Michigan Department of State, partners serve over 250 participants at Flint Road to Restoration clinic

FLINT, Mich. – Today, over 250 participants at the Flint Road to Restoration clinic, hosted by Michigan Department of State (MDOS) and community partners, learned the steps they need to take to restore their driving privileges. 

The clinic was held at the Flint Farmers' Market, where expert MDOS staff and volunteer attorneys met one-on-one with attendees to check their current license status, answer questions on how they can safely return to the road, and provide services like vision testing and the written driver’s exam on site. The clinic is free of charge, however, some participants may be required to pay past fines. This is the second clinic held in Flint since the Road to Restoration program launched in 2022.   

“In Michigan, a valid driver’s license is essential for people to get to work, take kids to school, or to see a doctor,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “We’re proud to have our Road to Restoration clinic back in Flint today to give people the support they need to get safely back behind the wheel.” 

The Road to Restoration program is a public-private partnership created after state laws that took effect in 2021 lifted license suspensions for drivers who failed to pay tickets and court fines or who failed to appear in court for certain non-moving violations. MDOS canceled infractions on the driving records of more than 350,000 Michiganders under the law, but many people still need to take additional steps before their driving privilege can be restored. Road to Restoration clinics assist people with that process, helping them determine their current status and identifying the actions they must take before they can legally drive. More than 8,000 Michiganders have attended a Road to Restoration clinic in communities all over the state.  

“Not having a driver's license takes away that independence,” said Chadette Barnes of Bay City, who attended today’s clinic. “It makes you super depressed. It gives you anxiety. It just hurts to know that this is still lingering. However, coming in today really brought up my hopes... it feels like a new rejuvenation for me that I can do this on my own.” 

Today’s clinic was operated in partnership with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Flint Farmers' Market, City of Flint, Michigan 2-1-1, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Michigan WORKS!, Detroit Justice Center, DTE Energy, Michigan Association of United Ways, and Miller Canfield.  

“We've been super excited to work with the Secretary of State. This partnership, we know from feedback in the community, that it's a really big need and it's a significant barrier to stabilizing households when people can't get their licenses back,” said Jill Nylander, executive director of Legal Services of Eastern Michigan. “We have had several staff who've been working closely through those partnerships to bring the Road to Restoration clinic back to Flint. We’re super excited to have it here and look forward to doing some follow up work with applicants who need their packets reviewed before they actually file for their hearing,”  

“We are expanding access to not only the government but to answers,” said Rubina Mustafa, senior staff attorney with the Detroit Justice Center. “We serve primarily as an information service and helping clear the confusion that most people have and even taking down the fear of engaging the government because most people are afraid, they don't understand, and they feel justifiably like that they're being targeted. This is a way to wash away that confusion, clear up some questions and give them some real steps to get their license restored, or at least understand why those barriers are there in the first place.” 

Wednesday’s clinic was the seventh Road to Restoration clinic in the state this year. Upcoming clinics currently scheduled for 2024 include:   

• June 18 – Detroit   
• July 16 – Petoskey    
• July 18 – Gaylord   
• Aug. 13 – Houghton   
• Aug. 14 – Kingsford   
• Aug. 16 – Marquette   
• Aug. 28 – Dearborn Heights   
• Sept. 13 – Kalamazoo    

For more information about the program, to find a clinic near you, or to sign up for an upcoming clinic, visit Michigan.gov/R2R or dial 2-1-1. Space for clinics may be limited and pre-registration is strongly recommended. The clinics do not provide DUI expungement services and license reinstatement is not guaranteed.