You must have a Michigan driver license if you are a resident of Michigan and want to drive a motor vehicle on public streets and highways. If you have a permanent home in Michigan, you are a resident. If you live and work in this state even for a short time, you are a resident.

When you become a Michigan resident, you must get a Michigan driver license immediately. You must pass a vision test, a traffic sign test and a written test on Michigan traffic laws and safe driving habits. You may have to take a driving test. You must turn in any other license you may have. No Michigan resident may have more than one driver license.

If you have been licensed to drive in another state, the Michigan Department of State will get a copy of your driving record from that state. It will become part of your record in Michigan. You will have violation points put on your record for any convictions you had in the other state just as if they had happened in Michigan. If your driver license from another state is expired or lost, you must get a letter from the state saying your driving privilege is not suspended or revoked.

First built by the lumber interests as a means of moving logs by water, our canal between the lakes has rated acclaim and recognition from all corners of this earth. Since the canal was first dug, there have been many bridges crossing our canal...from this old view up through to today's span which carries M-115 traffic over a much improved and widened channel. Pen sketch by Fred H. Lamb

A vehicle is any device used on the highways to move people or property. It can have a motor or it can be towed. Examples include cars, trucks, and trailers of all sizes, buses and motorcycles. Anything moved by human power is not considered a vehicle. Most vehicles must be titled and registered with the Department of State. All registered motor vehicles except mopeds, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles must have insurance.

A title is a legal document. It says that you own certain property. In Michigan, you must have a title for all motor vehicles, trailer coaches, mobile homes, camping trailers,and trailers weighing more that 2,500 pounds empty. If you are a new Michigan resident, you must immediately title and register any vehicle you own.

Michigan Secretary of State

1574 N Mitchell
Cadillac, MI 49601
231-775-3231
231-775-0698 (Fax)

For orders and cost information, to add, move, change or disconnect existing service, call "no charge" 1-941-2888, from a public phone call 800-482-0666. If you are out of the 231 area, call collect.

330 Chestnut Street, Cadillac 1-800-477-5050

1011 Hastings, Traverse City 1-800-395-4005

200 Lake Street, Cadillac 775-0181