Do I Have to Go to AA to Get My Illinois Driver’s License Reinstated?

If your Illinois driver’s license has been revoked because of one or more DUIs, you may have heard that you must attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) before the Illinois Secretary of State will restore your driving privileges.

That is a common misconception. AA is not necessarily required to obtain driving privileges in Illinois. However, depending on your alcohol/drug evaluation and risk classification, you may be required to demonstrate abstinence and an adequate support system for maintaining your sobriety.

For some people, AA provides that support. For others, a non-traditional support program may be appropriate.

What Is a Non-Traditional Support Program?

A non-traditional support program is a way of maintaining sobriety without relying on a traditional recovery program such as AA.

The structure varies from person to person. Your support system could be family or friends, a faith-based program, an evidence-based program or a peer-based program. 

However, simply telling the Secretary of State that “my family supports me” may not be enough.

At an Illinois Secretary of State formal hearing, you should be prepared to explain who supports your sobriety, what those individuals actually do to support you, and how your support system helps you avoid returning to alcohol or drug use.

What Will the Secretary of State Ask About My Support System?

An applicant relying on non-traditional support may be questioned about:

• How family members or friends actively support the applicant’s sobriety;
• Changes made to avoid situations associated with past drinking;
• How the applicant handles events where alcohol is present; and
• What the applicant would do if faced with an urge or temptation to drink.

The answers should also be consistent with the applicant’s alcohol/drug evaluation, treatment documentation, and letters of support.

Letters of Support Are Important

For applicants who are required to show support group involvement, letters from these non-traditional support group members play an important role in a hearing before the Illinois Secretary of State.

These should not simply be character-reference letters stating that the applicant is a good person, parent, or employee.

Instead, the letters should accurately describe the writer’s relationship with the applicant, frequency of contact, how the writer is actively involved in the applicant’s sobriety and how that helps them to remain abstinent. The letters should also include what allows the writer to help the applicant remain abstinent and what changes the writer has seen in the applicant since remaining abstinent.

Inconsistencies between these letters and the applicant’s testimony can create unnecessary problems at a formal hearing.

Should I Attend AA Just Because I Have a Hearing?

Attending AA solely because you believe it will improve your chances at a Secretary of State hearing may not be helpful.

If you claim AA is an important part of your recovery, you should be prepared to discuss your involvement and explain how the program helps you maintain sobriety.

Your testimony should accurately reflect your actual recovery program, not what you think the hearing officer wants to hear.

Can an Attorney Help With a Non-Traditional Support Program?

Yes. An attorney experienced with Illinois Secretary of State driver’s license hearings can review your evaluation, treatment documents, abstinence letters, non-traditional support group letters and other evidence before your hearing and identify inconsistencies or issues that may need to be addressed.

You do not necessarily need AA to obtain an Illinois Restricted Driving Permit or license reinstatement. But if you rely on non-traditional support, you should be prepared to clearly demonstrate how your support system helps you maintain your sobriety.

Need Help With an Illinois Secretary of State Hearing?

The driver’s license reinstatement lawyers at The Davis Law Group, P.C. represents clients seeking Restricted Driving Permits and full reinstatement of their Illinois driving privileges, including clients who maintain sobriety through non-traditional support rather than AA. If you are looking to regain your driving privileges, contact us today to get started.