
- C. 15 years
- D. 15 years, 6 months
Answer: 14 years, 9 months. You must be at least 14 years, 9 months old, have completed Segment 1 of driver education, and apply with a parent or legal guardian.
What does Michigan driver education Segment 1 require?
- A. 10 hours classroom and 2 hours driving
- B. 24 hours classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel, and 4 hours of observation
- C. 30 hours classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel
- D. No classroom time, 20 hours of driving
Answer: 24 hours classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel, and 4 hours of observation. Segment 1 requires at least 24 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours behind the wheel, 4 hours of observation, and at least 70% on the Segment 1 exam.
Before starting Michigan driver education Segment 2, how much supervised driving must you log?
- A. 10 hours, 1 at night
- B. 20 hours, 2 at night
- C. 30 hours, 2 at night
- D. 50 hours, 10 at night
Answer: 30 hours, 2 at night. Segment 2 requires a log of at least 30 hours of supervised driving, including 2 at night, and at least three months holding a Level 1 license.
How much supervised driving must a Michigan teen log before taking the driving skills test?
- A. 30 hours, 5 at night
- B. 40 hours, 10 at night
- C. 50 hours, 10 at night
- D. 60 hours, 15 at night
Answer: 50 hours, 10 at night. You need at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night, before the driving skills test.
How long must you hold a Michigan Level 1 Learner's License before taking the driving skills test?
- A. 3 months
- B. 6 months
- C. 9 months
- D. 12 months
Answer: 6 months. You must hold the Level 1 license for at least six months and be at least 15.
What minimum score must you get on the Michigan Segment 1 and Segment 2 state exams?
- A. 60 percent
- B. 70 percent
- C. 75 percent
- D. 80 percent
Answer: 70 percent. Both the Segment 1 and Segment 2 state exams require at least 70 percent.
A Michigan Level 2 Intermediate License holder may not drive between which hours, unless accompanied or driving for work or an authorized activity?
- A. 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- B. 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- C. 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- D. Midnight and 6 a.m.
Answer: 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.. Level 2 drivers can't drive from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless a parent, guardian, or designated licensed adult 21+ is with them, or they're going to or from work or an authorized activity.
What does Michigan's Kelsey's Law prohibit?
- A. Teens driving after 10 p.m.
- B. Level 1 and Level 2 drivers using a cell phone while driving
- C. Passengers under 21
- D. Driving without a seat belt
Answer: Level 1 and Level 2 drivers using a cell phone while driving. Kelsey's Law bans cell phone use by teens holding a Level 1 or Level 2 license while driving.
Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit on Michigan streets and highways that are not freeways?
- A. 45 mph
- B. 50 mph
- C. 55 mph
- D. 65 mph
Answer: 55 mph. The general limit is 55 mph on non-freeway streets and highways. Freeways allow up to 70 mph unless posted otherwise.
What is the speed limit in a Michigan platted subdivision or condominium complex?
- A. 15 mph
- B. 20 mph
- C. 25 mph
- D. 30 mph
Answer: 25 mph. Platted subdivisions and condominium complexes are 25 mph. Mobile home parks and some municipal parks are 15 mph.
What is a Michigan Left?
- A. A left turn from the right lane
- B. An indirect left turn: go straight or turn right, then make a U-turn at a median crossover
- C. A left turn on red from a two-way street
- D. A left turn across two lanes at once
Answer: An indirect left turn: go straight or turn right, then make a U-turn at a median crossover. At Michigan Left intersections you can't turn left directly. You go straight or turn right, then U-turn at a median crossover.
When a school bus has its red overhead lights flashing in Michigan, how far away must you stop?
- A. At least 10 feet
- B. At least 15 feet
- C. At least 20 feet
- D. At least 50 feet
Answer: At least 20 feet. Stop at least 20 feet from the bus and stay stopped until the red lights go off or the bus moves.
When do you not need to stop for a Michigan school bus with flashing red lights?
- A. When no children are visible
- B. When it's on the other side of a highway divided by a barrier such as a concrete or grass median
- C. When you're behind it
- D. On any four-lane road
Answer: When it's on the other side of a highway divided by a barrier such as a concrete or grass median. You don't have to stop for a bus on the other side of a highway divided by a barrier, such as a concrete or grass median or an island.
If a train is coming, where must Michigan drivers stop at a railroad crossing?
- A. Right at the tracks
- B. No more than 50 feet and no less than 15 feet from the tracks
- C. At least 100 feet back
- D. Wherever the crossbuck sign is
Answer: No more than 50 feet and no less than 15 feet from the tracks. Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks. Trains overhang the rails by at least three feet on each side.
In Michigan, you may never park within how many feet of a fire or crash scene?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 500 feet
- D. 1,000 feet
Answer: 500 feet. Michigan's no-parking laws bar parking within 500 feet of a fire or a crash.
When must Michigan drivers use headlights?
- A. Only after dark
- B. From sunset to sunrise and any time you can't see people and vehicles clearly at 500 feet
- C. Only in rain
- D. Only on freeways
Answer: From sunset to sunrise and any time you can't see people and vehicles clearly at 500 feet. Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise, when visibility is reduced, and whenever there isn't enough daylight to see clearly at 500 feet.
What must Michigan drivers do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on?
- A. Slow down at least 10 mph below the posted limit and move over a lane if possible
- B. Slow to 20 mph
- C. Stop until it leaves
- D. Honk and continue
Answer: Slow down at least 10 mph below the posted limit and move over a lane if possible. Slow to at least 10 mph below the limit and move over a lane when traffic and conditions allow.
What following distance does Michigan's driver manual require?
- A. 2 seconds
- B. 3 to 4 seconds
- C. 5 seconds
- D. 1 car length per 10 mph
Answer: 3 to 4 seconds. A 3- to 4-second following distance is required, with more in bad weather.
How much space must you leave when passing a bicyclist in Michigan?
- A. At least 2 feet
- B. At least 3 feet
- C. At least 5 feet
- D. One lane width
Answer: At least 3 feet. Michigan law requires at least 3 feet between your vehicle and a bicyclist when passing.
How many points does a Michigan driver get for driving 16 mph or more over the speed limit?
- A. 2
- B. 3
- C. 4
- D. 6
Answer: 4. 16+ mph over the limit is 4 points. 11 to 15 mph over is 3 points.
What happens if a Michigan driver has 12 or more points within two years?
- A. Automatic license revocation
- B. A required driver assessment reexamination
- C. Nothing until 18 points
- D. A $500 fine
Answer: A required driver assessment reexamination. Six or more one-point violations, or 12+ points in two years, requires a driver assessment reexamination. Points stay on your record for two years.
When must you notify police after a crash in Michigan?
- A. Only if someone is hurt
- B. If there are injuries or property damage over $1,000
- C. Only if damage exceeds $2,500
- D. Never, if both drivers agree
Answer: If there are injuries or property damage over $1,000. Notify police if anyone is injured or property damage exceeds $1,000, and exchange information with the other drivers.

Michigan Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the Michigan permit test?

The Michigan knowledge test has 50 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 40 correct answers (80%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Michigan?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in Michigan is 14 years 9 months. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Michigan?

Michigan calls impaired driving OWI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.

How does the Michigan driver point system work?

Points stay on your record for two years. 12 or more points (or six 1-point violations) within two years requires a driver assessment reexamination.

What are the default speed limits in Michigan?

Typical limits in Michigan are up to 70 mph on highways, 25 mph in residential areas and 15 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official Michigan government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the What Every Driver Must Know (Michigan SOS) on September 24, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current Michigan driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Michigan government agency.