Driver’s License Restoration

Kalamazoo Driver’s License Restoration Attorneys

Reinstating Your Driver’s License in Kalamazoo and the Surrounding Areas

Long after you pay your fines and do your time, an operating while intoxicated (OWI) charge will have a rippling effect that will have long-term impacts on your life, including the loss of your driving privileges.

Losing your driving privileges is upsetting and can throw your life into disarray. However, there is hope for restoration. Since 1987, our Michigan driver’s license restoration attorneys in Kalamazoo have helped countless clients reinstate their driver’s licenses, even after they have been revoked.

Our driver’s license reinstatement lawyers represent Michigan clients in:

  • Calhoun County
  • St. Joseph County
  • Van Buren County
  • Berrien
  • Cass
  • Kalamazoo
  • Branch
  • Eaton
  • Ingham
  • Barry
  • Allegan
  • Ottawa

Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law is well-respected in the legal community. We are highly regarded for our dedication to our clients and our intellectual rigor in pursuing cases.

Our Michigan driver’s license restoration lawyers fight tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected, and we are prepared to use our skills and knowledge to help you get your driving privileges restored.

To learn more about how to restore your driver’s license, call our Kalamazoo criminal defense attorneys at 269-626-2296 or fill out a form online to schedule a free consultation.

How Do You Deal With OWI License Suspensions in Michigan?

If you are convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Michigan, your license will likely be suspended. If you have previous OWI convictions on your record or you have received 12 or more points on your driving record, you may have your license revoked.

This is a difficult burden as it impedes your ability to go to work or school, take care of your family, and complete necessary errands and tasks. It is especially burdensome if you have a job that requires you to drive.

At Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law, we know that your driver’s license is incredibly important, and you need it restored as quickly as possible. Our criminal defense attorneys are aggressive and prepared to fight for your driving privileges. We don’t back down, and we can’t be intimidated. When you need someone on your side looking out for your best interests, call our law firm.

Our Kalamazoo law firm can also help with the following related issues:

  • Denied driver’s license due to previous OWI convictions
  • Suspended or revoked license violations
  • Ignition interlock violations
  • Ignition interlock removal
  • Driver assessments

How to Restore Your Driver’s License in Michigan

With a license suspension, your driving privileges are withheld for a set period. After your suspension period is up, you must pay a reinstatement fee to have your license restored. Subsequently, the court may then impose restrictions on your license for an additional length of time.

For example, after a first OWI offense, your license will be suspended for 30 days, and then restricted for a further 150 days. After you have successfully made it through the suspension and restriction periods, completed all associated court-ordered conditions, and paid all reinstatement fees, your full driving privileges will then be restored.

Restricted licenses typically allow an individual to drive to and from:

  • Employment
  • School
  • Court-ordered counseling
  • Court-ordered alcohol treatment
  • Other activities authorized by the court

When your license is revoked, your driving privileges are fully terminated. With OWI license revocations, your license will be revoked for a minimum of one year for a first offense, and a minimum of five years for a subsequent offense.

In order to have your license reinstated after an OWI license revocation, you will need to wait until the revocation period has ended and then apply for a hearing with the Administrative Hearings Section. These hearings are often referred to as AHS hearings. In some cases, you will be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car as a condition of your license restoration.

Do you have questions about getting your driving rights back? Contact Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law for a free consultation. Don’t wait, start the process of getting your freedom back!

How Should You Prepare for a License Restoration Hearing?

Restoring your driver’s license after a suspension or revocation requires thorough preparation. The Michigan Secretary of State takes these hearings seriously, and even minor errors will likely result in a denial. Working with a criminal defense attorney can help you prepare for this complicated legal process.

To prepare, you should follow these steps:

  1. Always start by seeking legal representation. An experienced license restoration attorney, like those found at Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law, will help you organize your documents, avoid common pitfalls, and prepare a persuasive argument for why your license privileges should be restored.
  2. You must wait the statutory minimum before applying: one year for the first revocation and five years for subsequent revocations. You must go a minimum of one year without being caught drinking and driving. Attempting to apply too early will result in your request being immediately denied.
  3. Obtain a substance abuse evaluation, which is a professional assessment by a licensed evaluator familiar with Michigan’s license restoration standards. It must include your diagnosis, treatment history, and prognosis for continued sobriety.
  4. You will need to gather three to six letters of support. These testimonial letters should be from friends, family, employers, and professionals who can attest to your sobriety and lifestyle changes. These letters must be notarized, avoid overly vague or sympathetic language, and mention specifics, like dates, behaviors, and positive changes.
  5. Get a 10-panel drug screen. A clean, recent drug test is typically required. It must align with your evaluator’s findings. Any use of prescription medications should be properly documented.
  6. Prepare for your hearing. You will be asked questions about:
    • Your past OWI convictions
    • Why you lost your license
    • What you’ve done to stay sober
    • How you intend to maintain sobriety in the future
    • Why you are now a safe, responsible driver

An experienced attorney will be able to help you prepare for these questions and surprise curveballs, as well as represent you during your hearing. Clients with legal advocacy throughout the restoration process have increased odds of a successful AHS hearing. Don’t lose the chance to get your driving privileges back by taking this on alone.

What Is an Ignition Interlock Device?

An ignition interlock device (IID) is a small apparatus that resembles the breathalyzer you likely blew into when you were pulled over for your OWI. It is installed in your vehicle and prevents the engine from starting until the driver can blow a clean breathalyzer test. When an IID is installed in your vehicle, it will be tuned not to allow your vehicle to start unless you blow less than a pre-determined BAC, usually 0.02% or lower.

IIDs are often installed after an OWI conviction, especially for repeat offenders or cases involving exceptionally high BAC levels. Michigan uses IID programs as part of restricted license reinstatement or sentencing conditions.

In addition to startup tests, the device may also require a rolling retest while driving to ensure you remain sober during your drive.

When an IID is ordered, you must consult with a state-approved provider to install the device. You will also be required to do maintenance checks with your provider, where they will examine the device for evidence of tampering. The IID keeps a log of all tests and the resulting BAC, and the technician will keep a log of this data.

Penalties for IID Tampering or Test Interference

It is illegal to tamper with these devices or attempt to get around them. Tampering includes, but is not limited to:

  • Attempting to disconnect the device from your vehicle
  • Attempting to alter or erase data logs
  • Disabling the device’s camera
  • Tampering with wiring

People attempt to do the following to alter their BAC tests:

  • Have someone else blow into the device for you
  • Using an airpump to simulate a breath test
  • Using mouthwash or other methods to attempt to mask alcohol consumption

Not only are these methods ineffective, but getting caught will result in significant penalties, including:

  • Immediate license suspension or revocation
  • A probation violation if the IID was a condition of sentencing
  • New criminal charges
  • Reinstatement delays
  • Jail time

The opportunity to use an IID, especially as part of the reinstatement process, is a privilege. Do not attempt to circumvent it or tamper with the device; you will get caught, and the consequences are significant. If you have questions about IIDs, the process of having one installed, or legal questions regarding the device, call 269-626-2296 to speak with a license restoration attorney.

Do You Need a Michigan Driver’s License Reinstatement Lawyer?

The license restoration process can be complicated, and it is important that all aspects are managed correctly and that all paperwork is complete and filed accurately. Failure to do so can delay or jeopardize your revoked license restoration.

You are typically only allowed one AHS hearing per year, and this is your only opportunity to make your case. With so much on the line, turn to the trusted driver’s license reinstatement lawyers at Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law.

Our practice is rooted in a deep understanding of the law and an aggressive approach. Contact us at 269-626-2296 to schedule your free initial consultation or reach out to us online to discuss your case today.

Driver’s License Restoration Lawyers Near Me in Michigan

To build a strong case for your driver’s license restoration hearing, it is imperative that you work with attorneys who know how these cases are handled in Michigan. With over 130 years of combined experience, our Kalamazoo driver’s license restoration attorneys are more than qualified.