SPARC has identified six priority areas which hold the best potential for improving opportunities for employment & self-sufficiency for individuals with criminal backgrounds. We have identified the lack of a valid driver’s license to be one of those priority areas, finding it to be even more disenfranchising than the infamous box on employment applications requesting the disclosure of a criminal conviction. SPARC is pushing to remove this barrier through advocacy, beginning with this online petition to restore provisional occupational drivers licenses, commonly known as "bread and butter" licenses.This preliminary petition is an attempt to bring greater attention to the barriers faced by individuals with a criminal history as it relates to obtaining, restoring and/or maintaining a valid driver’s license. The lack of a valid driver’s license is a significant barrier to employment & self-sufficiency and we are pushing to remove this barrier through advocacy for the restoration of provisional occupational driver’s licenses, commonly known as "bread and butter" licenses.

Section 1532 of Title 75 (Motor Vehicle Code) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes indicate that drivers license suspensions are issued following a conviction of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act of 1972.

We have found that this provision severely inhibits the successful reintegration of those with a criminal history into society, limiting their ability to acquire gainful, self-sustaining employment, and satisfy their financial obligations.

It is very likely that many of you or someone you know has been negatively impacted by the lack of a valid driver’s license. So if the lack of a valid driver’s license has adversely affected you or someone you know, personally or professionally, and has been a barrier to become self-sufficient through the inability to drive to work, school, medical appointments or other positive activities, I encourage you to please click on the link below to sign this petition, and share it with your friends, family, neighbors and other networks and encourage them to sign it as well!

Thanks,

Southwestern PA Reentry Coalition (SPARC)