Having your driver’s license revoked is one of the many penalties that come with an OWI conviction in Michigan. When your license is restored, you may have a new appreciation for the privilege of having a valid driver’s license.
However, the process of getting your driver’s license restored can be long and complex. It is important to understand how the process works and the required steps so that you are ready to act when you qualify for restoration.
The steps to restore your driver’s license could be different depending on the circumstances of your driver’s license suspension. Generally, the process is more complicated if you are a habitual offender, meaning your license has been revoked in the past. The process is often simpler for first-time offenders.
Driving without a license
Losing driving privileges can significantly complicate your life. One of the biggest mistakes people make is also rather simple: driving without a license.
If you are like most people, you need your car to get to work, run errands or meet family obligations. You might feel like you can get away with driving on a suspended or revoked license, especially if you tell yourself that you will only do it “when necessary.”
This is a mistake. One wrong move could result in you getting pulled over and you will likely be charged with driving while your license is suspended or revoked. This conviction adds time to your revocation period.
Not completing other requirements
Not following through with probation or treatment requirements is another common mistake. Regaining your driving privileges requires you to show that you have successfully completed all requirements of your probation or sentence.
If you are sentenced to probation, you must typically show that you have completed the probation period and had no violations. Having just one violation during your probation period could push back your driver’s license restoration date, even if you ultimately complete probation.
Waiting until the last minute
Plan in advance. Getting your license restored requires a lot of documentation. The specific documentation required depends on your case.
Even though you must wait to begin the license restoration process, you can begin gathering documentation immediately. Learn what documentation you need and have it ready when the time to start the process comes.
People who wait until the time to restore their license arrives before learning about and gathering necessary paperwork will almost certainly wait longer.
When it is time to start the restoration process, submitting incomplete or inconsistent paperwork can cause your restoration petition to be denied. Review all answers in your paperwork and ensure you have followed all instructions correctly. Pay attention to any instructions, such as notarizing documents.
Failing to prepare for your restoration hearing
You will eventually have a reinstatement hearing. A wrong answer to a question you were not ready for could result in a bad outcome. Prepare for your case and have an idea of what questions you will be asked and how to answer them.
Knowing what mistakes to avoid and having a basic understanding of the process is important. But since the steps can vary for everyone, having guidance with each step can decrease your chance of delays or problems that can slow down the process.