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License Suspended? You May Be Eligible To Get it Back

David Seidel/Radio IQ

Just under 35,000 people in Virginia have gotten their driver’s license back. That’s since July 1st, when a new policy stopped the practice of suspending licenses as a punishment for not paying court fines. 

The next push is reaching the hundreds of thousands who are eligible, but just need to apply. 

 

For most of the initial 35,000 people who have already gotten their licenses back the process was automatic. That’s because their license hadn’t expired yet.

 

But many have been out of the system for years, says Department of Motor Vehicles Assistant Commissioner Millicent Ford.

 

Does this apply to you? Check out your status here.

 

“It could be as long as ten years. Certainly people who owe the court it remains in effect for a number of years,” Ford says. “That’s a long time to have that requirement hanging over your head and not being able to drive. So this is like a Christmas present.”

Some people may just have to go to their local DMV and re-apply for a license. Others may have additional requirements they need to fulfill. 

If you have a suspended license, but aren’t sure which category you fall into, you can more information online at theDMV’s website.

 
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Mallory Noe-Payne is a Radio IQ reporter based in Richmond.