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Michigan · License Renewal

Michigan License Renewal

A complete guide to license renewal in Michigan, based on the official MI SoS driver handbook.

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Capital: Lansing Min permit age: 14 years 9 months Permit fee: $25 Hold period: 6 months

When to renew in Michigan

A Michigan driver license is typically issued for a four-, five-, or eight-year term. The MI SoS mails or emails a renewal notice 60 days before expiration; if you have moved, update your address before the notice goes out so you do not miss it. Driving with an expired license — even a day expired — is a citable offense and may invalidate your insurance coverage in a crash.

What you need to renew

Bring your current Michigan driver license, payment for the renewal fee (currently $25 for an original; renewal fees are similar), and any documents the MI SoS requested in your renewal notice. If you are upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant license you will also need a passport or birth certificate, a Social Security card, and two proofs of Michigan residency.

For a deeper read on this topic across all 50 states, see our right-of-way, speed limits, and alcohol and drugs articles.

Vision and medical screening

Michigan renewals usually include a vision screening — a 20/40 acuity standard is required either uncorrected or with corrective lenses. If you cannot pass at the counter, the MI SoS will ask you to bring a vision specialist's report before issuing the new license. Drivers age 70 and older in many counties must renew in person and complete the vision screen at every renewal.

Online and mail renewal

Many Michigan drivers can renew online or by mail every other cycle, so long as their photo on file is recent enough and they have no medical or vision flags. The online portal at the MI SoS site walks you through eligibility in under a minute. If you do not qualify online, the office appointment system fills two to four weeks out — book early.

What if your license is already expired

In Michigan a recently expired license can usually be renewed at the counter without a re-test, but a long-expired license (typically more than two years past expiration) requires you to retake the knowledge and road tests. Driving on an expired license can also trigger reinstatement fees similar to those after a suspension — currently $55 in Michigan.

Quick facts about Michigan

  • Capital: Lansing
  • Minimum permit age: 14 years 9 months
  • Current permit fee: $25
  • Supervised hold period: 6 months
  • Adult BAC limit: 0.08% · Under-21 BAC: 0.02%
  • Default speed limits: 75 mph rural Interstate, 70 mph urban Interstate, 25 mph residential, 25 mph school zone
  • Handheld phone use: banned
  • Vision standard: 20/40 acuity in at least one eye, corrected or uncorrected
  • Reinstatement fee after suspension: $55
  • Official source: MI SoS

Other Michigan guides on PermitPrep

Each link below opens a dedicated Michigan page. Every guide is built from the same official MI SoS handbook so the rules stay consistent across topics.

Ready to test what you have learned? Take the free Michigan permit practice test — 20 randomized questions, instant grading, full explanations.