Chris Swope, Lansing City Clerk; Yvonne Young McConnell, Senior Analyst, Customer Service Administration, Michigan Department of State; Kyle Dymond, Assistant Administrator, Michigan Department of Treasury and Linda Lee Tarver, Community Affairs Director, Michigan Department of State spent a day helping citizens understand issues surrounding suspended licenses.
By Deborah M. Walker
Having a suspended license comes as an inconvenience to many drivers. Not only are citizens banned from driving, but if caught, they face hefty fines and even jail time. Knowing the rights and responsibilities associated with a suspended license can save time and money.
To help those without a license, the Davis Dunnings Bar Association hosted a community outreach event on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at the Capital Area District Library, Downtown Branch. Their goal was to help people get back on the road.
“We’re hosting the driver’s license restoration seminar with the Secretary of State and the Department of Treasury. It’s really the Secretary of State that came in and explained some of the new laws that are in effect. The unit is basically a mobile office. They met with individuals and printed out their driver’s record and also printed out the things they need to take care of and explained to them their next steps,” said Brian Jackson, Davis Dunnings Bar Association Outreach Co-Chair.
The seminar and mobile unit helped those in need of a driver’s license by answering personalized questions. In addition, the mobile unit was able to renew licenses and qualify drivers on the spot. For those in need of additional assistance, the mobile unit was able to print out free license statuses for drivers and even complete driving records for individuals for a small fee.
The seminar covered an array of topics including personal identification cards, driver’s licenses and vehicle title restoration. However, the main concern was on suspended and revoked licenses. Linda Tarver, Director of Community Affairs & Integrity for the Michigan Department of State said there are a number of reasons a person’s license can be suspended. The first thing a driver should do is find out why their license is suspended.
“So there’s multiple reason a person’s license can be taken away. For example, there are points. If a person accumulates 12 or more points they will get a suspension to be called in… Some people are suspended because they didn’t pay a ticket. In that case, pay the ticket and then your license will be restored,” said Tarver.
“There are two things that you can do to find out what’s going on with your license,” said Tarver. “You can go to a Secretary of State Office and pay for your own driving record…or you can go to any Secretary of State Office and asked for a free status. It will not be a full driving record; it will just be a status of your driving record. If your status is clear it will say you’re clear. If it’s suspended it will just say that you’re suspended and here’s why.”
Once an individual has their driving record, or their status, they can learn the nature of the suspension or revocation and go from there said Tarver.
Tarver said the seminar was helpful for a number of reasons. Individuals were able to get detailed information they may otherwise not had access to. Individuals were also able to ask personalized questions and get expert advice.
“We had different experts who spoke about driver’s responsibility. We had some experts from the office who helped navigate individuals through the process. The resources that we had at the event, you will not be able to get necessarily over the counter at the branch office,” said Tarver.
Overall the seminar was a success said, Robert Gatt, who provided customer service for the mobile unit. Gatt said he was able to help people and at least get them back on the right track.
“Today I’ve dealt with a lot of folks that have problems with their driver’s license being administratively denied, revoked, or having outstanding tickets or driver’s responsibility fees that they need to take care of,” said Gatt.
At the seminar, individuals had a variety of questions ranging from the consequences of suspensions, to questions about accidents and driver responsibility fees. Tarver said driver’s responsibility fees were a big topic of concern. Often times those who are assessed the fees are confused and unsure why the fees were there.
Driver’s responsibility fees were established under the Jennifer Granholm Administration as a way for the state to earn revenue. Tarver said the fee is nothing more than a tax that is in addition to the cost of the ticket. It is the Department of Treasury that actually does the collection for the driver’s responsibility fee.
Tarver said the fees were set up to be a two tier system. One tier for the ticket that was issued and the other tier for the points accumulated on the license.
“If you have 6 points on you record for speeding tickets, improper turns, or something like that you would not qualify. Once you get 7 points for certain minor civil infractions then you could be assessed,” said Tarver.
Some situations, such as drunk driving, allows for the fee to be assessed after just one offense.
There have been recent changes to the law. As of January 1, 2015, there are certain convictions that are no longer assessed the driver’s responsibility fee such as no proof of insurance. For those who have lingering tickets for no proof of insurance, they can have the fee reduced or removed through community service. Tarver said there are a limited amount of tickets that qualify for that.
Tarver said some situations are complicated and may need legal assistance. There are even some suspensions or revocations that may be appealed through the Department of State or the Circuit Court.
“Sometimes people have multiple drunk driving convictions and they may need to secure legal assistance. If they had a difficult time getting and understanding their path to full licensure we do encourage them to contact Legal Aid, or maybe find out if there’s an attorney they can work with,” said Tarver
“If you have a drunk driving conviction where there are drinking and alcohol or drugs involved, you would have to appeal through the Department of State for a hearing officer and that process is a little more complicated.”
Tarver said for a person convicted of drunk driving, an alcohol assessment would have to be done. Support from the community, such as Alcohol Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, attendance sheets will have to be produced. Tarver said cases are looked at on an individual bases. It is not a one size fits all when it comes to driver’s license restoration.
For those looking to cut corners and drive on a suspended license beware, there are ramifications and consequences for doing so. Jackson said those who continue to drive on a suspended or revoked license face criminal prosecution every time they get behind the wheel. If they get caught just once or twice, they are further back from having their license restored.
Jackson said it is important to stay on the move and having a license not only provides a convenience it improves the quality of life for drivers.
“There are obviously so many benefits to being mobile, especially in Lansing during the winter time when CATA service may not be as regular as some of the larger cities. People who are without a license are at a disadvantage if they are trying to go to work or to school…whatever it may be,” said Jackson.
Not having a license can wreak havoc on a person’s life. Shubi Goins, who visited the mobile unit, said he has been without a license for nearly 2 years. Goins said he still does not understand why the ticket was issued because he was not at fault.
“I was sitting in front of a business, the police pulled up behind [me]. He smelled alcohol on my breath. I had drunk the night before so he cut my license up right there. The key wasn’t even inside the ignition,” said Goins.
Goins said he did not fight the ticket in court. He has been assessed driver’s responsibility fees, although he was not sure the amount. Goins said he will call the Secretary of State to find out more about the fees.
Goins said being without a license has made his life harder. Getting around is more difficult and having to rely on others in a nuisance.
“I can’t get to my appointments. It’s really affected me bad,” said Goins.
The mobile unit and seminar was there to help people like Goins. He was able to get information about the ticket and directions as to what to do next.
Tarver said it is the goal of the Secretary of State to help get people back on the road. Although a person’s license is suspended, there is still help available.
“Our goal is to make sure that our Michigan citizens are restored to driving. We want people driving. So we want them to have a license and have a clear and full license,” said Tarver.
To find out more about the Secretary of State or the services they provide, visit their website at www.michigan .gov/sos or call 1-888-SOS-MICH.
This article was printed in the March 8, 2015 – March 22, 2015 edition.
