Driver’s License Recovery

Not having a driver’s license is a real issue in Milwaukee ’s African American community.  Only 26% of African American males age 18-24 had valid driver’s licenses in 2002.  In the four zip codes including Making Connections, 28,662 driver’s licenses were suspended in 2002.  Four times as many residents have licenses suspended for failure to pay municipal court fines as for driving or drug violations combined.   In these zip codes, 65% of those who are unemployed do not have a driver’s licenses.

The Making Connections Community survey found that 45% of those who are unemployed in the Making Connections area have neither a valid driver’s license nor a reliable car. 

Drivers License Recovery Program Helps Man Get License Back

When he was 18 Carl Wesley (now 25) got a speeding ticket. He couldn’t pay the fine and his license was suspended. Because he needed a car to get to work and school Wesley continued to drive. He was stopped numerous times for things such as turning into an alley and having tinted windows. During each stop he was asked to show the license he didn’t have.

He eventually was referred to circuit court where he was declared a habitual traffic offender, fined $900 and had his license revoked. In addition, he owed $600 in municipal court fines. Wesley was in debt so deep he thought he would never see his license again.

Things changed in February with the announcement of the Drivers License Recovery program..

Personal loans and help from his employer allowed Wesley to clear his circuit court record, a requirement prior to entering the recovery program. He continues to owe municipal court fines, but, thanks to the License Recovery program, his driving privileges have been restored.  As a direct result of the program and the return of his Drivers License, Wesley received a job promotion and salary increase.