The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) wrapped up a fourth year of the successful Road to Restoration program with the final clinic of the season hosted at Hype Athletics in Dearborn Heights October 15. With the continued support of the program’s private and public partners, driver’s license restoration clinics were held in over 30 Michigan communities across both peninsulas and served more than 4,100 Michiganders in 2025.   

“Our Road to Restoration program changes people’s lives for the better,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “In just four years, our community partners, staff, and volunteers have created a lifeline for thousands of Michiganders. We meet people where they are, providing personalized information and a path forward. Our free clinics help participants get off the hamster wheel of fines and fees so they can return legally and safely to the road. Thank you to everyone involved in making this year so successful. We look forward to another strong year in 2026.”   

“Our state and community sponsors, volunteer attorneys, and site locations are what makes this program a success year after year,” said Abigayl Venman, the Road to Restoration director. “Michigan is a driving state, and its residents need to safely be in the driver’s seat. We're dedicated to keep showing up where people need us the most – right in the neighborhoods they call home.” 

At the final 2025 clinic in Dearborn Heights, volunteer attorneys and MDOS staff met one-on-one with 337 attendees to check their current license status, answer questions about their next steps, and provide services like vision testing and the written driver’s exam on site. Participants also learned about the administrative hearings process at information sessions held at the clinic. ? 

“I was determined to get my license straight,” said Kandice Griffin of Detroit, who received her temporary instruction permit (TIP) at the Dearborn Heights clinic after passing the written knowledge test while on site. “It was important for me to be here today. I was not going to leave here until I got my license taken care of. I had to retake my test all over again, my written test, and I passed, may God be the glory. I can say I got my license back due to Road to Restoration. I want to thank everybody that took part in this – my heart goes out. I'm truly thankful. I'm blessed.” 

—First time at Detroit’s Eastern Market 

A Road to Restoration clinic held for the first time at Detroit’s Eastern Market on Sept. 25 had the highest turnout of the season, guiding 373 Michiganders through the steps they need to take to return to the road. Twenty-six clinic attendees rang a bell to celebrate the reinstatement of their driving privileges. 

“It's been a hard journey with commuting every day, getting up to go to work on other people’s time,” said Minyetta Nelson, who received her TIP at the Detroit clinic. “That is very hectic and very time consuming and then very irresponsible to be on other people’s time. All I had to do was sign up, come down, talk to the people, get whatever assistance you need, utilize it, and now I walked out of here with my license. Now, it doesn’t matter about what I paid. It doesn’t matter about my tickets. It doesn't matter about how much time I spent down here. It matters about the relief that I feel, the joy that I feel, the excitement that I feel when I walk out of here knowing that I have my license." 

“I am very grateful I found out about this, said Natasha Coleman, an attendee of the Detroit clinic. “From what I hear, it takes people a long time to get their license back. I am grateful to be able to come here and figure out what I need."

Coleman is now just one step away from regaining her ability to safely return to the road, with one remaining ticket left to pay. 

 —Three clinics in the Upper Peninsula 

This year, Road to Restoration visited the Upper Peninsula for the third time since its launch, hosting clinics in Ironwood, Ontonagon, and Marquette. 

"It is a very small community, lots of rural areas with not so much internet sometimes,” said Andrea Ravoyr, manager of the Secretary of State branch office in Bessemer. “So, this is a really good opportunity for people to be here and find out more about what they can do to get their license back. It is a fabulous set up, all the wonderful staff that are here are knowledgeable to help people.” 

Since 2022, the Road to Restoration program has hosted more than 100 clinics across the state and provided one-on-one assistance to over 13,500 Michiganders. This innovative program was created to help more than 150,000 people to regain their driving privileges?after changes to state law in 2021 made them newly eligible. About 3,000 more Michiganders gained eligibility to apply for a driver’s license on April 2 when?Public Act 42 of 2024 repealed the state’s three-year ban for people cited for driving without a license.?

Road to Restoration partners include the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Michigan WORKS!, Michigan Association of United Ways, the Detroit Justice Center, DTE Energy, Miller Canfield, and Michigan 2-1-1.

To learn more about the Road to Restoration program, visit Michigan.gov/R2R.

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