Michigan Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)

The Michigan rules and numbers to know for the SOS knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official Michigan driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.

The Michigan test at a glance

Questions on the test: Not published by the SOS
To pass: a pass mark the SOS does not publish (our practice tests use 70%)
Time limit: We found no published time limit for the Michigan knowledge test.
Minimum permit age: 14 years 9 months old
Hold the permit for: 6 months on Level 1 before the road skills test (teens); adults must hold the TIP at least 30 days
Alcohol limit under 21: Zero tolerance (any measurable amount)

Michigan rules and numbers

From the official Michigan handbook (October 2025 (SOS-133 Rev. 10/2025)); PDF page numbers in brackets.

Rules of the road

Michigan Level 1: drive only with a licensed parent, guardian, or designated adult 21+. [p.18]
Michigan: qualifying rural freeways can be posted at 75 mph. [p.40]
Michigan platted subdivisions and condo complexes: 25 mph. [p.40]
Michigan freeways: 70 mph maximum, 55 mph minimum unless posted otherwise. [p.40]
Michigan non-freeway highways: 55 mph unless posted otherwise. [p.40]
Michigan work zones: fines for moving violations are doubled. [p.41]
Flashing green lights on a road maintenance vehicle: slow down and use caution. [p.41]
Stopped emergency vehicle: slow at least 10 mph below the limit and move over if able. [p.42]
Stay at least 500 feet behind a moving emergency vehicle with lights and siren. [p.42]
School bus with flashing red lights: stop at least 20 feet away. [p.43]
Divided highway with a median: no need to stop for a school bus on the other side. [p.42]
Michigan: cutting through a funeral procession is a civil infraction. [p.45]
Michigan: left on red is allowed from a two-way onto a one-way street after stopping. [p.44]
Passing: be back in your lane before you are within 200 feet of oncoming traffic. [p.46]
No passing within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing. [p.46]
Michigan Left: go straight or turn right, then U-turn at a median crossover. [p.62]
Unmarked Michigan Left crossover: treat it as single-lane. [p.62]
Michigan: no parking within 500 feet of a fire or a crash. [p.52]
Michigan: no parking within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing. [p.52]
Michigan: no parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, traffic light, or flashing beacon. [p.52]
No crosswalk: no parking within 15 feet of the intersection (20 feet from a marked crosswalk). [p.53]
Train coming: stop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks. [p.49]
Cross only if your vehicle can clear the far side of the tracks by 6 feet. [p.50]
Passing a bicyclist in Michigan: leave at least 3 feet. [p.71]
Michigan Level 2: no driving 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless an exception applies. [p.19]
Michigan hand-held phone fine: $100 first offense, $250 after that. [p.37]
Car seat or booster until age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches tall. [p.39]

Safe driving & emergencies

Michigan: drivers may not hold or support a phone with hands, arms, or shoulders. [p.37]
Michigan Kelsey's Law: Level 1 drivers may use a phone only in an emergency. [p.19]
Michigan following distance: 3 to 4 seconds; up to 6+ in bad conditions. [p.78]
Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. [p.78]
Rain: slow down and allow at least twice the normal following distance. [p.76]
Horse or buggy ahead: slow to 15-20 mph and stay at least 20 feet back. [p.68]
Unavoidable deer crash: don't veer, brake firmly, stay in your lane. [p.79]

Alcohol & drugs

Michigan: under 21, any bodily alcohol content (0.02+ or any drinking) is illegal. [p.27]

Rules learners miss most

The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.

At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
Most states: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (a few use 10 feet).
KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.

Now test yourself

Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.

Flashcards Practice test 1 Michigan mock test