Let’s suppose that you have a revoked driver’s license because you have a number of drunk driving convictions. You have made the decision to try to reinstate your Michigan driver license. What evidence can be presented at your license reinstatement hearing?
You should realize that your hearing is very similar to a trial. Quite simply, a hearing officer acts as the judge. The hearing officer listens closely to your testimony, reviews your evidence and finally makes the decision as to whether or not you will be given another opportunity to drive.
Your situation may be very different from someone else. The evidence that you submit should be designed to specifically support your case for Michigan driver’s license restoration. Now, let’s go over some typical examples of evidence that may be submitted in support of your driver’s license reinstatement case.
If you attended an alcohol or substance abuse treatment program and you successfully completed it, you will want to submit this information to the hearing officer. This illustrates that you received professional help and treatment for your alcohol problem. Don’t overlook that the most important thing is to persuade the hearing officer that you have your alcohol problem under control and it will stay under control. Treatment records help prove this fact.
If you have attended Alcoholics Anonymous, you will definitely want to present these records. For example, let’s assume you attended AA once or twice a week for 1.5 years. You will want to submit all of your AA sign-in logs. These records will be very beneficial in documenting your commitment to staying sober. Most likely, you will have to demonstrate 6-to-12 months of sobriety prior to the hearing.
You will also want to obtain letters from a sample of people such as family, friends, and coworkers (if possible). A letter from an AA sponsor can be very helpful in your hearing. These letters are essential in convincing the hearing officer that you’ve changed your ways, are now sober and are unlikely to repeat the act of drinking and driving from now on. If you’ve made substantial changes to your life after you become sober, the letter writers can also demonstrate this.
Another important piece of evidence is the substance abuse evaluation. You will want to get this from a qualified substance abuse evaluator. This is very important because your evaluator will provide a diagnosis as to your condition. The evaluator will provide his/her opinion as to the probability of you remaining sober for the long haul.
You’re entitled to one hearing per year to reinstate your driving privileges. Thus, it is crucial to provide all evidence which supports your case.
