Road to Restoration driver's license clinic serves more than 200 in Grand Rapids

The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) along with state and community partners hosted a Road to Restoration driver’s license clinic in Grand Rapids yesterday. More than 200 West Michigan residents attended the clinic to get information on the restoration process and to take steps toward restoring their driving privileges. The Grand Rapids clinic was hosted by LifeQuest Urban Outreach with local partners Heart of West Michigan United Way, 61st District Court, 63rd District Court, and 17th Circuit Court.

In 2021, changes to state law lifted suspensions for drivers who failed to pay tickets or court fines or failed to appear in court for certain non-moving and other violations. While the new laws removed suspensions for more than 150,000 Michiganders, many must still take further action to get their license restored. At each clinic, residents meet one-on-one with expert staff to learn what they need to do to get back behind the wheel and complete as many steps as possible on site. Road to Restoration clinics were previously held in Grand Rapids in early 2022.

“One of our very first Road to Restoration clinics was here in Grand Rapids last year and we’re proud to be back again with our dedicated staff, partners, and volunteers,” said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Michigan residents eligible to regain their license under the new laws can come to our clinics for personalized guidance and a plan of action for safely returning to the road. We are making government work for the people of Michigan by bringing services directly to communities all over the state and it has made a meaningful difference in thousands of lives so far.”

Now in its second year, the Road to Restoration program is a successful public-private partnership that has served more than 4,500 Michiganders at 20 clinics in 11 cities. The clinics are made possible by numerous statewide partner organizations including the Michigan Department of Attorney General, DTE Energy, Miller Canfield, the Detroit Justice Center, the Michigan Association of United Ways, and Michigan 2-1-1.

The next Road to Restoration clinic will be April 12 in Lansing. Additional clinics are scheduled this year in Kalamazoo, Detroit, Downriver, Mt. Pleasant, Alpena, Traverse City, and the Upper Peninsula.

For more information about the program, to find a clinic near you, or to sign up for an upcoming clinic, visit Michigan.gov/RoadtoRestoration or dial 2-1-1.

The clinics do not provide DUI/OWI expungement services and license reinstatement is not guaranteed.