I did jail time and paid fines
To get your license back you will have to go through a demanding process. You must have long term abstinence from alcohol, and a commitment to lifetime abstinence. That means no drinking or illicit drugs, whatsoever. You must have letters of support from your friends and family that must include certain topics, you must have a professional substance abuse evaluation, do a ten panel urine test for substances, complete the Form SOS 257, and testify at a hearing. There are instructions on the Secretary of State's website, but they do not tell the whole story. It is very risky to try to do this on your own. You should locate an attorney in your area who has extensive experience in license restoration cases. If you fail, in most cases you will have to wait a year to try again. If you are successful (assuming that you are Michigan resident), you will be given a restricted license, with a requirement of having a breath interlock in any vehicle you drive, for at least a year, before you have another hearing to try to get back a full license. Don't look for an attorney based only on price. No attorney can guarantee success, but an attorney who is experienced in preparing and presenting these matters at the Administrative Hearings Section makes it far more likely that you'll get the license, if you meet the Secretary of State's criteria. Sincerely, Frank B. Ford
