KINGSFORD, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Kingsford Armory was a beacon of hope for residents in need of driver’s license restoration as the Michigan Department of State, in partnership with the Department of Attorney General and other community organizations, hosted a Road to Restoration legal clinic to assist Upper Peninsula residents in regaining their driving privileges. This clinic, part of a series of 3 free events across the Upper Peninsula this week, brought volunteer attorneys and Michigan Department of State (MDOS) staff together to provide guidance and support to those seeking to restore their driver’s licenses.
Khyla Craine, Legal Director for the Michigan Department of State, emphasized the importance of the clinics in offering residents the chance to understand the necessary steps to regain their driving privileges. “We’re excited to be here in Iron Mountain-Kingsford for our Road to Restoration clinics. It’s an opportunity for residents to understand what they need to do to get their driver’s license restored,” Craine said. She noted that some individuals might even be able to have their licenses reinstated on the spot if they had only a few outstanding issues, while others might need to undergo additional administrative hearings.
The Kingsford clinic followed a successful event in Hancock, with Marquette set to host the final clinic of the week this Friday. These clinics are part of a larger effort by the Michigan Department of State to bring vital services directly to communities, recognizing the unique transportation challenges faced by residents in rural and suburban areas.
“We know that transportation is an issue across the state, especially in a driving state like Michigan,” Craine said. “We’re in big towns, we’re in small towns, and we’re in rural and suburban areas all across the state. We’re embarking on our 50th clinic here soon over the past 3 years, and we are proud to bring this service to our residents because our code is complicated. We want to get you on a pathway to get your valid license because we know that you need it for a good job, a better job, or to just experience all the things that Michigan has to offer.”
Local support for the clinics was palpable, with Lynda Gurgall, Branch Manager of the Iron Mountain Secretary of State office, praising the initiative. “The Road to Restoration is phenomenal. It’s just a wonderful idea to have us come to you, and then that way you can come in, and any questions you have, they’re here to answer them,” Gurgall said. She emphasized the need for the clinic in the Upper Peninsula, where many residents face harsh winters and limited transportation options.
The Road to Restoration program also highlighted broader issues, such as the need for more resources for mental health and substance use counseling, particularly in areas like the Upper Peninsula, where these services are scarce. Rubina Mustafa, Senior Staff Attorney at the Detroit Justice Center, noted the prevalence of cases involving revoked licenses due to substance-related driving offenses. “We definitely have a problem or more of a prevalence of cases where people have been in revoked status for having a number of DUI violations,” Mustafa explained, stressing the need for more resources to support sustained recovery from substance use.
The final Road to Restoration clinic for this week is scheduled for Friday, August 16th, at Northern Michigan University’s Northern Center Ballroom IV, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins will be accepted from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., as space permits. Residents who missed the previous clinics in Hancock and Kingsford are encouraged to attend this last opportunity in Marquette.
For more information and to register, visit Michigan.gov/RoadtoRestoration or dial 2-1-1.
