PRESS RELEASE
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
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This week, more than 110 people received free, expert advice on how to regain their driver’s license at Road to Restoration clinics in Petoskey and Gaylord. The program, hosted by the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) and community partners, is now in its third year and more than 9,000 people have attended a clinic to learn the steps to regaining their license.
Volunteer advocates and MDOS staff met one-on-one with participants to review their current driver’s license status, answer questions about how to safely get back behind the wheel, and provided services such as vision screenings and the on-site written driver’s license test. Participants also learned about the administrative hearing process during information sessions at the clinics.
“A valid driver’s license is essential for Northern Michigan residents to be able to get to work, school, medical appointments and their everyday needs,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Our Road to Restoration clinics provide people with one-on-one sessions tailored to their personal circumstances. Together with our valued community partners, we have helped thousands of Michiganders drive safely again.”
“As people live in rural communities with very limited public transportation, regaining driving privileges for those in recovery is an important step in their journey to recovery,” said Caitlin Koucky, executive director of the Community Recovery Alliance (CRA), a lead partner of the two clinics. “Driving not only gives people back a sense of freedom, but it also opens up important employment opportunities and makes it easier to attend health, family and legal appointments, all of which are important to building a sustainable life in recovery.”
“One of the problems we have here in Petoskey is we don’t have public transportation, so we’re here to try to get people their driver’s license back so they have transportation options to find better employment in the future,” said Stephanie Hector, peer recovery coach and program coordinator at CRA. “I hope this event answers any questions and breaks down the barriers for people to get their license because that builds their independence and really builds their own character.”
The Road to Restoration program is a public-private partnership that was created after state law took effect in 2021 that lifted license suspensions for drivers who failed to pay traffic tickets and court fines or failed to appear in court for certain non-traffic violations. MDOS has expunged violations from the driving records of more than 350,000 Michiganders under that law, but many people still need to take additional steps before their driving privileges can be restored. The clinics are free, but some participants may have to pay past fines.
This week’s clinics were in partnership with the City of Petoskey, City of Gaylord, CRA, Harbor Hall, Northern Michigan Opioid Response Consortium, Petoskey Library Notary, Smart Start, Michigan Indian Legal Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Michigan Department of Attorney General, Michigan 2-1-1, Michigan WORKS!, Detroit Justice Center, DTE Energy, Michigan Association of United Ways, Miller Canfield, Behavior Health Group, Women’s Resource Center, Face Addiction Now, Angel Program/Michigan State Police, Catholic Human Services, Up North Prevention, Habitat for Humanity, Nationwide Interlock, Ronan’s Place, Community Mediation Services, Grandma’s Purse, Otsego Food Pantry, Versiti Blood Drive and 217 Recovery.
This week’s clinics were the ninth and tenth Road to Restoration clinics in the state this year. Upcoming clinics currently scheduled for 2024 include:
- 13 August – Hancock
- 14 August – Kingsford
- August 16 – Marquette
- August 28 – Dearborn Heights
- September 13 – Kalamazoo
Click here or call 2-1-1 for more information about the program, to find a clinic near you, and to register for an upcoming clinic. Space for the clinics may be limited and pre-registration is strongly recommended. The clinics do not provide services to expunge DUI charges and driver’s license reinstatement is not guaranteed.
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