Driver's License Restoration — Grand Rapids & West Michigan

Losing your driver's license to a revocation is not just inconvenient — it affects your ability to work, care for your family, and maintain independence. Michigan's license restoration process is designed to be difficult, with most petitions denied on the first attempt without proper preparation. Maesen Law guides West Michigan clients through every step of the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division (DAAD) process, building the strongest possible case for restoration.

Who Qualifies to Petition for Restoration

Your license can be restored only after your minimum revocation period has passed:

• Second OWI within 7 years: Minimum 1 year revocation before petitioning
• Third OWI (felony): Minimum 1 year revocation (5 years if the second conviction was also within a 7-year period)
• Combination of alcohol and drug convictions: Similar minimums apply — contact Maesen Law for a specific eligibility review

Eligibility to file a petition does not guarantee restoration. The DAAD must find by clear and convincing evidence that you have maintained sobriety and that restoring your license does not pose a risk to public safety.

The DAAD Hearing Process

Step 1 — Substance Abuse Evaluation

You must undergo a formal substance abuse evaluation by a state-approved evaluator. The evaluation assesses your alcohol and drug use history, diagnoses your relationship to substances, and recommends a level of ongoing treatment or aftercare. This document is central to your petition — a poor evaluation can sink an otherwise strong case. Inconsistencies between the evaluation and your hearing testimony are the most common reason petitions are denied.

Step 2 — Letters of Support

You will submit 3–6 letters from people who know you well and can speak credibly to your sobriety, character, and rehabilitation. Letters from family members who live with you are common; letters from employers, AA sponsors, clergy, and friends add breadth and credibility.

Step 3 — Preparing Your Testimony

At the DAAD hearing, a hearing officer will question you about your drinking history, the circumstances of your offenses, your path to sobriety, and your current support system. Inconsistencies between your testimony and your substance abuse evaluation are the most common cause of denial. Thorough preparation with your attorney is essential.

Step 4 — The Hearing

Hearings are conducted in-person or by video. The hearing officer reviews all submitted evidence and testimony, then issues a written decision. First-time petitioners have a significantly lower success rate than represented petitioners with thoroughly prepared files.

Ignition Interlock — Restricted License

If your petition is granted, you will initially receive a restricted license requiring an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you drive. After one year of clean interlock data, you can petition for full license restoration. Interlock violations — any positive BAC reading, missed calibrations, or tampering — reset the clock and can result in re-revocation.

Appeal After Denial

If the DAAD denies your petition, you have two options: wait one year and file again with stronger evidence, or appeal the decision to the circuit court within 63 days. The circuit court review is on the record, meaning the judge reviews the same evidence the hearing officer considered. An attorney who understands where the denial went wrong can frame the strongest possible appeal.

Out-of-State Restoration

Michigan's revocation follows you across state lines. If you moved to another state and obtained a license there, Michigan's revocation may still prevent you from obtaining a full license in many states. Michigan allows non-residents to petition the DAAD for clearance of a Michigan hold, with the same evidentiary requirements as a standard restoration hearing.

Contact Maesen Law

Ryan Maesen personally handles driver's license restoration cases and has guided West Michigan clients through the DAAD process for over 20 years. Call (616) 821-7691 or contact us online to discuss your situation and eligibility. We serve clients throughout Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Muskegon, Holland, and all of West Michigan.