Before Michigan will license you, you must live here and prove you are legally present. New residents can keep using their old license for a while, but Michigan pulls in your driving history from your old state.
Know the rule
To be a Michigan resident you must reside in Michigan and have established legal presence. The Secretary of State cannot issue an original license or state ID to anyone who is not a legal Michigan resident.
Handbook p. 15 ↗Know the rule
New residents must immediately title and register their vehicle at a Secretary of State office. You may use your out-of-state license or ID until your Michigan residency is established.
Handbook p. 15 ↗Know the rule
Michigan obtains your driving record from your previous state and adds it to your Michigan record. When your Michigan application is accepted, your out-of-state license is invalidated and returned to you — you may hold only one valid license at a time.
Handbook p. 15 ↗You will NOT be issued a Michigan license if BOTH are true:
- You have never been issued a driver's license by any state or country, AND
- You have two or more moving-violation convictions within three years of your application date
Most convictions allowed on your record within 3 years of applying
Handbook p. 15 ↗Michigan license types
| Type | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Operator's | The basic Michigan driver's license |
| Chauffeur's | Age 16+; employed to drive 10,000+ lb GVWR, buses, carriers |
| Commercial (CDL) | 26,001+ lb GVWR, 16+ people, or placarded hazmat |
| Enhanced | Land/sea re-entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Caribbean |
| Graduated (GDL) | Level 1, 2 and 3 licenses for teens under 18 |
| Moped | Unlicensed teens 15+ with parental approval may apply |
Know the rule
A chauffeur's license requires passing the written chauffeur's test. Depending on vehicle type or GVWR, a CDL may also be required.
Handbook p. 16 ↗CDL rules:
- Also required to tow 10,001+ lb GVWR when the combination (GCWR) is 26,001+ lb
- You must be at least 18 and suspension-free for 36 months before applying
- Drivers ages 18–21 may operate a commercial vehicle only within Michigan
- You must be 21+ to cross state lines or haul hazardous materials that require placards
- Groups A, B, C and endorsements T, P, N, H, X, S depend on the vehicle
- Written knowledge tests and road tests are required
Know the rule
A valid operator's or chauffeur's license may be used to ride a moped. You can't get a moped license if your license is suspended, revoked or denied. Moped applicants take vision, written knowledge and traffic sign tests.
Handbook p. 16 ↗Endorsements:
- Motorcycle (CY): rider education course, or written test plus motorcycle skills test
- Rider education course required for ages 16–17 and adults who fail the skills test twice
- CY 3W restriction: three-wheeled motorcycles only (3-wheel course or tests)
- Recreational Double 'R': pickup pulling a fifth-wheel RV trailer plus a second trailer
- Farmer: lets farming operations move equipment, livestock and produce
Enhanced driver's license
Lets you re-enter the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean without other identity documents. Enhanced licenses and IDs are also REAL ID compliant.
Handbook p. 16 ↗Put it into practice
You move from Ohio with a valid Ohio license. You can keep driving on it until your Michigan residency is established, then apply at a Secretary of State office. Once Michigan accepts your application, your Ohio license is invalidated and handed back to you.