Escanaba driver?s license clinic sets local residents on Road to Restoration
ESCANABA, Mich.?? The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) joined partners in Escanaba on Wednesday, July 12, for a Road to Restoration driver?s license clinic hosted by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce. Wednesday?s clinic was the second of three Road to Restoration driver?s license clinics held for the first time in the Upper Peninsula.
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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.
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?This program continues to lift barriers, eliminate confusion, and meet Michiganders where they are to provide much-needed service,? said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. ?Our community partners, dedicated volunteers, and staff continue to step up for their neighbors, helping them get safely back behind the wheel and back to their lives.?
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Escanaba-area residents attended the clinic to meet with staff and volunteers to determine their pathway to reinstating their driver?s licenses. The program has served more than 7,000 Michiganders across the state since it was launched in 2022.
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?Without a driver's license I can't operate heavy machinery, and be hired for most construction jobs. I operated a forklift for about five years and had to stop once I found out my driver's license was suspended,? said Nick Wright of Escanaba. ?Not having a driver's license is affecting my ability to earn income and help my children get to school and doctor's appointments. I'm glad you're doing this. Anyone needing help to get their license back should come ? I highly recommend coming to talk with someone to get help. I now know the steps to get my driver's license reinstated.?
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The clinics are a successful public-private partnership that includes the Department of Attorney General, DTE Energy, Miller Canfield, Detroit Justice Center, the Michigan Association of United Ways, and Michigan 2-1-1.
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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 circumstances or, in many cases, with their restored driver?s permit in hand.
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The next Road to Restoration clinic will be held Friday, July 14, in Sault Ste. Marie at Lake Superior State University.
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The clinics do not provide DUI/OWI expungement services and license reinstatement is not guaranteed.
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Residents can learn more about the next Road to Restoration clinics at Michigan.gov/R2R.
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 Nick Wright of Escanaba received advice on what he needs to do to reinstate his license, which will help him get a job in construction
 Tracy Frehse of Iron Mountain took a written driving test at the clinic and, after passing, "rang the bell" signifying she was on her way to reinstatement
 Volunteers from the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress were on hand at the clinic to provide local support
 Visitors to the clinic had immediate access to many Secretary of State branch services
 All attendees met on-on-one with experts to go over their individual case and find out what specific steps they need to take?to get their driver?s license restored
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