Special and Immediate Need Testing

Agency: Secretary of State

The Bureau of Driver and Vehicle Programs offers two types of Special Need Testing - Oral and Interpreter.  These types of exams are offered to those individuals who have reading or language barriers.  Those individuals who do not read or comprehend well may request and schedule an oral (audio tape) exam while those with language barriers (those having a limited understanding of the English language) may have an interpreter read the test to them. 

Important Notes: 

• Oral (audio tape) and Interpreter testing is offered by appointment only in Lansing. 
• An interpreter must be a person who has never been involved in the field of automotive repair or related occupations.  Interpreters are at the expense of the tester and may be a family member, friend, or professional foreign language Interpreter.
• Individuals who require a sign-language interpreter may be eligible for assistance through the Bureau under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• A prospective interpreter must sign a "Translator Agreement" certifying that their assistance will be limited to reading or translating the test items only.   No explanations of the test items may be provided.  Other conditions will apply.

Immediate Need Testing 

Immediate need testing is offered to select individuals where test(s) are taken and same-day scoring, along with licensure, is available.  Immediate need testing is only administered through the Bureau of Driver and Vehicle Programs located in Lansing, Michigan.  Immediate need testing is applicable to those that: 

• Have a written offer of employment through a currently registered repair facility that you will lose if you do not become certified and licensed quickly.
  
• You are a registered repair facility owner that has lost his certified technicians in specific certification categories and you, the owner, needs to become certified quickly to remain in compliance with the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (PA 300 of 1974). 

Immediate need testing does not apply to individuals who: 

• Have allowed their mechanics license to expire. 
• Have allowed their certification categories to expire. 
• Have allowed their Trainee Permit categories to expire. 
• Are currently certified or have a trainee permit in one or more certification categories. 

Individuals not meeting the requirements of Immediate Need Testing may qualify for a Mechanic Trainee Permit.  A mechanic trainee may perform repairs only in the categories listed on the permit under the supervision of a mechanic who is currently certified by the State of Michigan in those repair categories. 

Contact the Business Licensing Section at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424) to find out if you qualify for Oral, Interpreter, or Immediate Need Testing. 

Further mechanic test issues should be directed to: 

Michigan Department of State
Bureau of Driver and Vehicle Programs
Lansing, MI 48918-1200
Telephone: 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424)
Fax: (517) 335-2810