Drive To Justice

About the Campaign:

What is debt-related driver’s license suspension?

The State of Ohio currently suspends driver’s licenses based on debt. The grounds for a suspension include a range of infractions not related to driving at all.

From missing insurance payments to missing a child support payment, these minor debts cause thousands of people to lose the ability to get to work, drive their kids to school, have easy access to healthcare, and help elderly family members.

This practice hurts impoverished communities far more than wealthy ones. Debt-based suspension perpetuates the cycle of poverty, inhibits wealth building, and worsens the health and wellbeing of the community as a whole.

Our Purpose:

Members of Neighbor Up have formed a team and we are looking to create a coalition to discuss and raise awareness about this issue. We are launching a campaign to ultimately end the law on a statewide level. We are beginning this movement in Northeast Ohio. We are actively engaging with drivers and community partners around Cleveland and East Cleveland who have been affected by the state’s debt-related suspension policies.

Since October 2022, we’ve been hosting conversations and conducting one on one conversations to learn more about the ways this unjust policy has affected Greater Clevelanders. We are continuing to spread the word about this campaign and would love for you to join us!

The Impact of this Policy:

• Ohio is #2 in the nation for debt-related driver’s suspensions
• Ohio imposes over 3 million debt-related suspensions annually
• Debt-related suspensions occur across Ohio but at a higher rate in urban areas
• Debt-related suspensions cost residents of Ohio’s highest poverty zip codes an average of $7.9 million each year
• Debt-related suspensions cost residents of Ohio’s zip codes with the highest percent people of color an average of $12 million each year
• New York, Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, Colorado, and 9 other states no longer suspend, revoke or block driver’s licenses based on unpaid fines or fees.

Take the Wheel: How to Get Involved

Connect with us to help raise awareness about this issue. Eventually, we envision launching a campaign to ultimately end the law on a statewide level. We are beginning this movement in Northeast Ohio.

We are actively engaging with drivers and community partners around Cleveland and East Cleveland who have been affected by the state’s debt-related suspension policies.

Here are some specific ways you can get involved:

• Host a Living Room meeting with your friends and family. We’ll bring some snacks and drinks and have a discussion about this issue.
• Invite us to speak with your group or organization members at one of your meetings and/or events.
• Schedule a one on one conversation with a member of the Drive to Justice team to learn more about our work and ways to get involved.
• Tell your story. We are collecting stories on the impact of this policy. We’d love to hear yours!
• Join our Steering Committee. We are looking for people interested in supporting the further development of this campaign.
• Share via your social media accounts to spread the word!

Email us at drivetojustice@neighborhoodgrants.org to get involved or email Joi Carter, Lead Organizer, at jcarter@neighborhoodgrants.org.

We look forward to hearing from you!