July 15, 2003

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that a new driver’s license testing procedure will enhance security and lessen the chances of fraud, especially important concerns in an era of heightened national security.

Residents age 18 and over applying for their first driver’s license or a commercial driver’s license (CDL) will be given a written knowledge test generated by computer.

Applicants at a Secretary of State branch office will be handed a test whose questions have been chosen randomly from a computer database. This ensures that no two tests are the same. Land explained that computer-generated tests will improve efforts to eliminate driver’s license fraud and reduce costs for the Department of State.

"We are always on guard against these few who try to beat the system," Land said. "But America’s need for enhanced security demands that state agencies fulfill their missions with additional vigilance. This new system adds one more layer of protection. It also cuts costs by eliminating our need to keep a secured inventory of test forms and answer keys."

Computer-generated tests are now in place at all Secretary of State branch offices after being successfully piloted in January.

Previously, the number of different versions of each exam was limited due to the need to keep a secured inventory of tests and answer keys. The computer-generated tests eliminate the need for an inventory and allow for an almost limitless number of test variations because the computer draws from a large pool of questions. Test questions are reviewed and updated as needed.

Residents applying for an original driver’s license are given a 40-question, multiple-choice test to assess their understanding of basic traffic laws and safe driving practices.

CDL applicants are given a 50-question, multiple-choice, general knowledge test. Additional tests are required if the commercial vehicle is equipped with air brakes, or if the driver will be operating a tanker or double tanker, hauling hazardous materials, or is responsible for transporting 16 or more people.

The new testing procedure does not apply to Michigan residents under age 18. Teen drivers fulfill state testing requirements through the Michigan Graduated Driver Licensing program.

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