Michigan Permit Test PDF: SOS Practice Questions & Answers (2026)
Reviewed by Chad HenryAfter 25 years of teaching driver education
Michigan's test is really two tests
The Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) knowledge test has two portions that you must pass separately: an *Operator* section on traffic laws (about 45 minutes) and a *Signs* section (about 15 minutes). The SOS does not publish the number of questions or the exact pass mark for either part, so we don't quote one - our Michigan simulator uses a 70% target as a safe benchmark.
How you take it depends on your age. Teens under 18 go through Segment 1 of driver education and take the knowledge exam through their driver-ed provider. Adults 18 and over take the SOS test, and some can take it online (with a $6.50 convenience fee). Adults who fail at the SOS must reschedule for a different day.
Michigan knowledge test - verified facts
- Questions on the test
- Not published by the SOS
- To pass
- a pass mark the SOS does not publish (our practice tests use 70%)
- Permit
- Level 1 Learner's License (teens under 18, Graduated Driver Licensing); adults 18+ receive a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP)
- Minimum age
- 14 years 9 months old
- If you fail
- SOS knowledge test (adults): failing terminates the test and you must reschedule for a different day. Teen Segment 1 exam retakes are handled by the driver-ed provider. No published attempts limit.
- Online test
- Partially - online testing is available only in some cases (see the official site).
The SOS does not publish the number of questions or the pass mark for the Michigan knowledge test. Our 50-question simulator uses 70% (35 correct, so 15 misses) as a safe target - check with the SOS for the exact rule. The test has two portions that must both be passed: an "Operator" section on traffic laws (about 45 minutes) and a "Signs" section (about 15 minutes).
Official source: Michigan SOS driver handbook (edition checked: October 2025) · facts last reviewed 2026-09-28
5 Michigan-specific questions from the PDF
Since 2023, Michigan's hands-free law says a driver may not:
- A. Hold or support a phone with their hands, arms, or shoulders
- B. Use a Bluetooth headset
- C. Listen to music
- D. Use a dashboard phone mount
Show answer
A. Hold or support a phone with their hands, arms, or shoulders - Michigan's 2023 hands-free law makes it illegal to hold or support a phone or device with any part of your hands, arms, or shoulders. Hands-free use is allowed.
Source: Michigan handbook, PDF p.37, 'Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers - including teens' (MCL 257.602b)
Under Michigan's Zero Tolerance law, a driver under 21 violates the law with:
- A. Any bodily alcohol content - 0.02 or more, or any alcohol from drinking
- B. A BAC of 0.05 or greater only
- C. A BAC of 0.08 or greater only
- D. A BAC of 0.10 or greater only
Show answer
A. Any bodily alcohol content - 0.02 or more, or any alcohol from drinking - Michigan law (MCL 257.625(6)) makes it illegal for a driver under 21 to have "any bodily alcohol content": a BAC of 0.02 or more, or any presence of alcohol from drinking (other than a religious service). The 0.08 limit applies only to drivers 21 and over.
Source: Michigan handbook, PDF p.27, list of serious violations (zero tolerance, MCL 257.625(6))
Under Michigan's Kelsey's Law, a teen with a Level 1 license may use a cell phone while driving:
- A. Only in an emergency
- B. For hands-free calls
- C. For navigation only
- D. Anytime
Show answer
A. Only in an emergency - Kelsey's Law prohibits Level 1 license holders from using a cell phone while driving except in an emergency.
Source: Michigan handbook, PDF p.18, GDL Level 1 Learner's License
A Michigan Level 1 license holder may drive only when accompanied by:
- A. A licensed parent, guardian, or designated adult 21 or older
- B. Any licensed driver
- C. A friend who has a license
- D. No one - they may drive alone
Show answer
A. A licensed parent, guardian, or designated adult 21 or older - Level 1 drivers in Michigan must be accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or a designated adult age 21 or older.
Source: Michigan handbook, PDF p.18, GDL Level 1 Learner's License
Under a 2016 law, Michigan raised the maximum speed limit on qualifying rural freeways to:
- A. 75 mph
- B. 65 mph
- C. 80 mph
- D. 85 mph
Show answer
A. 75 mph - Michigan's Public Act 445 raised the limit to 75 mph on hundreds of miles of qualifying rural freeway. Always obey posted signs.
Source: Michigan handbook, MDOT 'Speed limits' page (2016 PA 445); handbook PDF p.39
Michigan laws the test focuses on
- Hands-free law (since 2023): no holding or manually using a phone while driving, for any driver.
- Kelsey's Law: teens with a Level 1 or Level 2 license may not make or receive phone calls while driving, except in an emergency.
- Zero Tolerance: for drivers under 21, the limit is effectively any alcohol.
- Freeway speeds: Michigan raised the limit to 75 mph on qualifying rural freeways under a 2016 law.
Level 1 Learner's License in brief
- Minimum age: 14 years 9 months, after finishing Segment 1 of driver education.
- Supervision: a licensed parent, guardian or designated adult 21 or older must be with you.
- Practice: 50 hours including 10 at night, and at least 6 months on Level 1 before the road skills test.
- Adults get a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) instead and must hold it at least 30 days.
Because the Signs section is scored separately, spend a dedicated session on signs using our road signs guide. Then work through the PDF against the Michigan handbook *What Every Driver Must Know* (linked in the facts box above) and finish with the online Michigan practice tests.