Drivers License Revocation reform introduced to lawmakers

Oklahoma City, Okla — An Oklahoma Lawmaker says low level offenders should be able to keep their driver’s license.

Representative Nicole Miller explains it's very difficult for convicted Oklahomans to be successful after incarceration, simply because they can't drive.

“We've had this, you know, the largest commutation in history of our nation and so looking at that and all of these things happening together," Miller is hoping to extend more help to those people with drivers license revocation reform.

If the Motor Vehicle Licensing Reform Act is passed by lawmakers, it would make it easier for low level, non-vehicle offenders to get their license back, or get a temporary license.

Representative Miller said thousands of people would be positively affected by this change.

"It touches so many individuals in our state."

According to employees at Oklahoma Organization called Remerge, transportation is one, if not the largest barrier for the women they serve.

Katelyn Barbarick "Supervision fees, probation fees, paying off old tickets, even a re-instatement fee to get your driver’s license, insurance, so you have to have a lot of money to pay off those things and you get money by working. You have to have independent transportation to even be considered for a job."

Remerge helps pregnant women and mothers who are facing incarceration.

Barbarick explained, when women they serve don't have access to help, they often end up right back at square one.

"Often times, they resort back to old supports, people they were involved with when they got themselves justice involved to begin with, and that just continues the cycle of recidivism. It puts them right back where they stared, essentially."