Obtaining a Michigan Driver's License

**On September 18, the Security of State and Social Security Administration are coming to EMU to help process Social Security Numbers, Letters of Ineligibility for SSNs, and Driving Tests. See Social Security and Driver's License Day for more information.

Step 1: Study "What Every Driver Must Know". You can obtain a copy at the OIS or online here.

Step 2: Present required documents at Secretary of State (SOS) - the nearest office is at 2720 Washtenaw, Ypsilanti MI 48197

• Social Security Number, or "Letter of Ineligibility". See Applying for a Social Security Number for more information on SSN eligibility and Letter of Ineligibility requests.
• Valid, unexpired foreign passport and US visa
• Stamped I-94
• I-20 or DS-2019
• 2 official documents showing proof of Michigan residency (examples include utility bill, credit card bill, or bank statement issued within last 90 days, lease or rental agreement, insurance policy, pay stub from Michigan employer). Your name and address must be listed on the documents.

Step 3: Knowledge, Road Signs, & Vision Tests.
Pass vision test, knowledge test, and road signs test given at the SOS. You can obtain a copy of the study guide for knowledge and road signs test at the OIS or online at http://michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1642-103522--,00.html.

Pay $25 for Temporary Instruction Permit (called TIP permit). You can pay with cash, check, money order, MasterCard or Discovery. A permit is required to take driving skills test (step #5).

Step 4: Practice
After you pass the written test and receive a TIP, you are required to wait for a 30-day period before taking the road test; this period is to allow you to practice driving before taking the driving skills test. Note that your TIP is only valid for 180 days.

EXCEPTION - If you have in your possession a Driver's License from your country, the 30-day practice period will be waived. Your license must be translated into English by a translation service unless the parts of the license that list the name, date of birth, country of issue, issue date, type of license and expiration date are in English. The Michigan Secretary of State's Translators Resource List includes several translation services in Ann Arbor. If you have a valid license and translation, you do not need to wait 30 days to take the driving skills test.

Step 5: Driving Skills Test
Choose a company authorized to give the road skills test from the Michigan Department of State Driving Skills Testing Organizations, Washtenaw County. We suggest you contact several companies to compare fees as prices may vary between companies.

You must also have a passport and a valid registration for the vehicle to be used in the road test, along with proof of its insurance. The vehicle must be in good mechanical condition. The driving skills test has two parts:

1. Basic control skills
2. On-the-road driving requirements

Step 6: Take skills test certificate, TIP, and identification to SOS for license issuance.

State of Michigan Personal Identification Card

If you do not need a driver's license, but would like a Michigan Personal Identification card, you can apply at any SOS office. There is a fee of $10. The identification requirements are the same as for a driver's license.

Please be aware, the SOS will not issue you an ID card if you have a Michigan driver's license, a driver's license from another state, or a driver's license from another country.