Michigan House Bill HB5768

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Traffic control: driver license; instruction in work zone safety; require. Amends secs. 309 & 310e of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.309 & 257.310e) & adds sec. 309a. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5767'26

Summary

HB 5768 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to add a new driver-education requirement focused on work zone safety. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Secretary of State could not issue an operator’s license unless the applicant has completed a department-approved work zone safety education course. The course must be at least 30 minutes long, developed with the Department of Transportation, and offered either online or through an approved driver education program. It must cover how to identify and navigate construction zones, protect drivers and workers, understand legal penalties for work zone violations, and drive safely around construction equipment and personnel. The bill also makes conforming changes to existing licensing provisions. It requires proof of work zone safety course completion before issuing a license, and it waives that requirement for applicants who already hold a valid, unrevoked license from another state or country. In addition, the bill ties the new requirement into Michigan’s graduated driver licensing system by requiring level 2 drivers to complete the work zone safety course before receiving that status. The bill leaves the rest of the graduated licensing framework largely intact, including age thresholds, supervised driving requirements, nighttime and passenger restrictions, and penalties for violations.

Impact

HB 5768 would amend sections 309 and 310e of the Michigan Vehicle Code and add a new section 309a, creating a new statewide licensing prerequisite tied to work zone safety education. It would affect new driver applicants, driver education providers, and the Secretary of State’s licensing process by requiring documentation of course completion before license issuance, and by integrating the course into the level 2 graduated licensing step. The bill would also require the department to develop and maintain a standardized curriculum and could involve coordination with the Department of Transportation, law enforcement, and other stakeholders. Its effective date is tied to enactment of HB 5767, meaning it would not take effect unless that companion bill becomes law.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available record. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be framed as a traffic safety and driver education initiative rather than a controversial policy change. The overall sentiment inferred from the proposal is generally preventive and safety-oriented, with the goal of reducing crashes and improving awareness in construction zones.

Contention

The main policy question raised by the bill is whether a new mandatory work zone safety course should be required for all new drivers and for level 2 graduated license applicants. Potential points of contention include the added administrative burden on the Secretary of State, the need for curriculum development and verification systems, and whether the requirement should apply to all applicants or only certain classes of drivers. Another possible issue is the tie-in to HB 5767, since HB 5768 cannot take effect unless the companion bill is enacted, making the measure dependent on related legislation.