License to drive: Rural Michiganders in the UP are getting back on the road thanks to state program

When you live in rural Michigan and you lose your driver’s license, you often lose access to employment, childcare services, and other critical parts of a productive life. This state-run program helps drivers get back behind the wheel with free legal and educational assistance.

Last week, nearly 100 Michiganders in the Upper Peninsula attended one of three “Road to Restoration” clinics, where volunteer attorneys and state government staff helped them learn how to get back behind the wheel.

“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 the Michigan Department of State (MDOS), in a recent press release.

People lose their driver’s licenses for many reasons—from having too many unpaid parking tickets to violating the rules of the road—but figuring out how to reinstate their driving privileges can be confusing. That’s especially true in rural regions, where access to legal advice is limited. 

“People are overwhelmed with not understanding how to, or where to go, to get their questions answered,” said Judy Aho, talent services manager with Upper Peninsula Michigan WORKS!, in the release. 

Not having a driver’s license also makes getting or keeping a job more difficult. 

”To have free advice available is 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.”

That’s where the Road to Restoration program can make a big impact. Established in 2021, the clinics provide services like vision testing, written driver’s exams, and information sessions about the administrative hearings process. 

“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 on 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 has really helped because I have not had that chance before.”

The UP clinics were hosted in Hancock, Kingsford, and Marquette. Nearly a dozen Road to Restoration clinics have been held across the Great Lakes State so far this year. Over the next month, two more clinics are currently scheduled—one in Dearborn Heights on Aug. 28 and one in Kalamazoo on Sept. 13.

License reinstatement is not guaranteed—but program managers say the clinics’ access to insights and expertise is impacting local residents. 

“The value of every aspect that this event brings to our community is beyond measure,” said Aho. 

For more information about the Road to Restoration program, to find a clinic near you, and to sign up for an upcoming clinic, visit Michigan.gov/R2R. A list of their frequently asked questions can be found here.