Michigan Compiled Laws
300-1949-III - Chapter III Operator's and Chauffeur's License (257.301...257.329)
Section 257.301 - Valid Operator's or Chauffeur's License Required; Group Designation and Indorsements; Surrender of Other Valid Licenses; Notice; Number of Licenses Permitted; Certifying Nonpossession of Valid License; Pandemic Expiration Extension.

Sec. 301.
(1) Except as provided in this act, an individual shall not drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state unless that individual has a valid operator's or chauffeur's license with the appropriate group designation and indorsements for the type or class of vehicle being driven or towed. A resident of this state holding a commercial driver license group indorsement issued by another state shall apply for a license transfer within 30 days after establishing domicile in this state.
(2) An individual shall not receive a license to operate a motor vehicle until that individual surrenders to the secretary of state all valid licenses to operate a motor vehicle issued to that individual by this or any state or certifies that he or she does not possess a valid license. The secretary of state shall notify the issuing state that the licensee is now licensed in this state.
(3) An individual shall not have more than 1 valid driver license.
(4) An individual shall not drive a motor vehicle as a chauffeur unless that individual holds a valid chauffeur's license. An individual shall not receive a chauffeur's license until that individual surrenders to the secretary of state a valid operator's or chauffeur's license issued to that individual by this or any state or certifies that he or she does not possess a valid license.
(5) An individual holding a valid chauffeur's license need not procure an operator's license.
(6) An operator's or chauffeur's license that expires on or after March 1, 2020 is valid until March 31, 2021. An operator's or chauffeur's license that expires after March 31, 2021 but before August 1, 2021 is valid until 120 days after the date of the expiration.
History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Apr. 21, 1967 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 139, Eff. May 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 398, Eff. Mar. 31, 1981 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 346, Eff. Jan. 1, 1990 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 159, Imd. Eff. Sept. 30, 2011 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 127, Imd. Eff. July 1, 2020 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 241, Eff. Oct. 28, 2020 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 304, Imd. Eff. Dec. 29, 2020 ;-- Am. 2021, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 29, 2021 Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 346 of 1988 provides:“(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, this amendatory act shall take effect October 1, 1989.“(2) Sections 634, 710g, 722, 723, 724, 802, and 907 of this amendatory act shall take effect January 1, 1989.“(3) Sections 4B and 801 of this amendatory act shall take effect upon the date of enactment of this amendatory act.”Section 2 of Act 173 of 1989 provides:“(1) The amendments made to sections 8b, 57, 67a, 301, 303, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 312d, 312e, 312f, 312g, 312h, 314, 314b, 319a, 321a, 323, 728, 732, 743, and 907 of Act No. 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, being sections 257.8b, 257.57, 257.67a, 257.301, 257.303, 257.305, 257.306, 257.307, 257.309, 257.310, 257.312d, 257.312e, 257.312f, 257.312g, 257.312h, 257.314, 257.314b, 257.319a, 257.321a, 257.323, 257.728, 257.732, 257.743, and 257.907 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, by Act No. 346 of the Public Acts of 1988 shall take effect January 1, 1990.“(2) Enacting section 2 of Act No. 346 of the Public Acts of 1988 is repealed.”Enacting section 1 of Act 71 of 2021 provides:"Enacting section 1. Sections 216(2), 217(11) and (12), 226(11) and (13), 255(4), 301(6), 306(1), (2), (4), and (6), 306a(4), 309(11), 312k(1), 314(7), 801k(1) and (2), and 811(5) of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.216, 257.217, 257.226, 257.255, 257.301, 257.306, 257.306a, 257.309, 257.312k, 257.314, 257.801k, and 257.811, as amended by this amendatory act, are intended to be retroactive and apply retroactively."

Structure Michigan Compiled Laws

Michigan Compiled Laws

Chapter 257 - Motor Vehicles

Act 300 of 1949 - Michigan Vehicle Code (257.1 - 257.923)

300-1949-III - Chapter III Operator's and Chauffeur's License (257.301...257.329)

Section 257.301 - Valid Operator's or Chauffeur's License Required; Group Designation and Indorsements; Surrender of Other Valid Licenses; Notice; Number of Licenses Permitted; Certifying Nonpossession of Valid License; Pandemic Expiration Extension.

Section 257.302 - Operators' and Chauffeurs' Licenses; Persons Exempt.

Section 257.302a - Nonresident Using License to Operate Motor Vehicle Issued by Another Country; Establishment of Unique Driver Record; Reciprocal Agreement.

Section 257.303 - Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Issuance; Prohibitions; Revocation; Denial of License; Multiple Convictions or Civil Infractions; "Felony in Which a Motor Vehicle Was Used" Defined.

Section 257.303a - Suspension, Revocation, Denial, Disqualification, or Cancellation of License by Another State.

Section 257.304 - Restricted License; Issuance; Conditions; Carrying and Displaying Restricted License; Order; Prohibition; Completion of Dwi/sobriety Court Program and Certificate as Evidence of Abstinence; "Certificate" Defined; Imposition of Licen...

Section 257.305, 257.305a - Repealed. 1990, Act 188, Eff. Aug. 15, 1990.

Section 257.306 - Temporary Instruction Permit; Operation of Motor Vehicle Without Operator's License or Permit; Pandemic Expiration Extension; Temporary Driver Education Certificate; Motorcycle Temporary Instruction Permit.

Section 257.306a - Commercial Learner's Permit; Pandemic Expiration Extension.

Section 257.307 - Application for Operator's or Chauffeur's License to Operate Noncommercial Motor Vehicle; Documents to Be Supplied to Verify Citizenship or Identity and Legal Presence; Manner; Contents; Image and Signature; Automatic Voter Registra...

Section 257.307a - Operator or Chauffeur License Containing Vehicle Group Designation; Contents.

Section 257.307b - Application by Male for Operator's License or Chauffeur's License; Registration of Applicant With Federal Selective Service System.

Section 257.308 - Application of Minor for Operator's License; Condition to Approval; Exception.

Section 257.309 - Examination of Applicant for Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Criminal History Check; Waiver; Exception; Certification of Licensee Applying for Renewal of License by Mail; Examining Officers; Conducting Examinations; Report of Fin...

Section 257.310 - Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Issuance; Applicant for Motorcycle Indorsement or Vehicle Group Designation or Indorsement; Contents of License; Fingerprint or Finger Image; Digitized License; Information; Manufacture; Unlawful A...

Section 257.310a - Repealed. 1978, Act 139, Eff. May 1, 1979.

Section 257.310b - Expired. 1979, Act 66, Eff. Oct. 1, 1980.

Section 257.310c - Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Persons Not Previously Licensed; Temporary Instruction Permit; Exception.

Section 257.310d - Designation of License as Probationary for 3 Years; Suspension of License or Imposition of Probationary Terms and Conditions; Duration; Reexamination; Extension of Probationary Period; Failure to Appear for Reexamination; Notice; A...

Section 257.310e - Graduated Licensing.

Section 257.310f - Issuance of Corrected Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Address Confidentiality Program Participant; Renewal; Definitions.

Section 257.311 - Possession of Operator's or Chauffeur's License or Receipt When Operating Motor Vehicle Required; Display; Identification.

Section 257.311a - Issuance of Receipt for Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Form; Approval; Design; Effect; Expiration of Receipt and License; Renewal of License.

Section 257.312 - Restricted Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Contents; Expiration; Suspension or Revocation; Violation as Misdemeanor; Exceptions.

Section 257.312a - Motorcycle Indorsement; Issuance, Suspension, Revocation, Cancellation, or Renewal; Special Restricted License to Operate Moped; Requirements; Expiration; Duration; Fees; Violation as Civil Infraction or Misdemeanor; Fines or Penal...

Section 257.312b - Motorcycle Endorsement; Examination; Motorcycle Safety Course; Waiver of Certain Tests; 3-Wheeled Motorcycle; Restriction; Establishing and Conducting Driving Skills Test; Rules; Audit of Motorcycle Safety Fund; Third Party Motorcy...

Section 257.312c - Motorcycle Endorsement; Application; Fees; Disposition of Money; Motorcycle Safety and Education Awareness Fund; Creation; Deposit of Money or Other Assets; Investment; Interest and Earnings; Money Remaining in Fund at Close of Fis...

Section 257.312d - Reference to Operator's or Chauffeur's License as Including Motorcycle or Vehicle Indorsement or Vehicle Group Designation.

Section 257.312e - Operation of Commercial Motor Vehicle; Vehicle Group Designation; Tests; Holder of Unexpired Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Qualifications and Fees for Vehicle Group Designation and Endorsement; Operation of School Bus; Except...

Section 257.312f - Vehicle Group Designation or Endorsement on Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Hazardous Material Endorsement; Vehicle Used for Farming Purposes; Age; Tests; Waiver; Seasonal Restricted Vehicle Group Designation; Conditions Prohibi...

Section 257.312g - Transportation of Hazardous Material; Hazardous Material Endorsement on Operator's or Chauffeur's License Required; Violation; Penalty.

Section 257.312h - Vehicle Group Designation and Indorsement on Chauffeur's License; Additional Fees; Duration of Indorsement; Disposition and Refund of Fees.

Section 257.312i - Pickup Truck With Fifth Wheel Assembly and Attached Semitrailer; R Vehicle Indorsement Required; Prohibition; Written Examination; Fee; Exemption.

Section 257.312j - Skills Testing of Individual Holding Valid Out-of-State Commercial Learner's Permit; Pilot Program.

Section 257.312k - Commercial Driver Licenses; Medical Certifications; Hazardous Material Endorsements; Pandemic Expiration Extension.

Section 257.313 - Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Loss, Destruction, Mutilation, or Illegibility; Duplicate; Proof.

Section 257.314 - Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Duration; Expiration; Identification of Licensee Less Than 21; Renewal; Extension; Pandemic Expiration Extension.

Section 257.314a - Repealed. 1978, Act 139, Eff. May 1, 1979.

Section 257.314b - Repealed. 2004, Act 362, Imd. Eff. Oct. 4, 2004.

Section 257.315 - Operator's and Chauffeur's License; Change of Address; Notice; Use of Residence Address on Qualified Voter File; Failure to Report Change; Violation; Penalty; Nonappealability.

Section 257.316 - Operator's or Chauffeur's License; Filing and Indexing Applications; Records.

Section 257.316a - Repealed. 1990, Act 188, Eff. Aug. 15, 1990.

300-1949-III-CANCELLATION-SUSPENSION-OR-REVOCATION-OF-LICENSES - Cancellation, Suspension, or Revocation of Licenses (257.317...257.323d)

300-1949-III-VIOLATION-OF-LICENSE-PROVISIONS - Violation of License Provisions (257.324...257.329)