According to the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) after passing Segment One of driver education, teens must go to a Secretary of State branch office to apply for their Level 1 license. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the teen to sign the application. The parent or legal guardian must sign the application or the teen driver will not be issued a Level 1 License. Signing indicates parental/legal guardian approval for licensing of a minor.

The SOS also states that parents should contact their insurance agent to verify that there is coverage for their teen with a Level 1 License. So if your 16 year old son already has his level 1 license and is about to receive a level 2 license then you need to inform your insurance agent to find out if your teenager must be added now or when he has his full license. Insurance companies' guidelines differ so some may cover him without adding him as a driver until he is fully licensed while other insurance carriers will want him added now with his learner permit.

In MI parents have the legal right to request that your teen be held at a certain GDL level, dropped back a level, or have all driving privileges canceled if you believe your teen is not ready to handle certain driving responsibilities. Forms for changing the status of your teen’s GDL driving privileges are available at any Secretary of State branch office. GDL ends for all teens at age 18.

As an overview of the graduated driver's license system in Michigan, Level 1 License is a learner’s license. It places the greatest restrictions on your teen’s driving privileges during the time he or she is beginning to master the fundamental skills necessary to be a competent and safe driver.

With a Level 1 License, a teen may operate a motor vehicle only when accompanied by a licensed parent or legal guardian or any licensed driver 21 years of age or older designated by the parent or legal guardian. As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to make sure your teen completes the required supervised driving with you or another licensed adult driver before Segment 2 of driver education begins.

Level 2 Intermediate License has fewer restrictions than the Level 1 License. Under the Level 2 License, teens are permitted to drive unsupervised except between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. when they must have a licensed adult with them.

When your teen applies for a Level 2 License, the parent has the choice of allowing the teen to automatically advance to a Level 3 License when he or she is eligible or delaying the Level 3 License until you, the parent, decide your teen is ready to have full driving privileges with no restrictions.

Your teen is eligible for a Level 3 License if he or she is at least 17 years old, has held a Level 2 License for at least 180 days and has been crash and violation free during the prior twelve months.

You do not have to go to a Secretary of State branch office to obtain a Level 3 License. Your teen will automatically progress to a Level 3 License when he or she meets the Level 3 criteria shown above. The Level 3 License will be mailed to your teen’s address on file with the Secretary of State.