Current Status of Driver License Issuance in Michigan

Release date: February 15, 2008  /  Print This      

Necessary changes have just been made to allow foreign nationals who are legally present, whether permanent residents or in non-immigrant status to obtain a Michigan driver’s license. The amended law was passed on February 14th and signed by Governor Granholm on February 15th. It is effective immediately.

The amended law states that driver’s license applicants who are legally present in the United States will be issued driver’s licenses if they can provide documents demonstrating legal presence in the country as well as documentation that has always been required such as proof of residency. The definition of legal presence includes, but is not limited to, foreign nationals with employment authorization, individuals with non-immigrant status and beneficiaries of an approved immigrant visa petition or an approved labor certification.

Note: The Secretary of State will NOT issue a driver’s license to those people unable to understand highway warning or direction signs in English, or to foreign exchange students attending brief academic programs.

Some minor revisions are likely to come up once this law is implemented. If so, any additional developments will be posted.