Department of State, partners to bring successful driver's license restoration clinics to Upper Peninsula for the first time

Pre-registration now open for three free Road to Restoration clinics in July 2023

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of State, along with partners in the public and private sectors, will host the Upper Peninsula’s first Road to Restoration driver’s license clinics in Marquette, Escanaba, and Sault Ste. Marie this July. Road to Restoration clinics help Michiganders with a suspended driver’s license learn how to take the necessary steps to restore their driving privileges. Pre-registration for the U.P. clinics is now open at Michigan.gov/RoadtoRestoration.
 
“The positive impact of the Road to Restoration program is palpable and we’ve worked hard with state and local partners to bring our clinics to residents of communities in the U.P.,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Helping people get safely back behind the wheel clears the way for them to get better jobs, travel with their families, and drive to stores, restaurants, and leisure activities. When we can help people restore their driver’s license it kicks off an economic ripple effect felt throughout the communities we serve and the entire state.”
 
The Road to Restoration program will make the following stops in the U.P.:
 
Marquette – July 10
Northern Michigan University – NC Ballroom IV
1401 Presque Isle Ave.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
 
Escanaba – July 12
Delta County Chamber of Commerce Center
1001 N. Lincoln Rd.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
 
Sault Ste. Marie – July 14
Lake Superior State University – Norris Center
1000 Meridian St.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
 
The Road to Restoration program was created after changes to state law in 2021 lifted suspensions for drivers who failed to pay tickets or court fines or failed to appear in court for certain non-moving and other violations. While the new laws removed suspensions for more than 150,000 Michiganders, many must still take further action to get their driver’s license restored.
 
Since the program’s launch in 2022, more than 6,000 affected Michiganders have participated in Road to Restoration clinics throughout the state. Each clinic is equipped to provide immediate access to driving records and many Secretary of State office services, including the written driving test, to help people get back behind the wheel as quickly as possible. Participants leave Road to Restoration clinics with a plan to return to the road after taking additional steps based on their personal case, or in many cases, with a driver’s permit in hand.
 
Road to Restoration clinics are free to attend, however, residents may be required to pay outstanding fines or fees before their license can be reinstated. The clinics do not provide DUI/OWI expungement services and license reinstatement is not guaranteed.
 
The expansion of Road to Restoration clinics to the Upper Peninsula is possible through an innovative public-private partnership that includes the Department of Attorney General, DTE Energy, Miller Canfield Law Firm, Detroit Justice Center, Michigan Association of United Ways, Michigan 2-1-1, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!, Northwest Michigan Works!, and Delta County Chamber of Commerce.
 
Space for the clinics may be limited. Pre-registration is highly recommended. Registration details and more information can be found at Michigan.gov/RoadtoRestoration or by calling 211. 
 

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