Michigan DMV Cheat Sheet

Correct answer: Even if you were not driving at the time of the offense

Michigan law requires a driver’s license suspension for drug convictions, even if you were not driving at the time. With no prior drug violations, the license is suspended for six months; a prior conviction within seven years means a one-year suspension.

Correct answer: Pass tests such as vision, written and on-road exams

A reexamination held due to medical issues may require you to pass several tests, such as vision, written and on-road exams. You may also be asked to provide current medical, vision or psychological information.

Correct answer: Your own medical and related expenses, regardless of who caused the crash

Personal Injury Protection pays for your own medical and rehabilitation expenses and certain related costs after a crash, regardless of who was at fault. This "no-fault" feature is the cornerstone of Michigan’s system.

Correct answer: Up to $1 million in damage your vehicle does to others’ property in Michigan

Property Protection Insurance pays up to $1 million for damage your vehicle does to other people’s property in Michigan — such as buildings, fences and properly parked vehicles. Damage to your own vehicle is covered separately by optional collision coverage.

Correct answer: Apply the brakes just hard enough not to lock the wheels; if they lock, release and reapply

Without anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes just hard enough not to lock the wheels. If the wheels lock, release the pressure and apply the brakes again. This is sometimes called "threshold" or "controlled" braking, and it lets the wheels keep turning so you can steer.

Correct answer: Apply hard, firm pressure and keep it applied until you stop

With anti-lock brakes, apply the brake with hard, firm pressure from the start and maintain that pressure until you stop. You may feel or hear vibrations or pulsations — this is normal, and you should keep steering.

Correct answer: Stay in your car with your seat belt buckled until help arrives

Generally, the safest thing to do in a roadside emergency is to stay in your car with your seat belt buckled until help arrives. If you must leave the vehicle, walk directly to a safe location far from traffic — it is dangerous and illegal to walk on a freeway.

Correct answer: Pull off to the right when safe, stay in your car, and keep both hands visible on the wheel

Pull off to the right as soon as it is safe and stop. Stay in your car with your seat belt on, turn on the interior light if it is dark, open your window and keep both hands empty and in plain sight on the wheel. Do not argue — take out documents only when the officer asks.

Correct answer: Board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities, beginning May 7, 2025

Beginning May 7, 2025, Michigan residents must present a REAL ID-compliant document to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities, military bases and nuclear power plants. A REAL ID card shows a star in a gold circle in the upper right corner. A valid U.S. passport is an acceptable alternative.

Correct answer: Call the railroad emergency number on the blue Emergency Notification Sign, then call 911

Get everyone out and away from the tracks, then call the railroad’s emergency number listed on the blue Emergency Notification Sign and give the crossing identification number. Railroad officials may be able to stop or divert a train. Then call 911.

Correct answer: Continue to the nearest exit, then pull over to the right and stop

If an emergency vehicle approaches while you are in a roundabout, do not stop inside the circle. Continue to the nearest exit, leave the roundabout, then pull over to the right and stop to let the emergency vehicle pass.

Correct answer: Come to a full stop, scan for traffic from the right, and yield before turning

Michigan allows a left turn on red from a two-way street onto a one-way street unless a sign prohibits it. You must first come to a complete stop, scan for vehicles approaching from the right, and yield to any traffic and pedestrians before turning.

Correct answer: A funeral procession has the right of way over other vehicles, except fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles

Funeral processions have the right of way over all other vehicles except fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles. It is a civil infraction to cut through a procession, but other drivers are not required to pull over for one.

Correct answer: At least 500 feet

Stay at least 500 feet behind any moving emergency vehicle displaying flashing warning lights and sounding a siren. Never pass a moving emergency vehicle unless directed to do so by its driver or a law enforcement officer.

Correct answer: The front passenger air bag is deactivated

A rear-facing child seat may be placed in the front only if the front passenger air bag is deactivated. A deploying air bag can seriously injure a child in a rear-facing seat.

Correct answer: More than 15 mph

Anyone under 18 is prohibited from riding in the open bed of a pickup truck traveling more than 15 mph. Limited exceptions apply to farming, construction, military, parades and authorized emergency personnel.

Correct answer: The vehicle merging onto the freeway must yield to traffic already on it

State law requires the merging vehicle to yield to traffic so close as to be an immediate hazard and to adjust its speed to merge safely. Do not count on other drivers to let you in.

Correct answer: Depressing the brake pedal

Depressing the brake pedal cancels the cruise control setting; simply accelerating does not. Cruise control is best used in rural areas with little traffic, not on slippery roads or in heavy traffic.

Correct answer: An incident, emergency or unplanned event that has disrupted traffic

Fluorescent pink is used for incident-management signs — an emergency, crash or other unplanned event has disrupted traffic. These warning and guide signs help you drive safely around or through the affected area.

Correct answer: Passing is not allowed for traffic in either direction

A double solid yellow line down the middle of a two-lane road means passing is not allowed for vehicles traveling in either direction. You may cross it only in limited situations, such as turning into a driveway or a parking spot.

Correct answer: A left-turn-only center lane, shared by traffic from both directions

A left-turn-only center lane is marked with a solid yellow line on each outside edge and broken yellow lines on the inside. Drivers from either direction may use it only to make left turns; using it to pass or as a merge lane is illegal and dangerous.

Correct answer: Drive straight through (or turn right), then make a U-turn at the median crossover

Michigan Lefts, also called indirect left turns, do not allow a traditional left turn at the intersection. Instead you drive straight through the intersection (or turn right), then make a U-turn at the median crossover to complete your movement.

Correct answer: You may turn left after yielding, once there is an adequate gap in oncoming traffic and no pedestrians are crossing

A flashing yellow arrow allows you to turn left, but oncoming traffic still has a green light. You must yield — turn only when there is an adequate gap in traffic and no pedestrians or bicyclists are crossing.

Correct answer: Face oncoming traffic

If a street has no sidewalk, pedestrians should face oncoming traffic when walking along the road’s edge. Watch for people on both sides of the road, and make extra allowances for the elderly, the young and people with disabilities.

Correct answer: Cannot go faster than 30 mph and has an engine of 100 cc or less

A moped has two or three wheels, an engine of 100 cc or less, cannot propel itself faster than 30 mph on a level surface, and has a power drive system that does not require shifting gears. "Scooter" is a broader term that also covers higher-powered machines.