State officials teamed have up with local leaders to help Benton Harbor residents get on the path to restore their driver’s licenses.
The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) and Michigan Department of Attorney General brought the latest Road to Restoration free driver’s license clinic to McCoy’s Memorial Church of God in Christ in Benton Harbor. Partway through the day, officials on-site reported they had assisted at least 75 residents in getting on the path toward a restored driver’s license.
For Pastor Steven McCoy and organizer Yolanda Thrash, the event was all about helping their neighbors. At the same time as the license clinic was happening, the church also hosted a COVID-19 vaccination clinic, flu shot clinic and voter registration event.
“That’s easy,” said McCoy, in response to being asked why he wanted to host the event. “To help the residents of Benton Harbor. We look at it as a service to the community.”
At the license clinic, residents could purchase a copy of their driving record at a mobile Secretary of State booth and consult with an attorney on how they can gain their license back.
“Without great reliable public transportation across the state, having a driver’s license really makes a difference,” said Michigan Department of State Deputy Chief Katie Doyal, at the event. “For people who have had their license suspended, restricted, or revoked, it can be a pretty daunting process to work on getting your driving privileges back. … It’s a really challenging and often emotional theme for a lot of people, understandably, because it changes your way of life.”
Last year, changes in 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 lifted suspensions for more than 150,000 Michiganders, many must still take additional steps to restore their license.
The Road to Restoration clinics assist drivers in navigating the new laws and help them identify what they should do to get back behind the wheel. The clinics focus on non-moving violations and do not provide DUI expungement services.
“Folks here in Benton Harbor have been very receptive,” Doyal said. “We feel very welcomed here, and we’re glad to be able to provide assistance for the people of Benton Harbor.”
