Residency and one license — Michigan Permit Test

To be a Michigan resident you must live in Michigan and have shown that you are legally present in the state.

The state only licenses people who live here and are lawfully here. Both have to be shown before a license is issued.

You must reside in Michigan and have established that you are legally present in the state to be considered a Michigan resident.

Michigan law allows a driver to hold only one valid driver's license at a time.

Two licenses would mean two driving records, and a suspension on one could be dodged with the other.

Michigan law allows drivers to hold only one valid driver’s license at a time.

A new Michigan resident must immediately title and register their vehicle at a Secretary of State office.

The state needs to know who owns each vehicle on its roads from the day the owner moves in.

If you are a new Michigan resident, you must immediately title and register your vehicle at a Secretary of State office.

A new resident may keep driving on another state's license until Michigan residency is established, and then must apply for a Michigan license.

The old license still proves you can drive while you settle in, but once you live here Michigan becomes the state that licenses you.

If you have a driver’s license or state identification card from another state, you may use it until your Michigan residency is established.

If your out-of-state license is suspended or revoked, you must clear the issue with your previous state before Michigan will accept your application.

A suspension follows the driver, not the address. Moving does not wipe the slate clean.

If your out-of-state driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you must contact your previous state to clear any outstanding issues before your application for a Michigan license will be accepted.

When Michigan accepts your application, your out-of-state driver's license is invalidated and returned to you.

Once the Michigan license is issued, the old one stops being a license, so you never hold two at once.

be invalidated and returned to you.

What makes you a Michigan resident for licensing?

Living in Michigan and being legally present. The state only licenses people who live here and are lawfully here. Both have to be shown before a license is issued. What Every Driver Must Know, p.1: “You must reside in Michigan and have established that you are legally present in the state to be considered a Michigan resident.”