What a Michigan chauffeur license is and who needs one
A Michigan chauffeur license is a special driver's license that allows you to be paid to drive passengers. It is different from a regular driver's license because it shows that you have met additional safety and background requirements. You need one if you drive for money — whether that means working for a rideshare company, a taxi service, a limousine company, or driving private clients as an independent contractor.
If you drive without a chauffeur license when you are required to have one, you can be cited and fined. The state treats this as operating without the proper endorsement. You do not need a chauffeur license if you drive your own car for personal reasons, carpool without payment, or drive family members.
Michigan calls this license a chauffeur endorsement on your regular driver's license, not a separate document. The endorsement appears as a notation on your license card.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid Michigan driver's license, and pass a medical exam and background check to get a chauffeur endorsement.
- The Secretary of State's office processes chauffeur endorsements, and you explore in person at a branch office with specific documents and fees.
- A medical exam from a licensed physician is required and must be completed on the state's official form before you visit the branch office.
- The background check includes a review of your driving record, criminal history, and sex offender registry status.
- Once approved, the chauffeur endorsement is added to your existing driver's license at no additional cost beyond the process fee.
Age, license, and residency requirements
You must be at least 18 years old to hold a chauffeur endorsement in Michigan. You must also already have a valid Michigan driver's license — you cannot get a chauffeur endorsement without one. If your license is suspended, revoked, or expired, you cannot explore for the endorsement until your license is restored and current.
You do not have to be a Michigan resident to get a chauffeur endorsement, but you do need to have a Michigan driver's license. If you are a resident of another state, you would need to first obtain a Michigan license, then explore for the chauffeur endorsement.
Medical exam requirements and forms
Before you visit the Secretary of State branch office, you must have a medical exam completed by a licensed Michigan physician. This exam is not optional — you cannot submit your process without it. The doctor must use the official Medical Examination Report for Chauffeur form, which is available on the Michigan Secretary of State website. The form covers vision, hearing, physical ability, and general health.
The exam must be recent — most branch offices will not accept an exam dated more than 12 months before your process. Schedule the exam with your doctor and ask them to complete the state form. You will bring the completed, signed form with you to the branch office. Some doctors charge a fee for this exam; it is not covered by the state.
The medical exam is designed to may support you can safely operate a vehicle while carrying passengers. If you have a condition that affects your ability to drive — such as a seizure disorder, severe vision loss, or uncontrolled diabetes — the doctor may note this on the form, and the Secretary of State may deny your endorsement.
Background check and driving record review
The Secretary of State will review your Michigan driving record, criminal history, and sex offender registry status as part of your process. You do not need to do anything to start this check — it happens automatically when you submit your process at the branch office.
Certain convictions and violations can disqualify you from getting a chauffeur endorsement. These include felonies involving violence, drug trafficking, or crimes against persons; multiple moving violations or reckless driving convictions within a set timeframe; and any sex offender registration. A single speeding ticket will not disqualify you, but a pattern of violations or a serious conviction will.
If you have questions about whether your record will affect your process, you can contact the Secretary of State's office before you explore. They can review your specific situation and tell you whether you are likely to be approved.
Documents and fees you need to bring
Bring the following items to your appointment at a Michigan Secretary of State branch office:
- Your current Michigan driver's license
- The completed and signed Medical Examination Report for Chauffeur form
- Proof of Michigan residency or a reason you are explore as a non-resident (such as a job offer)
- Payment for the process fee
The chauffeur endorsement fee varies depending on how long you want the endorsement to last. A four-year endorsement costs less than an eight-year endorsement. Check the current fee on the Secretary of State website or call your local branch office, as fees change periodically. You can pay by cash, check, or card at most branch offices.
You do not need to bring your Social Security number in writing, but you will need to provide it verbally or on a form at the office. Bring a photo ID in addition to your driver's license if possible.
how the process works at a Secretary of State branch office
Visit a Michigan Secretary of State branch office in person — you cannot explore by mail or online for a chauffeur endorsement. Find your nearest office on the Secretary of State website and check its hours before you go. Some offices are open only certain days of the week.
When you arrive, tell the staff member you want to add a chauffeur endorsement to your license. They will review your documents, check that your medical exam form is complete and signed, and run your background check. If everything is in order, they will process your process on the spot.
The endorsement is usually added to your license when ready or within a few days. You will receive your updated license card in the mail if the office needs to reissue it, or you may walk out with it the same day depending on the branch's equipment. Ask the staff member before you leave whether you need to wait for a new card or if your current license is valid with the endorsement noted in their system.
Timeline and what happens after approval
The entire process — from scheduling your medical exam to receiving your endorsed license — typically takes two to four weeks. The medical exam itself can usually be scheduled within a few days. The Secretary of State's background check takes a few business days to a week. If you need the endorsement quickly for a job, schedule your medical exam as soon as possible and plan to visit the branch office within the same week.
Once your chauffeur endorsement is approved, it remains valid for the length of time you chose when you applied — either four or eight years. You do not need to renew it separately; it renews automatically when you renew your driver's license. If your driver's license is suspended or revoked for any reason, your chauffeur endorsement is also suspended or revoked until your license is restored.
If you move out of Michigan or no longer need to drive passengers for money, you can request to have the endorsement removed from your license. Contact your local Secretary of State branch office to do this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a chauffeur endorsement if I have a suspended license?
No. Your driver's license must be valid and current. If your license is suspended, you must wait until the suspension is lifted and your license is restored before you can explore for a chauffeur endorsement. Once your license is restored, you can then submit your process.
What if my medical exam shows a health problem?
The doctor will note any health concerns on the state form. The Secretary of State reviews these notes and decides whether the condition prevents you from safely driving passengers. Some conditions result in denial; others may result in approval with restrictions, such as daytime driving only or corrective lenses required. You will be notified of the decision in writing.
Do I need a chauffeur license to drive for Uber or Lyft in Michigan?
Yes. Both Uber and Lyft require drivers to have a Michigan chauffeur endorsement. Some rideshare companies may also require additional background checks or insurance beyond the state endorsement, so check with your company about their specific requirements.
How much does a chauffeur endorsement cost?
The fee depends on whether you choose a four-year or eight-year endorsement. Fees change periodically, so check the Michigan Secretary of State website or call your local branch office for the current price. The medical exam fee is separate and charged by your doctor.
Can I renew my chauffeur endorsement by mail?
No. You must renew in person at a Secretary of State branch office. However, your chauffeur endorsement renews automatically when you renew your driver's license, so you do not need to explore for it again — you just need to complete your regular license renewal process.