Department of State, community partners serve Upper Peninsula residents at three Road to Restoration clinics

LANSING, Mich. – Last week, nearly 100 residents of the Upper Peninsula attended one of  three U.P. Road to Restoration clinics to learn the steps they can take to restore their driving privileges. The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) and community partners hosted clinics in Hancock, Kingsford, and Marquette, serving a total of 98 participants.  

The Road to Restoration program, now in its third year, has provided expert guidance to over 9,000 people across the state. This is the second year the Road to Restoration clinics have been held in the U.P. 

“I am grateful to our community partners for bringing another successful round of Road to Restoration clinics to the Upper Peninsula,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “The program continues to meet people where they are and help them with the support they need to safely return to the road. I’m happy to see how our program is changing the lives of Michiganders across both peninsulas.”  

Volunteer attorneys and MDOS staff met one-on-one with attendees to check their current license status, answer questions on how they can safely return behind the wheel 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.   

"The value of every aspect that this event brings to our community is beyond measure,” said Judy Aho, talent services manager with Upper Peninsula Michigan WORKS!. "People are overwhelmed with not understanding how to, or where to go to get their questions answered. To have free advice available is absolutely crucial to giving them hope that there is a chance of regaining their driver's license, which in turn gives them access to more employment opportunities." 

“Driving in Michigan is so important, and we recognize that if a resident doesn't have their license, it can sometimes be a complicated process to redeem it,” said Abigayl Venman, director of the Road to Restoration program at MDOS. “We created the Road to Restoration clinics to provide as many resources as possible at one location. Residents can come to a safe space in their community where they can receive access from the Michigan Department of State triage team members and volunteer attorneys as well as the mobile Secretary of State unit." 

"I felt like there was no hope for me. That is why coming here helps so much. I got a new understanding of the steps I need to take to get back onto the road safely,” said Cheryl Plank, who attended the clinic in Marquette. "It's been an emotional roller coaster for me but getting the knowledge from the attorneys have really helped because I have not had that chance before. Talking with them today has really helped me because I see the steps I need to take further to help me be a success."

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. The clinics are free of charge, but some participants may be required to pay past fines.

The U.P. clinics were operated in partnership with Michigan 2-1-1, Michigan Department of Attorney General, Detroit Justice Center, DTE Energy, Michigan Association of United Ways, Michigan WORKS! Association, Miller Canfield, Northern Michigan University, Marquette County Office of the Public Defender, Michigan Army National Guard, City of Hancock, City of Kingsford, and City of Marquette.

More than 10 Road to Restoration clinics have been held in Michigan so far this year. Upcoming clinics currently scheduled for 2024 include:   

• Aug. 28 – Dearborn Heights    

• Sept. 13 – Kalamazoo   

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