If your driver’s license was revoked after an OWI or DUI conviction in Michigan, you already know how devastating it is. You can’t drive to work. You can’t take your kids to school. You can’t live a normal life. But here’s the good news: you can get your license back, and I can help you do it.
I’m Shawn Haff, and I’ve been fighting for people in West Michigan for over 25 years. License restoration hearings are a unique process with very specific requirements, and most people who try to do it alone get denied. I have a high success rate in license restoration cases because I know exactly what the hearing officers are looking for — and I prepare my clients to deliver it.
The call is free.
How Driver’s License Revocation Works in Michigan
When you’re convicted of multiple OWI offenses — or sometimes even after a single conviction with aggravating circumstances — the Secretary of State revokes your driving privileges. A revocation is different from a suspension. A suspension has an end date. A revocation is indefinite — your license doesn’t come back automatically. You have to earn it back through the DAAD (Driver Assessment and Appeal Division) hearing process.
This isn’t a formality. The DAAD hearing is essentially a trial where you have to prove you deserve your license back. The burden of proof is on you, and the standard is high. That’s why having an attorney who understands this process inside and out makes all the difference.
The Three Issues You Must Prove at a DAAD Hearing
1. Your Substance Abuse Problem Existed
This might sound counterintuitive — why would you want to admit to a problem? Because the DAAD requires you to acknowledge that your past drinking or drug use constituted a genuine substance abuse problem. If you walk in and say “I never really had a problem,” you will be denied. Period.
The hearing officer needs to see that you understand and accept the nature of your past problem. Trying to minimize or deny it is the single biggest mistake people make.
2. Your Substance Abuse Problem Is Under Control
“Under control” means you have completely stopped using alcohol and drugs. Not “I only drink on weekends now.” Not “I switched to beer.” Complete sobriety. Michigan requires a minimum of 12 months of continuous sobriety before you can petition for restoration, but in practice, the longer your sobriety the stronger your case.
You’ll prove this through:
- A 10-panel drug screen — This must be conducted within the timeframe specified by the DAAD and must come back completely clean
- Your substance abuse evaluation — A qualified evaluator must assess your history and confirm your sobriety
- Your testimony — You need to clearly and convincingly explain how you got sober and what your life looks like now
3. Your Substance Abuse Problem Is Likely to Remain Under Control
This is where the hearing officer looks at the big picture. They want to see that your sobriety isn’t temporary — it’s a permanent lifestyle change. They assess this through:
- Your support network — Do you attend AA/NA meetings? Do you have a sponsor? Do you surround yourself with sober people?
- Your lifestyle changes — Have you changed your habits, your social circle, your routines?
- Your letters of support — You need at least 3 letters from people who can personally vouch for your sobriety. These should be from people who see you regularly and can confirm you don’t drink or use drugs. A letter from someone who lives with you is especially powerful.
- Length of sobriety — The longer, the better. One year is the minimum, but 2-3+ years significantly strengthens your case.
How I Beat First Offense OWI Charges
A critical piece of evidence in your case is the substance abuse evaluation. This is conducted by a licensed professional who will review your complete substance use history, assess your current status, and provide a written evaluation for the hearing.
I work with qualified evaluators and I prepare my clients thoroughly before the evaluation. What you say in this evaluation matters enormously — the wrong answer to a single question can tank your case. I make sure my clients walk in prepared and confident.
Letters of Support — Getting Them Right
Your letters of support are not character references. They are sworn statements from people who have direct, firsthand knowledge of your sobriety. A generic letter that says “He’s a great guy” does nothing. A strong letter says:
- How long and how well the writer knows you
- That the writer has personal knowledge you do not drink or use drugs
- Specific examples or observations supporting your sobriety
- That the writer understands your past struggles and has witnessed your change
I review every letter before submission and work with my clients to make sure each letter hits the points the hearing officer needs to see.
What Happens at the Hearing
The DAAD hearing takes place before a hearing officer — either in person in Lansing or by video. Here’s what to expect:
1. Your substance abuse evaluation is reviewed
2. Your 10-panel drug screen results are entered into evidence
3. Your letters of support are reviewed
4. You testify under oath
The hearing officer will ask detailed questions about your substance abuse history, your sobriety, your daily life, and your recovery
5. The hearing officer makes a decision
You’ll typically receive the decision by mail within a few weeks
If approved, you’ll be granted a restricted license with an ignition interlock device requirement. After proving yourself on the restricted license (usually one year), you can petition for a full license.
What Happens If You’re Denied
If your petition is denied, you must wait one full year before you can re-petition. That’s another 12 months without a license. Another year of rides, missed opportunities, and frustration.
This is exactly why you should hire an attorney who knows how to get it right the first time. The cost of getting denied — in time, money, and quality of life — far exceeds the cost of proper legal representation.
Timeline and Cost
From the day you hire me to the day of your hearing, the process typically takes 2 to 3 months. During that time, I’ll:
- Evaluate your eligibility and sobriety history
- Coordinate your substance abuse evaluation
- Arrange your 10-panel drug screen
- Help you obtain strong letters of support
- Prepare you for the hearing with thorough practice sessions
- Represent you at the DAAD hearing
I offer a free consultation where I’ll assess your situation honestly. If you’re not ready — if your sobriety isn’t long enough or strong enough — I’ll tell you. I won’t take your money if I don’t think we can win.
Get Your License Back — Call Me Today
Losing your license affects every part of your life. If you’re ready to get it back, I’m ready to help.
Whether your license was revoked after a drunk driving conviction, a first-offense OWI, or a subsequent offense, the restoration process is the same — and I know it inside and out.
Check out my case results and read my FAQ page to learn more about my approach. Then pick up the phone.
If you’re facing a current OWI charge in Grand Rapids, I handle those too — and winning your current case makes future license restoration much easier.
Call me now at 616-438-6719. The call is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to be sober before I can apply for license restoration in Michigan?
Michigan requires a minimum of 12 months of continuous sobriety before you can petition for driver’s license restoration through the DAAD. However, a longer period of sobriety — two to three years or more — significantly strengthens your case and improves your chances of approval at the hearing.
What happens if my Michigan license restoration appeal is denied?
If your DAAD hearing results in a denial, you must wait a full 12 months before filing a new petition. You cannot appeal sooner. This makes proper preparation critical — hiring an experienced license restoration attorney greatly reduces the risk of denial and the additional one-year wait.
Do I need an attorney for a Michigan license restoration hearing?
While not legally required, hiring an experienced license restoration attorney dramatically improves your chances. The DAAD hearing process has strict evidentiary requirements including substance abuse evaluations, drug screens, and letters of support. Attorney Shawn Haff has a high success rate in restoration cases.
Will I get full driving privileges back after a license restoration hearing?
No — not immediately. If approved, you’ll receive a restricted license with a mandatory ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle. After successfully driving on the restricted license for approximately one year, you can petition for full, unrestricted driving privileges.
What are the most common reasons license restoration petitions get denied in Michigan?
The most common reasons include insufficient sobriety length, weak or poorly written letters of support, inconsistencies during testimony, failed or questionable drug screens, and minimizing or denying the substance abuse problem. Proper preparation with an experienced attorney addresses all of these issues before the hearing.
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