Organization
Civilla
Client
Michigan Department of State
Background
Learning to drive in Michigan meant navigating three separate publications covering road rules, test prep, and parent guidance. Together, they totaled more than 150 pages and had grown into a system that was difficult to navigate, inconsistent, and hard to maintain.
The Michigan Department of State partnered with Civilla to rethink the experience with a clear goal: create simple, clear, and instructive guidance that prepares Michiganders to drive safely.
To achieve that, we transformed three disconnected manuals into one modern guide designed for clarity, accessibility, and ease of use.
The work also extended beyond the publication itself. We helped improve the governance process for how content is reviewed and updated, and developed an implementation plan to support statewide rollout.
Project Re:Route was about more than simplifying documents—it was about building a better system for public information.
61%
reduction in content.
2x
better understanding
60%
faster to find key driving info
Understanding the problem
Content Audit: Building a Shared Baseline
Before exploring solutions, our team conducted a comprehensive content audit to fully understand the existing landscape. We deconstructed more than 150 pages across the three publications into smaller content components and tagged each piece based on its purpose, including:
Rules and laws
Driving skills and techniques
Safety warnings
Administrative steps
General contextual information
We also analyzed how information was presented—long paragraphs, bullet lists, diagrams, charts, and images—to understand how format influenced usability.
This audit revealed:
Significant duplication across publications.
Misalignment and inconsistencies in terminology and guidance.
Outdated or incomplete information in key areas.
Dense, text-heavy formats that hindered comprehension.
Importantly, the goal of this phase was not to redesign immediately but to establish a shared understanding with MDOS stakeholders, ensuring alignment before moving into solution development.
Discovery research
Before moving into design, we conducted a discovery research phase to understand how Michiganders experience driver education and where the current system creates confusion. The goal was to ground the redesign in real user needs and ensure the final guide would support learners, parents, and providers throughout the licensing journey.
Research Approach
We used a mix of qualitative methods to capture both user and system perspectives:
Interviews: We conducted in-depth interviews with teen and adult learners, parents, driver’s education providers, and MDOS staff. These conversations helped us understand how the existing publications were used, the challenges people faced, and what information they needed most to feel confident navigating the licensing process.
Observational Research: We observed driver’s education providers and learners interacting with the materials in real-world learning environments. This allowed us to identify natural behaviors, workarounds, and moments of confusion that may not have surfaced through interviews alone.
Participant Groups
The research intentionally included a diverse set of stakeholders who interact with driver education materials in different ways:
Driver’s Education Providers – Subject matter experts who teach the content and understand what learners need to succeed.
Students (Teens and Adults) – The primary audience preparing for written and road tests.
Parents – Key partners in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) process who support and supervise new drivers.
MDOS Staff – Internal stakeholders responsible for maintaining and governing the publications.
Sprint-Based Process
The discovery phase was organized into focused research sprints to ensure depth while maintaining project momentum:
Providers & Adult Learners – Initial interviews and observations provided insight into instructional needs and real-world use of the publications.
Teens & Parents – Additional interviews captured firsthand experiences of those navigating the licensing journey.
Synthesis & Midpoint Review – Findings were synthesized into key insights and design directives, which were shared with MDOS stakeholders during a midpoint review to align on the path forward.
Designing the solution
A Unified Driver Education Guide
Guided by research and stakeholder collaboration, we consolidated the three publications into a single, cohesive guide aligned with the driver’s journey. Within that single publication, we built in a 'choose your own adventure' model. Right at the beginning, users identify where they are in their journey - under 18 getting a license for the first time, over 18 getting a license for the first time, or over 18 and previously licensed in another state or country. From there, they can navigate directly to what's relevant to them.
Design directives
Visual-First: Show it before you say it. Diagrams, illustrations, and step-by-step visuals should do the heavy lifting.
Concise: Cut everything that doesn’t earn its place.
Clear Direction: Structure content so learners never feel lost. At every step, they should know where they are in the process, what matters most, and what comes next.
Key Features
Streamlined information architecture aligned to the licensing process
Consistent terminology and tone
Visual diagrams and step-by-step guidance
Clearly defined roles for parents and learners
Integration of the most critical content from all three publications
Accessibility & Equity
Accessibility was central to the redesign, ensuring the guide could serve Michigan’s diverse population.
Translated into 8 languages to increase accessibility for non-English speakers.
5th-grade reading level to support comprehension across literacy levels.
WCAG-compliant design aligned with government accessibility standards.
Inclusive language and culturally considerate visuals.
Governance & Implementation
To ensure sustainability beyond the design phase, we developed a governance framework that included:
Defined roles and responsibilities across MDOS teams
Standardized content review and approval workflows
Maintenance and update guidelines
Cross-agency collaboration processes
A statewide implementation roadmap was also delivered, addressing printing, translation, staff training, communications, and evaluation.
Outcomes and impact
Quantitative Impact
Metric | Result |
Publications Consolidated | 3 → 1 |
Page Reduction | 153 → ~60 (61% decrease) |
Comprehension Rating | 2/5 → 5/5 |
Languages Supported | 8 |
Reading Level | 5th Grade |
Accessibility | WCAG-compliant |
Implementation | Begins May 2026 |
Qualitative Impact
Learners feel more confident navigating the licensing process.
Parents better understand their role in supporting new drivers.
Providers gain a consistent and effective teaching resource.
MDOS now has a sustainable governance model for maintaining publications.