Getting a driver’s license has long been a rite of passage for teenagers, but the requirements are a bit more involved than some of us might have experienced ourselves years ago.
In Michigan, teens can start the process at the age of 14 years and eight months, although they have to complete some key steps and can’t apply for a learner’s license until they are 14 years and nine months old.
That doesn’t mean your 14-year-old will be ready to take over family driving duties by himself or herself just yet, but it does signal the start of the journey.
It’s a process, after all.
Michigan, like many other states, uses a graduated driver licensing program.
That means classroom instruction, behind-the-wheel training and testing, among other things.
Because of the time commitment and the costs involved, some teenagers choose to wait until they turn 18, but Michigan Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie said the current program does make a big difference when it comes to a key concern.
“When you go through it, it’s really a great thing,” he said. noting that it leads to a lot of safer drivers.
There are three license levels − learner’s, intermediate and full − along with driver education requirements that include classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training. Teens have to be at least 16 for an intermediate license and 17 for a full license, and they have to have held the earlier license types as they move to the more advanced levels.
The Michigan Secretary of State’s Office provides a breakdown of the specific requirements and restrictions for each phase on its website, so it’s a good place to get a full review. The office notes that driving privileges increase with each level.
Rachel Wilson, director of Driver Education Programs for AAA-The Auto Club Group, said in an email that as teens progress through the system, they gain knowledge, skills and real-world driving experience.
Teens complete two segments of driver education, obtain a Level 1 Learner’s License, log supervised driving hours with a parent or guardian, pass a driving skills test, and meet specific age and experience requirements before advancing to a Level 2 Intermediate License with restrictions and, eventually, a full Level 3 License, Wilson said.
The key to starting the process involves finding a certified driver’s education program. The Secretary of State’s Office includes a searchable database on its website (AAA’s is among the programs listed). Some school districts, according to Edevbie, do still offer driver’s education programs.
That was once the norm. From 1955 until 1997, Michigan had a system where students were trained to become drivers as part of the school curriculum, according to Edevbie.
Even though at 16, teens would be able to get their license and be on the road then, ”there are a lot of studies that showed drivers weren’t as ready to get on the road as they should have been,” he said.
That led to the graduated driver’s license structure in place today, he said.
The change has been good for safety, but it has had the effect of perhaps limiting the number of teens who get their licenses at a younger age. The cost, which can be hundreds of dollars for the driver’s education program, and less availability of certified program providers in rural areas, have had an impact, Edevbie said.
He said the Secretary of State’s Office has advocated for the state Legislature to take some steps toward reforms. Part of what’s needed, he said, includes making driver’s education more affordable and more accessible, particularly in rural areas, and that would likely involve the school districts.
Another area of potential reform would involve car dealers that might be reluctant to lend vehicles for driver’s education programs in schools now because of potential insurance liability, he said.
His advice for teens who might be preparing to start the process of getting a driver’s license?
“Every single driver going into it should, No. 1, take your instructions seriously and be open-minded but also be confident. You can be a great driver and be safe on the roads,” he said. “We just want young drivers to be safe on Michigan roads and that requires time and patience.”
Wilson, of AAA, noted that teens who tend to be best prepared for the process of getting a license are those whose parents or guardians are actively involved in the learning process.
“What often surprises both teens and parents is the amount of time and commitment required beyond the driver education classroom. The graduated driver licensing process is designed to help teens build experience gradually, and that requires consistent practice over an extended period. For many families, balancing supervised driving practice with school, sports, work and other activities can be one of the biggest challenges.”
Approaching driving as a shared responsibility and making practice part of the routine is key, she said.
“Meaningful, consistent driving experience in a variety of conditions helps teens build confidence, develop good decision-making skills, and become safer, more capable drivers,” Wilson said.
Eric D. Lawrence is the senior car culture reporter, but he also writes about boats, recreational vehicles and bikes at the Detroit Free Press. Send your tips and suggestions about cool automotive and other stuff to elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What to know about Michigan’s driving age
Reporting by Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
