Michigan Secretary of State · 2026
Michigan SOS Test Cheat Sheet
Every number and rule you need to memorize — all on one page. Print this out.
Speed Limits
| Location | Speed |
|---|
| Freeways (passenger vehicles) | 70 mph max / 55 mph min |
| Freeways (trucks/school buses) | 65 mph (55 on freeways under 70) |
| Streets & highways (not freeways) | 55 mph |
| Residential subdivisions & condos | 25 mph |
| Work zones | 45 mph (if posted) |
| Mobile home parks | 15 mph |
Parking Clearances
| Object | Minimum Distance |
|---|
| Fire hydrant | 15 feet |
| Crosswalk at intersection | 20 feet |
| Fire station driveway | 20 feet |
| Stop sign / yield sign / traffic signal | 30 feet |
| Railroad crossing (nearest rail) | 50 feet |
| Parallel parking (from curb) | 12 inches max |
OWI / Alcohol Laws
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| BAC limit (21+) | 0.08% |
| BAC limit (under 21) | 0.02% |
| BAC limit (CDL) | 0.04% |
| "Super Drunk" enhanced penalties | 0.17%+ BAC |
| Refusing chemical test | 1-year license suspension |
| 1st OWI (BAC under .17%) | Misdemeanor — up to 93 days jail, up to $500 fine |
| 1st OWI (BAC .17%+) | "Super Drunk" — up to 180 days jail, up to $700 fine |
| 2nd OWI | Misdemeanor — up to 1 year jail |
| 3rd OWI (lifetime) | Felony — 1 to 5 years prison |
| Cannabis | Legal in Michigan — but driving impaired = OWI |
| Sobriety checkpoints | ILLEGAL in Michigan (unconstitutional) |
Teen / GDL Rules
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| Level 1 Learner's License age | 14 years 9 months (with Segment 1) |
| Level 1 hold period | 6 months minimum |
| Required practice hours | 50 hours (10 at night) |
| Supervisor | Parent, guardian, or designated adult 21+ |
| Level 2 Intermediate age | 16 (after 6 months at Level 1, clean 90 days) |
| Level 2 curfew | 10 PM – 5 AM |
| Level 2 passengers | Max 1 non-family under 21 |
| Level 3 Full License age | 17 (12 months clean driving) |
| GDL ends at | Age 18 |
| Cell phone (Level 1 & 2) | NO use at all — Kelsey's Law (except 911) |
| Hands-free law | ALL drivers (June 2023) |
Distances & Equipment
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| Following distance | 3–4 seconds (more in bad conditions) |
| Signal before turning | 100 feet |
| Dim high beams — oncoming | 500 feet |
| Dim high beams — following | 200 feet |
| Headlights on when | ½ hr after sunset to ½ hr before sunrise + wipers on + visibility under 500 ft |
| Headlights visibility required | 500 feet |
| Horn audible from | 200 feet |
| Turn signals visible from | 300 feet |
| Passing clearance for cyclists | 3 feet minimum (5 ft in some cities) |
| Stop from railroad tracks | 15–50 feet from nearest rail |
| License valid | 4 years (in-person renewal every 12 years for new photo) |
| Retake exam after fail | Next business day |
| Retake driving test after fail | 7 days |
Print tip: Press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac) to print this page. Keep it by your desk while studying, then leave it home on test day — you've got this.