Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.308

Sec. 308. (1) The secretary of state shall not approve the application of a person who is 17 years of age or less for an operator's license unless the application is signed by the parent or guardian of the applicant and the person has satisfied the appropriate requirements of section 310e, or if the person does not have a parent or guardian, then a license shall not be granted to the person unless the application is signed by another responsible adult and the person has satisfied the appropriate requirements of section 310e. (2) This section does not apply to minors emancipated under 1968 PA 293, MCL 722.1 to 722.6.