A second chance is being offered to Durham drivers; they can have their driver’s license that has been revoked or suspended returned.
Durham’s Innovation Team was instrumental in the creation of the DEAR program which assists residents in getting back their right to drive. DEAR, which stands for Durham Expunction and Restoration, opened recently to help residents get their license restored and their lives back on track.
Many municipalities turn to flyer printing to provide details of new programs.
The Innovation Team’s mission is to discover innovative solutions to Durham’s problems. When statistics revealed that one in five residents of the city had lost their driving privileges, the team saw this as a way to help those people as well as the city. Many of the license suspensions are the result of drivers not having enough money to pay a traffic or parking ticket.
Once they lose their right to drive, individuals and their families often go into a downward financial spiral. According to Ryan Smith, DEAR program director, some Durham residents have spent over 30 years without a license due to the fines and fees that they could not pay. Moreover, not having a license makes it more difficult to get a job or rent an apartment.
The DEAR program is not just about helping residents get their driver’s license restored, but also helping individuals expunge their criminal records.