Q: What should I expect at my evalution? At 1st Step Referral Services you can expect a complete, one-stop service. You will
interview with an experienced Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) in a relaxed,
professional environment. You will be able to take your drug screening on-site
at the time of your appointment, without the hassle of setting an appointment
and running to another location. You will receive a complimentary informational
folder and a personalized overview of the steps you need to take to complete
the administrative process of requesting a hearing. Back
Q: Do I have to get an evaluation in the county that I live? No. The standards for a DLAD Substance Abuse Evaluation are uniform across the state.
However, your actual hearing will be set at a location in your county, closer
to your home. Back
Q: Will my insurance pay for my evaluation? In general, the answer is No. You may want to check with your individual provider,
but we have yet to see a medical insurance plan that covers an evaluation that
is required by a third party. In this case it is being required by the Michigan
Secretary of State as an evaluation tool for restoring your driver's license. Back
Q: Why do I need a drug screen when my license was revoked for alcohol? After a driver's license has been suspended or revoked for "risky" driving
behavior, it is the DLAD's responsibility to assure that the applicant has no
other substance use behaviors that may influence a driver's ability to perform
responsibily while driving a vehicle. Back
Q: What if I don't know when I received my driving offenses? You can request your driver's record by calling your local Secretary of State branch
or by visiting the MI Secretary of State link: Requesting My Driver's Record. Back
Q: What type of information needs to be in my Letters of Support? Who should write
them?
The hearing officer will also ask for statements about you from 3 to 6 people who have known you for a long time. You can bring these people to the hearing, or they can write letters for you to bring.
Any letter you bring must be signed and dated by the person who wrote it. The letters must include:
1. The
person’s address and day time telephone number.
2. What
the person’s relationship is to you.
3. How long the
person has known you.
4. How often the person sees you.
5.
Where the person sees you.
6.
What the person knows about your past and current use of alcohol and/or drugs.
7.
When the person last saw or knew you had been drinking
or using drugs.
8. What the person knows about your past
or current treatment or attendance at a support group.
9.
Any other important information about your recovery. Back
Q: What if I haven't attended support groups, participated in education classes,
or went through a treatment program? Each situation is unique. However, your Hearing Agent is going to be very interested
in your support group, education and/or treatment participation. This
is an important part of evaluating whether a person will continue to abstain from
alcohol or other drugs if they are granted driving privileges. To find a support
group in your area, visit: http://www.mhweb.org/ Click on Self Help & Support Groups under your county. Your Hearing Agent will
require documentation of AA/NA participation. You are welcome to download and
use the form we make available for our clients: AA/NA Sign In Sheet
1st Step Referral Services offers a DUI education class that focuses
on legal consequences, BAC levels, cost of use and the progression of the chemical
disease. Knowing the law and information in this program is important to prevent
further convictions and is a powerful catalyst to maintain positive change.
You can find more information under Educational Programming: DUI Back
Q: How long will it take to get my hearing with the DLAD? We will send your evaluation and drug screen results back to you within 10
days. After you submit all your information to the Secretary of State, plan on
6-12 weeks before you are at your hearing. (Some exceptions do apply.)
Back
Q: Where do I go for my hearing? You will be scheduled for your hearing at a location close to the address you provided
on your Request for Hearing Form. Back
Q: If I am denied my license, when can I request another hearing? Are there other options?
With few exceptions, after a request for driver's license reinstatement is denied,
it will be one year before you can request another hearing. The DLAD does have
an appeals process, which you can read about on the Micigan Secretary of State web-site at: The Appeals Process. Back
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