Upper Peninsula and Northeast Michigan residents attend Road to Restoration clinics, learn how to regain driving privileges

Free driver’s license restoration clinics hosted last week in St. Ignace, Newberry, and Alpena 

LANSING, Mich. – Experts with the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) and volunteer attorneys provided driver’s license restoration assistance and support at three Road to Restoration clinics in the Upper Peninsula and Northeast Michigan last week. Clinics were held in St. Ignace on May 6, Newberry on May 7, and Alpena on May 9.  
 
“We know there’s a great need for driver’s license restoration services that help people in the UP and Northern Michigan return to safe driving,” said Abigayl Venman, director of the Road to Restoration program. “Michiganders without a valid driver’s license in northern and rural communities face disproportionate burdens when it comes to everyday essentials like getting to work, seeing a doctor, and picking up their children from daycare or school. We’re grateful to our devoted staff, volunteers, and local partners that help us equip clinic participants with a plan of action to regain their driving privileges.” 
 
Volunteer attorneys and MDOS staff met one-on-one with Road to Restoration clinic attendees to check their current license status, answer questions about their next steps, and provide services like vision testing and the written driver’s exam on site. Participants also learned about the administrative hearings process at information sessions held at the clinics.  
 
Local partners for last week’s clinics were the Kewadin Event Center in St. Ignace, Pentland Township Hall in Newberry, the Alpena Events Complex (APlex), United Way of Northeast Michigan, Chippewa Mackinac Luce Community Action Agency, and the 92nd District Sobriety Court. State Road to Restoration partners include the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Michigan WORKS!, Michigan Association of United Ways, Detroit Justice Center, DTE Energy, Miller Canfield, and Michigan 2-1-1.  
 
Now in its fourth year, the Road to Restoration program has hosted over 65 clinics across the state and provided one-on-one assistance to over 10,000 Michiganders. This innovative program was created to help more than 150,000 people newly eligible to regain their driving privileges after changes to state law in 2021. As of April 2, about 3,000 more Michiganders are now eligible to apply for a driver’s license under Public Act 42 of 2024. The new law repealed the state’s 3-year ban on individuals cited for driving without a license to apply for license reinstatement. 
 
Road to Restoration clinics are free of charge, but some participants may be required to pay past fines. The clinics do not provide DUI expungement services and license reinstatement is not guaranteed.  
 
The program will return to the UP this fall, with clinics scheduled in Ironwood on Sept. 9, Ontonagon on Sept. 10, and Marquette on Sept. 17. Upcoming clinics in Northern Michigan include Gladwin on June 6, and Roscommon on Oct. 2.  
 
For more information about the Road to Restoration program, to find a clinic near you, or to sign up for an upcoming clinic, visit Michigan.gov/R2R or dial 2-1-1.  

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