Losing your Driving Privileges
In Michigan, the privilege to drive is often overlooked or taken for granted. That is, until you lose it. Drivers who have multiple drunk driving convictions or driving while their license is suspended may automatically lose their privilege to drive in Michigan.
Depending on the situation, your license may be restricted, suspended, or even revoked. With a restricted license, you may only drive under the terms and conditions listed on the restricted license. With a suspended license, your driving privileges have been taken away for a period of time, ranging from days to years. However, a revoked license means you have lost all driving privileges.
If your license has been revoked you must wait for one to five years before you are eligible to are eligible for a driver’s license appeal hearing with the Secretary of State Administrative Hearings Section.
The Department of State Traffic Safety Division may also impose driver’s license restrictions, suspensions, or revocations after a driver assessment re-examination. These actions will depend on such things as the type of violation or unsafe driving behavior involved, your willingness to comply with the recommendations and requirements made during the assessment, and your driving record. The Traffic Safety Division may conduct a re-examination if there is a reason to believe you are unable to safely operate a vehicle due to health matters (if you have a physical, visual, or mental condition that makes it unsafe for you to operate a motor vehicle), car/vehicle accident or crash involvement (including if you have been involved in a fatal accident), or an unsatisfactory driving record. The purpose of the re-examination is to discuss driving performance, determine the necessary or appropriate licensing controls, and encourage driver improvement.
Restoring Your Driving Privileges
If you have lost your driving privileges due to drunk driving convictions, you may be eligible to apply for a license reinstatement through the Secretary of State. Individuals that have had their driver’s licenses suspended or revoked due to drunk driving convictions are required to apply for and attend a hearing with a Secretary of State Hearing Officer.
There are specific application requirements in order to obtain a hearing. If you do not meet these requirements when applying the Secretary of State can deny your application, deny you a hearing, or grant you a hearing and you may be denied at that hearing. If you are denied at that hearing you are required to wait another year before applying for another hearing. Further, any testimony or documents you submit on your behalf for that hearing will be binding on any and all future hearings. For example, if you state that you attended AA for five years, but you truly only attended for three years. If you provide testimony that you only attended for three years or submit contradictory information, the Hearing Officer will deny you your license, and you are bound by that decision and information for any future hearings that you try and get your license back during. Therefore, it is extremely important to get it right the first time.
The process for an application can be extremely difficult and confusing. The Secretary of State forms are not meant to be easily followed. Our driver’s license restoration attorneys break down the application process and walk through the forms step by step with you. We don’t expect you to do this on your own, that’s what we are here for. Every step of the way our attorneys will be walking you through this process and filling out the information for you, correctly.
Additionally, the Secretary of State made a change in their requirements last year to require a 12-panel drug test instead of a 10-panel drug test. Many individuals contacted our office after they tried to do this process on their own and did not know that this change took place, they were subsequently denied because of it.
Let us worry about the Secretary of State requirements, forms, and applications. With over 50 yearsof experience, we know how to successfully present your case to put you in the best position possible to get back on the road.