Lost driver’s license? New program helps navigate process of regaining privilege

By RENATTA SIGNORINI
TribLive

A new program at Summit Legal Aid helps people who’ve lost their driver’s license to get the privilege restored.

What started as a pilot program in Washington County has spread to nine other counties, including Westmoreland, in an effort to help those who have lost, or are in danger of losing, their driver’s license.

Regaining those privileges is a multifaceted process with numerous requirements that can be overwhelming or difficult to understand, said Pamela Enck, managing attorney.

“There are multiple hurdles after a license has been suspended that the driver will have to overcome, and the Department of Transportation will not grant a license again until the driver has accomplished everything needed,” she said.

Summit Legal Aid helps with free, personalized assistance for qualified residents to navigate restoration requirements, appeals and probationary, occupational limited and ignition interlock licenses. The pilot program in Washington County helped 63 people over 21⁄2 years through funding from the Hillman Foundation and the Washington County Community Foundation.

That need led to an expansion into the nonprofit organization’s entire 10-county service area, much of which is rural. Funding is being provided through the Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts Board.

Drivers may lose or be in danger of losing a license for a number of reasons, including a driving under the influence conviction, excessive speeding, accumulation of too many points, driving on a suspended license, passing a stopped school bus, speeding in a construction zone or failing to pay a judgment related to a wreck.

Those who can’t afford the associated costs or a lawyer to help with the process will have more problems getting their license restored, Enck said. Clients can get step-bystep help through Summit Legal Aid to tackle Penn-DOT’s requirements.

“Our goal is to make the process of regaining independence manageable,” she said.

Summit Legal Aid operates in Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Information is available at 800-846-0871 or summitlegal.org/get-legalhelp. The Greensburg office is at 16 E. Otterman St.