Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Your License Back

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planning: The moment that you are notified by the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) Department that your license has been revoked or denied, you need to start thinking about how you can get it back, or at least receive a restricted license.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.