Resources

Get the facts on debt-based driver’s license suspensions.

The Free to Drive coalition has developed print, digital and video resources for advocates and policymakers who are interested in taking on the issue of driver’s license suspension for unpaid fines and fees. Browse the materials to below to learn why debt-based license suspensions are a cruel form of punishment that disproportionately effects people living in poverty — and how you can help end this practice for good. 

Fact sheets, bill summaries, and letters of support.

2023 Resources

Letter of Support to the Senate Driving for Opportunity Act 2023

2021 Resources

Driving for Opportunity Act 2021 Full Bill Text

2020 Resources

Letter of Support for Driving for Opportunity Act 2020 from 24 Attorneys General

Letter of Support for Driving for Opportunity Act 2020 From 50+ Organizations

Reports, publications, law articles and amicus briefs

Stepping on the Gas: Accelerating Florida’s Growth by Restoring the Freedom to Drive

Reducing the Harms of Court Debt: Driver’s License Revocations are an Ineffective Policy for Increasing Court Collections

Debt-based license suspensions: Drivers of poverty and incarceration

Estimating the Earnings Loss Associated with a Criminal Record and Suspended Driver’s License

 Driver’s License Suspensions for Unpaid Fines and Fees: The Movement for Reform

Driven to Failure: An Empirical Analysis of Driver’s License Suspension in North Carolina

Mendoza v Strickler Brief of Amici Curiae Free to Drive Coalition Members

Explainer videos for policymakers, advocates and impacted individuals — what happens when you can’t afford to pay your fines and fees?

 

Free to Drive Campaign

34 states and D.C. still suspend, revoke or refuse to renew driver’s licenses for unpaid traffic, toll, misdemeanor and felony fines and fees. License suspensions are the primary way debt related restrictions on driving privileges occur in the United States. However, many states restrict registrations, or other administrative automobile requirements, as a counterproductive means of coercing debt payments for unpaid parking, tolls and other court fines and fees.

These restrictions not only prevent people from earning the money they need to pay their “court debt,” but also undercut their ability to support themselves, their families and the community.

 

Personal story: arrested and jailed for driving while poor. Hear from Desiree.

During a traffic stop, Desiree found out that her license had been suspended for unpaid fines and fees. She was arrested and spent time in jail in two different states. Desiree has diabetes, and she did not receive her medicine while incarcerated, which almost killed her.

 

Personal story: one ticket, one suspension, $14,000 in costs. Hear from Leah.

In 2014, Leah received a traffic ticket that she was unable to pay, and her driver’s license was suspended as a result. That suspension led her to quit driving completely, which made her lose her job — and a ticket for driving with a suspended license made her insurance payment skyrocket to $650.

 

Free to Drive Campaign Launch: Vantage Points Panel

During the Free to Drive launch event in September 2019, advocates and directly impacted people came together to share their experiences during two panel discussions. This Vantage Points panel highlights the impact of driver’s license suspension from the perspective of various stakeholder groups, impacted individuals, and society as a whole.

 

Free to Drive Campaign Launch: Changemakers Panel

This panel addresses the issue of license suspension for unpaid fines and fees from the state and local advocacy, policy and litigation perspectives. It highlights efforts across the country around driver’s license suspension: what worked, what didn’t work and how to move forward.