The only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan seems to be a good choice for people who love to live along the freshwater shorelines. Interestingly, you cannot be more than 85 miles away from the shorelines, if you are anywhere in the Great Lake State. If that’s what called you to the state of Michigan, or the fact that it is a booming automobile hub, the people of Michigan are all set to welcome you with open arms. But relocating to a different place isn’t necessarily such an easy process. You need to look at so many things from setting up your house to updating your change in address on all necessary paperwork.

Among the others, getting your driver license updated and changing address on your vehicle registration are important formalities that need to be taken care of. And especially when you are moving to a state like Michigan which expects you to get these documents in place as soon as you move, it is important for you to be prepared. But you don’t need to worry or add on to your stress, as we have here a list of all the necessary information that you need to get yourself prepared for updating your driver’s license and vehicle registration records. Let’s get going and get your documents in place in no time!

Obtaining A Driver’s License When Moving to Michigan From Another State

You surely need to keep this task among the top few on your to do list, as the state of Michigan expects you to get yourself a new license as well as get your vehicle registered as soon as you move into the state and establish your residency. Getting a new license when you move into Michigan from another state is mandatory. There isn’t a specific grace period allotted and that is why you need to tick this task off your list at the earliest.

As of now at least, there aren’t any online or over the phone alternatives available for you to get a new driver’s license in Michigan. You will have to visit the nearest Michigan Secretary of State office in-person and apply for your new license. Here’s all the information you would be needing.

1. Apply For A Change Of Address (Getting A New License)

You need to get your current out of state driver’s license converted to Michigan license, if you plan on becoming a resident and drive on the roads of the Great Lake State. And remember to get this done within the first few days of your move as the Michigan DMV requires you to get yourself a new license as soon as you move into the state as a resident.

As mentioned before, you will have to go to a Michigan Secretary of State office in-person to apply for your new driver’s license. Remember to carry all the required documents given below:

  • Your current out of state driver’s license.
  • Proof of Identification (US Passport or Birth certificate would work).
  • Social security number proof.
  • Proof of legal presence in the United States, if you are a non-citizen (US Passport, Birth Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship are some of the accepted documents among others).
  • Proof of Michigan residency (At least 2 documents – Your Current Bank Statement, Utility Bill, or Pay Stub from new Michigan address, etc).

As long as your current out of state license is valid and has not expired, you may not have to give a written test and a road test. However, you may have to pass a vision test and if your current out of state license has expired, you will be required to give all these tests. Your license would be valid for a period of 4 years and shall expire on your birthday.

You will be charged a standard fee of $25 for getting a new operator driver’s license in Michigan. The fee would vary depending on the type of license that you would want. You can check the state’s official website for additional information on the fee structure.

2. Register Your Vehicle In Michigan

Just like you need to get your Michigan license as soon as you move into the Wolverine State, you also need to get your vehicle registered at the earliest. The reason behind that is because the Michigan Department of State expects you to get these documents in place as soon as you establish your residency in the state. You will have to head to your nearest Michigan DMV office in-person and get your vehicle registration done.

Make sure to keep all these documents handy when you are registering your vehicle at the Michigan Secretary of State branch office:

  • Proof of Identification.
  • Your current out of state vehicle title.
  • Proof of Michigan no fault Insurance.
  • If there is more than one owner of the vehicle, then all the owners need to be present. However, if one of the owners is not able to be there, then an Appointment of Agent form must be presented.

Note: If your out-of-state vehicle title is being held by a lien holder, then the Michigan DMV would be issuing a ‘Foreign Ownership – Registration Only’ registration for the vehicle. For this, you would need to take along your out-of-state registration and proof of Michigan no fault insurance and then you will be issued license plates without converting your out-of-state title to a Michigan title.

Do you need proof of insurance to register a car in Michigan?

Yes, you do. In Michigan, you do need to provide proof of their no-fault insurance and only then will you be able to register your car.

Can you update your Michigan DMV change of address online?

No, if you’re moving from another state to Michigan. However, if you’re moving within the Great Lake State, then you can update your change in address online through the official state website.

I changed my USPS address. Will it update my driver’s license records?

No, it won’t. You have to change your address on both independently since changing it on one does not automatically change it on another.

Can you drive with a foreign driver’s license in Michigan?

You require a valid license issued by a government agency either from a US state or another country (in English, or with a translation) to drive legally in Michigan.

Registration fee: The standard fee for getting a Michigan Vehicle Title is $15. But this may vary with the kind of title you need. You can check the official website of Michigan DMV to get a detailed breakdown.

Related: How Much is to Move Out of State?

Obtaining A Driver’s License When Moving Within Michigan

Whether you’re moving to Michigan from another state or are planning a move within the state itself, the time period for getting your driver’s license and vehicle registration updated remains the same. The Michigan DMV expects you to update these documents as soon as you move from your previous location. This does not give you much scope to delay and it is advisable that you get going on this process at the earliest.

You have 3 ways of getting your address updated on your driver’s license and vehicle registration in Michigan. You can either do it through Michigan DMV’s online service called ExpressSOS, or you could send your change of address form by mail. You can also visit a Michigan Secretary of State office near you and submit your change in address form. You could choose the method that’s the most convenient for you.

Make sure you have these documents ready, as you will need them to change your address on your Michigan driver’s license:

  • Your current driver’s license or personal ID Card.
  • Your Change of Address form.

1. Online

If you have too many things on your plate but still need to get your driver’s license updated at the earliest, then doing it online could be a convenient method for you. The Michigan DMV uses an online service called ExpressSOS, through which you can complete multiple services including updating your change in address.

To get the address on your driver’s license updated:

You do not have to pay any additional fees to change your address on your driver’s license when you’re moving within Michigan. But what you just need to do is, fill their Change of Address form available online.

To update your registration:

You do need to notify the Michigan DMV for a change in address on your vehicle registration. However, you need not go through a different process again as updating your address on your Michigan driver’s license will automatically update your vehicle registration records as well, as soon as all system upgrades are completed. Just keep your change in address form and your current driver’s license handy when you’re notifying the Michigan DMV about your change in address.

How long does it take to get a Michigan driver’s license in the mail?

According to the estimate mentioned on Michigan DMV’s website, it will take around 3 to 4 weeks for your driver’s license to arrive via mail. However, if you’re moving within Michigan, then you will not be issued a new driver’s license. But instead, you will be provided with a sticker that has your new address and you can stick that to the back of your driver’s license or personal ID card.

2. By Mail

Another convenient way of getting your address updated on your Michigan driver’s license is through mail, if you prefer so. You just need to fill a change of address form and mail it to Michigan Department of State, PO Box 30764, Lansing, MI 48918.

3. In Person

If you trust the reliability of getting things done in your presence, then you can also visit the Michigan Department of State office branch near you and fill the address change form in-person.

See also: List of Top-rated Local Moving Companies

When You’re Moving Out Of Michigan

Already, with a list of things that need to be taken care of, one thing that you need not worry about when you are moving out of Michigan to another state is, notifying the Michigan DMV about your move. There is no obligation for you to inform the Michigan Department of State when you’re moving to another state, even if your car is registered in Michigan. Once you get your license from the new state of residence, your Michigan driver’s license will automatically be cancelled.

Conclusion

It is good practice to keep all your documents up to date as you may be in need of them even when you weren’t expecting so. Apart from being a prerequisite for being able to drive, a driver’s license is also used as an important source of document for many purposes, which only adds more reason for you to keep it updated with the correct information, especially when you move from a place to another. Michigan has a very easy to follow process to get your driver’s license and vehicle registration updated, so don’t wait any further and get your documents in place at the earliest.

Also Read: Moving To Michigan – Relocation Guide