If your Michigan driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, you may be struggling with serious life disruptions as a result. Fortunately, driver’s license restoration lawyer Shaun Marks has 28 years of experience and can help you restore your driving privileges.
If you moved to a different state while your license was invalid, you have likely discovered that you need to restore your Michigan license before you can get a new ID in your new state of residence. The state of Michigan must release the hold placed on your license before you can do so. Attorney Shaun Marks can also help release this hold and help you get back on the road, even if you are no longer a Michigan resident.
What Is a Driver’s License Hold in Michigan?
All 50 states share information regarding driving privileges. This means that if your license was suspended or revoked in Michigan, you will not be able to apply for a license in another state until your license has either been restored or the term of the suspension has expired.
This driving information is shared between states at the federal level via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA has a division known as the National Driver Register (NDR), which contains a database called the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS).
When someone applies for a license in a new state, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Secretary of State (SOS) runs a PDP database search to make sure the driver is eligible for a license. If your license has been suspended or revoked in Michigan, it will show up as a “hold” in the database and you will not be eligible for a new license in any of the other 49 states.
The same applies to new residents of Michigan who have suspended or revoked driver’s licenses in other states. In this scenario, you need to restore your driver’s license in your original state before the state of Michigan will issue a new license.
Administrative Review vs. In-Person Drivers License Restoration Hearings
The restoration process begins with requesting an administrative hearing from the Michigan Department of State Office of Hearings and Administrate Oversight. If approved, an in-person hearing is typically scheduled. However, those who now live out of state qualify for something called an administrative review.
If you qualify for administrative review, you may submit all required forms and documents through the mail. Once received, the Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight will review the file and make their decision by mail. If your restoration is approved, the hold on your license will be lifted and you will not be required to return to Michigan for an in-person hearing.
If the administrative review application is denied, you may then request a driver’s license restoration hearing as a second option. You may need to return to Michigan for this hearing, but some jurisdictions may allow you to attend through teleconferencing.
What to Submit For an Administrative Review
The required documentation for an administrative review is the same as an in-person hearing. You will need to submit several documents and forms. In addition, you will need to submit clear and convincing evidence of the following:
- Your problems with alcohol and/or substance abuse are now under control and likely to remain that way.
- There is a low to minimal risk that you will drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs again.
- You are able and motivated to drive safely and follow the law when behind the wheel.
- You have abstained from alcohol and drugs for at least one year.
In most cases, a substance abuse evaluation form is a key piece of evidence when attempting to prove the above four points. This form usually includes your substance abuse history, as well as information about your support network and how they are helping you stay sober. You will also need to submit a 12-panel drug screen.
This hearing also typically requires three to six reference letters from friends, family, and coworkers who can attest to the last time they witnessed you using drugs or alcohol. These letters can also mention positive changes that the references have noticed since you began abstaining. Along with these letters, you should submit documents that prove your sobriety, such as proof of attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Learn More From Michigan Drivers License Restoration Lawyer Shaun Marks
With a 94% success rate in driver’s license restoration cases, driver’s license restoration lawyer Shaun Marks can help guide you through the process of getting your license back in Michigan, even if you have moved out of the state. Contact Shaun today at (866) 969-4891 to learn more.
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Attorney Shaun Marks had received his Juris Doctor degree with Cum Laude honors from the Detroit College of Law in 1994. He received his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Michigan-Flint. He has served in the U.S. Air force Security Police and as an Assistant city Attorney for the City of Flint. He has also worked in the office of former U.S. Senator Donald Riegle. Attorney Marks has successfully represented thousands of clients in criminal matters in state and federal courts across Michigan.
