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Michigan permit test: safe driver habits

Distracted driving and the hands-free law, seat belts, child restraints, unattended children and air bags. 17 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key safe driver habits rulesShow the rules
  1. In the quarter second it takes the brain to shift attention, a car moving at 65 mph covers about 24 feet. (p. 37)
  2. Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal; the fine is $100 for a first offense and $250 for later violations. (p. 37)
  3. Kelsey's Law covers GDL Level 1 and 2 drivers. (p. 38)
  4. A child in a rear-facing restraint may ride in the front seat only if the front passenger air bag is deactivated. (p. 39)
  5. Drivers exempt from the seat belt law for a medical reason must carry a doctor's statement. (p. 39)
  6. Everyone in the front seat must buckle up, and all passengers younger than 16 must be buckled up in every seating position. (p. 39)
  7. Michigan requires a child-safety or booster seat until a child reaches age 8 or a height of 4 feet 9 inches. (p. 39)
  8. Drivers are advised to sit with at least 10 inches between the breastbone and the steering wheel to reduce air bag injury. (p. 40)
  9. Parents are encouraged to seat all children ages 12 and younger in the rear seat to avoid injury from an air bag. (p. 40)
  10. Any safety seat involved in a crash should always be replaced, even if it looks undamaged. (p. 40)

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample safe driver habits questions

  1. 1.Every rear seat in your car is already taken by a child under 4. Where may another child under 4 ride?

    • ASharing a rear seat belt with a sibling
    • BNowhere; the trip is not allowed
    • COn an adult's lap in the back
    • DIn a child-restraint system in front
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. In a child-restraint system in front

    Children under 4 must ride in a rear seat if there is one, but if all rear seats are taken by children under 4, the child may ride in a child restraint in the front seat.

    Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133) (October 2025), page 39

  2. 2.Michigan law requires which passengers to be buckled up in every seating position, front or back?

    • AAll passengers younger than 16
    • BAll passengers younger than 21
    • COnly passengers younger than 4
    • DOnly passengers younger than 8
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. All passengers younger than 16

    Everyone in the front seat must buckle up, and all passengers younger than 16 must be buckled up in every seating position.

    Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133) (October 2025), page 39

  3. 3.A 17-year-old with a Level 3 license wants to take a call through a voice-operated, hands-free system. Is this allowed?

    • AOnly for calls from a parent
    • BOnly if a parent is in the car
    • CYes, Level 3 drivers follow the general law
    • DNo, Kelsey's Law bans all teen calls
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. Yes, Level 3 drivers follow the general law

    Kelsey's Law covers GDL Level 1 and 2 drivers. Teens with a Level 3 license follow the general cell phone law, which allows hands-free use.

    Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133) (October 2025), page 38

  4. 4.How should the lap part of a seat belt be worn?

    • ABehind your back for comfort
    • BLoosely, so you can lean forward
    • CLow across the hips, below the stomach
    • DAcross the middle of the stomach
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. Low across the hips, below the stomach

    Wear the lap belt low across the hips below the stomach, with the shoulder belt across the middle of the chest away from the neck.

    Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133) (October 2025), page 39