When it comes to former Michigan resident license restoration, if you’ve received multiple DUIs in Michigan and then moved to a new state, you still need to fight your driver’s license restoration case with the Michigan Secretary of State before you’re cleared to get a license in your new state of residence.
All states have access to a national driver registry. So you cannot outrun a revoked license simply by moving. Even if you’re no longer a Michigan resident, the driver’s license reinstatement process follows a fairly consistent set of rules. So you need to present your evidence and testimony in almost the same exact manner as you would if you were still a Michigan resident, with a few notable exceptions.
To give yourself the best possible chance of clearing your revoked Michigan driver’s license so you can apply for an out of state driver’s license in your new home, it’s important to avoid these mistakes.
Not Understanding How the Driver’s License Reinstatement Process Works in Michigan
The driver’s license restoration process in Michigan follows a fairly consistent set of rules and procedures. In order to achieve a positive outcome, you need to prove your sobriety and your ability to operate a vehicle safely going forward. This usually means that you need to present evidence and testimony that show you’ve addressed the underlying issues that led to your DUIs in the first place.
Evidence can include a drug screen, counselor evaluation, AA attendance logs, and letters of support from members of your community. However, the exact items you need to support your case can vary based on your specific situation. So it’s a good idea to have a lawyer by your side with experience in the driver’s license restoration process in Michigan. They can walk you through all of the essential steps and pieces of evidence you’ll need to secure a positive outcome.
In addition, all driver’s license restoration cases in Michigan require the petitioner to attend a hearing where they present testimony and answer questions. However, if you’ve moved out of state and are not able to attend the hearing in person, you can usually set up a video conference to present your case remotely. You also have the option of an Administrative Review, which is a review by mail. If not successful, you can then request a hearing. Your Michigan license reinstatement attorney can help you make all of the arrangements and ensure that all of your evidence and materials make it safely to the Secretary of State. With a clear understanding of the rules and procedures, you can more easily plan and navigate all of the requirements of your case, giving you a better chance of winning.
Not Having a Good Enough Former Michigan Resident License Restoration Case to Present
The purpose of the driver’s license restoration process in Michigan is to determine whether or not the person in question has addressed their substance abuse issues and maintained their sobriety consistently for a prolonged period of time. That’s why you need to wait at least a year before even requesting a driver’s license restoration hearing, or more if you have more than two DUIs.
Even if you’ve waited for that length of time and even if you are currently sober, your case may not have enough evidence and support to receive a positive verdict. Every case is different. So some may require extra steps like AA attendance or letters from sponsors or counselors. Your driver’s license restoration attorney can help you figure out what items are essential for your specific case and let you know whether or not your current evidence seems strong enough to win.
However, even if you don’t currently have a strong enough case, that doesn’t mean you can never win back your driving rights. You may simply need a bit more time to gather extra evidence, change your current situation, or prolong your sobriety.
Giving Up Before You Start
Some drivers assume that they simply cannot win back their driving rights after multiple DUIs. However, this process is set up to give drivers a chance, as long as you’ve actually done the work to get sober and address any underlying problems that led to those DUIs. Plenty of drivers have been able to successfully win back their rights, even those with several DUIs on their record and those who have had relapses throughout the process. In fact, the Secretary of State doesn’t necessarily even take the circumstances of your initial DUI cases into account. It’s more about your current state and your ability to stay sober moving forward.
It’s natural to get discouraged throughout the process. But if you have a support system around you that understands the process and can help you gather all of the necessary evidence, you’ll have a much better chance of sticking with it and winning your case. Additionally, you have no chance of winning if you don’t even try. Since driver’s licenses are never automatically restored once they’ve been revoked, you need to stick with the process even when you don’t feel a ton of hope.
Not Working With an Established DUI Driver’s License Restoration Lawyer in Michigan
Your driver’s license restoration attorney can be invaluable throughout this process. These hearings with the Secretary of State or sobriety court are different than standard court cases. So it’s important to work with someone who has worked on cases like yours in the past.
You do have the option of representing yourself in your former Michigan resident license restoration case. But it can be difficult to navigate all of the ins and outs of the law even when you’re in Michigan. An experienced attorney is even more important when you’re attempting to get an out of state driver’s license, since they can help you manage the logistics in addition to giving you a deeper understanding of the law and the situations surrounding your particular case.
