Bergstrom Files Legislation to Address Barriers to Driver’s License Restoration for Former Inmates

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, has filed three bills aimed at removing obstacles for individuals seeking to reintegrate into society after incarceration by addressing the challenges of driver’s license restoration.

“When someone is released from prison, he or she is expected to get a job and be a productive member of society,” Bergstrom said “There are many roadblocks to that happening. One is not being able to get a driver’s license so they can drive to and from a job or even a child's school function. Today I have filed three bills, SB 216, SB 218, and SB 220, so that we can look at the options to fix this problem."

Senate Bill 216 allows individuals whose licenses expired while in the custody of the Department of Corrections to apply for a six-month provisional license without requiring immediate payment of outstanding fines and fees. At the end of this period, license holders would begin making a minimum payment of $25 per month toward their balances.

Senate Bill 218 provides a similar pathway but does not include the six-month suspension of payments, offering an alternative approach for individuals with varying financial circumstances.

Senate Bill 220 addresses situations where licenses expired during the suspension or revocation period. It grants a 90-day grace period during which the expired license is considered valid. During this time, Service Oklahoma would notify individuals about the grace period and provide instructions for securing a new license. Additionally, the Department of Corrections would be required to provide inmates with the necessary documentation to obtain a provisional license upon release.

"I have heard from employers about hard working employees who have been unable to get a license for years,” Bergstrom said. “This must be fixed."

These bills can be considered when the legislative session begins on February 3, 2025.

-END-

For more information, contact: Sen. Micheal Bergstrom at 405-521-5561 or email Micheal.Bergstrom@oksenate.gov