Real-Time Takes: Life with a Suspended Driver’s License
A Policy Blogcast
Life with a Suspended Driver's License
Thousands of Ohioans have lost their driver’s licenses, not for dangerous driving, but for debts they couldn’t afford to pay. Alena Valez’s story shows how a single suspension can spiral into years of hardship and lost opportunity.
August 2025
Interview and article by Gabrielle Fortin
When 18-year-old Alena Valez got into a car crash in Ohio, she didn’t know she was legally required to have car insurance. Like many young people, she was never taught the rules of the road, let alone the consequences of breaking them. What followed was a multi-year cycle of debt and instability, which led to her license getting suspended at least five more times.
After the crash, Alena’s license was suspended. To get it reinstated, she was required to carry an SR-22, a special certificate proving she carried high-risk insurance, for six years. The costs were punishing.
Transportation is a social determinant of work. Without a valid license, Alena’s quality of life suffered: she had to take lower-paying, and lower-quality jobs that didn’t require driving. She was unable to make the money needed to escape the cycle.
At one point, maintaining a valid license consumed nearly a third of Alena’s monthly income. Her full insurance costs exceeded $450 — a staggering amount for someone already struggling financially.
In January 2025, Ohio passed HB29, a landmark law that eliminates many debt-related driver’s license suspensions. While the bill does not cover suspensions due to lack of insurance, it has already restored driving privileges for thousands of Ohioans. To see if you're eligible and learn more, visit DrivetoJustice.org.
About the Author
Gabrielle Fortin (she/her) is the Policy and Advocacy Associate at Towards Employment, where she began as a Cleveland Foundation Intern in May 2024. She is set to graduate from Case Western Reserve University in 2025 with dual B.A.s in Political Science and International Studies. Gabbi supports the Towards Employment Policy Action Plan, working to advance policies that promote economic mobility and equitable employment opportunities. She is passionate about social justice, community organizing, and loves Cleveland.
Towards Employment
Policy & Advocacy
Towards Employment promotes economic mobility, focusing on those most impacted by systemic racism. We educate and advocate for a more equitable workforce system where racial income gaps have been eliminated and everyone has access to family sustaining wages and quality jobs.
