Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Your License Back

Being convicted of multiple moving violations or for driving under the
influence (DUI) in Michigan will likely result in the temporary loss of your driver’s
license. As important as it may be to do all you can to prevent this suspension
or revocation in the first place, it may be just as crucial to know what
you need to do – or
not do – to get it back. The
Michigan driver’s license restoration process is not necessarily simple, and there are many opportunities to
make a mistake that prevents restoration.

If you are trying to have your license restored, be sure to avoid these
common mistakes:

1. Last-minute planning: The moment that you are notified by the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS)
   Department that your license has been revoked or denied, you need to start
   thinking about how you can get it back, or at least receive a restricted
   license. Some solutions are extremely time sensitive, such as signing
   up for a Sobriety Court program, so you have to plan ahead.
2. Violating probation: It is uncommon for a sentence that suspends a driver’s license to
   not also include some form of probation. If you have been given probation
   – this usually lasts at least one year in Michigan – it is
   imperative that you adhere to all of its requirements. Sometimes becoming
   intoxicated in public can violate probation, so be sure to review the
   restrictions before planning a night out.
3. Leaving AA early: An administrative judge will likely be the person you need to convince
   when attempting to gain a restricted license. If you want to gain his
   or her favor and show your commitment to safer driving practices, you
   can sign up for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and collect attendance records
   to show you were consistent.
4. Illegal driving: Getting behind the wheel after your driver’s license has been suspended
   is a misdemeanor crime that will likely extend the preexisting suspension
   upon conviction. Even if you need to drive somewhere for an absolute emergency,
   and the police acknowledge your reasoning as valid, you can still be arrested
   and charged.
5. Incomplete evaluation: To schedule a reinstatement hearing, you will first need to complete a
   substance abuse evaluation. Be sure to be upfront and honest during the
   evaluation or completing any forms, as any hint of dishonesty or undisclosed
   information will jeopardize your chances of getting back your license.
6. Missing integrity checks: Repeat DUI offenders in Michigan that want to restore their license must
   undergo elaborate urinalysis testing for drug and alcohol dependencies.
   One of the requirements the state enforces is a set of integrity variables.
   Submitting to a test without these variables will likely be considered
   unusable by the state.
7. Lack of documentation: You may actually be required to document your sobriety through the testimonies
   of friends, coworkers, and other people in your life. When you do collect
   a testimony letter to show at any hearing, it is helpful to have it notarized,
   dated, and signed.
8. Not paying IID taxes: If your sentencing requires you to have an ignition interlock device (IID)
   installed in your vehicle for a certain amount of time, it is highly likely
   that you will need to pay monthly taxes on the device. You can think of
   these taxes as an insurance policy; in case you break it, the government
   has made money off you to replace or repair it. Missing tax obligations
   for IIDs, or for failing any other IID report requirements, can prevent
   you from restoring your driver’s license.

All of these reasons can add up to a fairly complicated legal situation
when all you want to do is get back on the road again. To help get through
it without incident and with as little delays as possible, you should
contact White Law PLLC. Our Michigan driver’s license restoration attorneys,
who are headquartered in Okemos, are backed by 60+ Years of total legal
experience dealing with cases just like yours. Work with us today to see
how our knowledge and commitment can help you restore your suspended or
revoked license.