Licenses and ID

Electronic copies of a utility or credit card bill issued within the last 90 days or an account statement from a bank or other financial institution issued within the last 90 days are acceptable as proof of residency. All other documents must be original.

In most cases, Michigan residents must purchase their own records. The following exceptions are allowed by law:

Commercial and governmental agency users
The Michigan Department of State allows commercial and governmental users to obtain driver’s license, vehicle, mobile home, watercraft, and recreational vehicle records under certain specified conditions.

Driving Record Subscription Service
The Driving Record Subscription Service provides organizations with the driving records of their employees on an annual basis, or whenever there are violations, restrictions, suspensions, or revocations posted to the driving record.

Your driver’s license or ID must contain a street address. However, you may use a P.O. Box as a mailing address.

Michigan's driver education curriculum is required for all teen drivers under age 18. Michigan residents over age 18 will need to study Michigan's driving laws. To apply for your Michigan license, complete and pass the vision exam and driver knowledge exam at your office visit. You will be issued a paper temporary permit to practice driving with a licensed adult for at least 30 days. Once 30 days have passed, contact a driver testing business to complete the on-road driver skills test. Upon passing, your license will be mailed to you.

If you are purchasing your driving record for your own reference, you may not need a certified record.

If you are purchasing a copy of your record for a court case, or for an employer, check with the person requesting the record to verify what type of record is needed and if it needs to be certified.

NOTE: All driving records purchased in Secretary of State offices are certified records.

If you plan to drive, you will need to apply for a license, and your license will act as legal identification. ID isn't required by the state, but is generally required by employers, retailers, and to access certain services. Information about licenses and IDs

No. When you move out of state, your Michigan license will be canceled in our records when your new state of residence notifies us that another license was issued. If you move back to Michigan, you will need to reapply for a Michigan license, including providing new proofs of residency.

Aging drivers, their families and friends, and healthcare providers may visit the Safe Drivers Smart Options: Keys for Lifelong Mobility website for information and resources for active older drivers and those who may be considering limiting their driving and using alternative transportation.

While it’s required that your residential address be a verified U.S. Postal Service street address, you can add another address for mail delivery. Update your permanent or temporary mailing address online or by submitting a Change of Address form. When submitting this information, be sure to select the box designating that it is a new mailing address. Change of address Change of address form

Most driver’s licenses and IDs can be replaced online or at a self-service station. However, if you have changed your address or requested a replacement license or ID within the last 28 days, you will need to visit a Secretary of State office to provide proof of identity. Replace a license, ID, or permit Go to Online Services Find a self-service station

If you are a registered Michigan voter, your voter registration information will be updated automatically when you change your address on your Michigan driver’s license or ID. If you are updating your address within two weeks of an election, you must visit your local clerk’s office in person if you would like to vote in the election using your new address. Review your voter registration

The link for your electronic driver record is only accessible for 7 days. During the seven-day period, you may view your electronic driver record as many times as you need to by logging in and choosing the option to View Transaction History. We recommend you save your documents to your computer or device so that you may conveniently view the record at any time. If you were unable to access your driving record in the time allotted, you may apply for a refund.

Standard license renewal - $18
Standard license late renewal - $25
Enhanced license renewal - $38
Enhanced license late renewal - $45
Standard ID renewal - $10
Enhanced ID renewal - $30

Fees vary for chauffeur, commercial, and other endorsements. Some residents are eligible for a no-fee ID.

A standard state ID is $10.

A standard first-time license is $25.

Additional fees apply for enhanced credentials, chauffeur, and commercial licenses, and other license endorsements. Some residents are eligible for a no-fee ID.

Online - in state or out of state You may request a replacement license through online services whether you are in state or out of state. A branch office visit will be required if you have changed your address within the last 10 days or renewed your license within the last four weeks. At a Secretary of State office If you are in Michigan, take acceptable proof of identification and your Social Security number to a Secretary of State office. Acceptable identity documents for the standard and enhanced licenses vary, but some of the documents that accepted for either include a valid, unexpired passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate with a raised seal issued by a U.S. or U.S. territory government office, federal or Michigan government issued photo ID card or a valid U.S. military photo ID card. More than one document may be required - faxes and photocopies are not accepted. Please refer to the Applying for a License or ID form (standard license) or the Applying for an Enhanced License or ID form (enhanced license) for more information. Fees for a duplicate license differ, depending on license type. Out of State - by mail If out of state, you must provide your complete name (first, middle and last), date of birth, driver's license number, Social Security number and out-of-state address. If you need to replace a standard driver's license and are ineligible for a Social Security number, you must provide a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration and proof of legal presence. You must have a valid Social Security number to obtain an enhanced license. All Social Security information will be verified. If you will be back in the state within 180 days, a temporary extension permit will be mailed. If you will not be back in Michigan within that time, a temporary extension permit will be mailed along with a duplicate driver's license application. For more information about a temporary extension permit or if you have questions about replacing a lost or destroyed license if out of state contact: Michigan Department of State
The Special Services Section
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing, MI 48918

Phone: 517-636-5872
Fax: 517-636-5865

You may continue to renew and use your driver's license as identification even though you are no longer driving. You may also cancel your driver's license at any time (no matter your age). To cancel your driver's license, you must visit a Secretary of State office to turn in your license and apply for an ID.

You may locate the number on your vehicle registration or your tax return, or you may obtain it by calling your insurance company. You may also renew/replace at a self-service station by providing your full name, date of birth and Social Security number.

• Your first, middle and last name
• Your license/ID number
• Your permanent address and alternative mailing address, if applicable
• Your phone number
• A check or money order payable to the State of Michigan. Determine how much you owe for your renewal.

Mail your information and payment to:
Michigan Department of State
Internal Services Section
7064 Crowner Drive

Lansing, MI 48918

• If you would like to reinstate your driver’s license after it was canceled, the knowledge test and skills test are waived if the canceled license expiration date is still current or expired up to four years. If the canceled license is expired more than four years, you will have to pass the vision and written knowledge tests, obtain a temporary instruction permit, and pass a driving skills test through a driver testing business. The 30-day practice period is waived.
• If your license was canceled because of a medical condition, or the license was revoked by Driver Assessment because of a medical condition, you will need to complete a DA-4P Physician’s Statement and submit it for review before the license would be issued.

1. You renewed through alternative methods, such as by mail, online, or at a self-service station the last two renewals.
2. Your Social Security number cannot be verified by the Department of State.
3. You are not a U.S. citizen -- a non-citizen's legal presence must be verified at the time of renewal.
4. Your license has been canceled or voluntarily surrendered.
5. Your photograph is not on file or is more than 12 years old.
6. You are listed on the sex offender registry.
7. You have submitted a change of address online within the last 10 days.
8. Your license has been expired for more than four years.
9. Your license is suspended, revoked, or denied.
10. You are turning 21 years old.
11. You have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a hazmat endorsement.
12. You have dual products on system, such as a driver's license and a state ID.

Is there a reduced fee for Enhanced ID cards to residents age 65 and older, and to those who are legally blind?

• Enhanced ID cards are offered for a reduced fee to residents age 65 and older, and to those who are legally blind.

A doctor’s statement. The doctor can complete form DI-4V - Vision Specialist's Statement of Examination or can write a letter documenting the applicant’s vision.