MDOS, partners host first driver’s license restoration clinic of 2026 in Ypsilanti

Road to Restoration program in 5th year helping residents restore driving privileges

YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) launched the fifth round of the Road to Restoration program with a clinic at Washtenaw Community College's Parkview Community Center in Ypsilanti on March 5 where department staff, partners, and volunteer attorneys assisted over 100 residents with specific pathways toward restoring their driver's license and returning to the road. The program continues to reach more residents each year. Since launching in 2022, it has helped over 13,500 Michiganders at more than 100 clinics across the state.

"We're excited and grateful to launch our fifth year of the groundbreaking Road to Restoration program," said Abigayl Venman, MDOS Road to Restoration director. "With support from our dedicated state and local partners, we provide free resources, legal guidance, and expert driver's license restoration advice throughout the state. We look forward to another year of successful clinics that have already assisted thousands of residents in their license restoration journey."

In collaboration with Michigan 2-1-1, the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Detroit Justice Center, Michigan Association of United Ways, Michigan WORKS! Association, and Miller Canfield, MDOS will hold free clinics in 18 communities statewide to assist Michigan residents in understanding how to get their driving privileges restored.

"Having a driver's license allows Michiganders to get to work and care for their families, and the Road to Restoration Program has helped thousands of residents across our state safely return to the road," said Attorney General Dana Nessel. "I am proud of the work we have done to make this program a success, and I look forward to building on that progress in the year ahead."

"This event is very important to the community because it gives them access to resources from the Secretary of State. They assist many people with getting their license restored and other services, and they answer questions that they may not normally get addressed," said Jeanice Townend, managing coordinator for Washtenaw Community College's Parkridge Community Center. "We host events like this for the community to provide access to members that may not be able to get to the Secretary of State or other places that they need. This is the second year we've hosted a clinic. The state has been an excellent partner. We've received a lot of positive responses from the community about the different services that you all provide and we're just looking forward to growing the relationship."

The Road to Restoration program was created to help more than 150,000 Michigan residents 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 when Public Act 42 of 2024 repealed the state's three-year ban for people cited for driving without a license.

Clinics are scheduled for the following dates and locations in 2026:

• Friday, March 13 - Lansing
• Wednesday, March 18 - Benton Harbor
• Thursday, April 9 - Grand Rapids
• Tuesday, April 14 - Royal Oak
• Tuesday, May 19 - Gaylord
• Wednesday, May 20 - Traverse City
• Thursday, May 28 - Saginaw
• Wednesday, June 3 - Detroit (LA SED)
• Wednesday, June 10 - Big Rapids
• Thursday, June 11 - West Branch
• Wednesday, June 24 - Battle Creek
• Thursday, Aug. 13 - Kalamazoo
• Wednesday, Aug. 19 - Monroe
• Tuesday, Sept. 1 - Detroit's Eastern Market
• Wednesday, Sept. 9 - Bad Axe
• Tuesday, Sept. 22 - Houghton/Hancock
• Wednesday, Sept. 23 - Iron Mountain/Kingsford

Road to Restoration clinics are free of charge, but some participants may be required to pay past fines. The clinics do not provide DUI expungement services, and license reinstatement is not guaranteed.

For more information about the Road to Restoration program, to find a clinic near you, or to sign up for an upcoming clinic, visit Michigan.gov/R2R or dial 2-1-1.

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