Clinic aids locals hoping to regain drivers licenses
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ALPENA -- More than 200 people from Northeast Michigan met with representatives from the Michigan Department of State on Wednesday to get on the road to restoring their driver's licenses.
A special clinic was held at the APlex in Alpena where people who struggle to regain their driving privileges back, received information about their driving record, and learned about proper procedures and channels to take to restore their license.
Khyla Craine, the deputy legal director for the Michigan Department of State, said representatives were helping people who have lost their license recently, or decades ago, get on the path to overcome past indiscretions and be able to drive again.
She said many of the people in Alpena have lost their license due to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, reckless driving, or minor infractions that they have never addressed.
"Our main goal is to make sure they know what they need to do to get their driver's license back and this provides them a means to come speak to our staff and find out what road they need to take to get their license back," she said. "Some people may even have a valid license or expired license and don't know it and we can also let them know that."
Ryan MacKinnon, of Spruce, said he lost his license when he made a bad decision when he was 22 years old when he drove while intoxicated. Now 30, he said, he hopes the clinic will help him get it back.
MacKinnon said not having a license makes life more difficult than it needs to be and is hopeful he will get his license back and move past the mistake he made years ago.
"Not having a license impacted my friends and family, almost as much as it affected me because they have to cart me around all the time and that is an inconvenience to everyone," he said. "It is hard to make a living and stay ahead when you can't go anywhere without having to depend on someone. Now I have all of the information I have to follow through with what I have to do and have a better understanding of what I need to do."
Craine said stories like MacKinnon's are common. She said many people have made a bad decision, often when they were young, and pay for it for many years. Craine said for many people they just need a little nudge in the right direction and some guidance.
"These people getting their license back is huge for the individual and huge for the economy," she said. "We're a driving state and our public infrastructure and public transportation leaves a lot to be desired. If you need to take your kids to school, go to work, or go hang out by the lake, you really need a valid driver's license to do that."
The state will host more driver's license restoration clinics around the state in the coming weeks. Clinics are scheduled in Traverse City on Friday; in Saginaw on Sept. 28; in Lansing on Oct.12, and in Benton Harbor on Oct. 14.
Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.