There are many reasons to have a hearing with the Motor Vehicle Administration. The MVA may be trying to suspend your license for a DUI, you may have accumulated too many points, the Medical Advisory Board may be trying to take away your license, or you may have had a violation on a provisional license.

These hearings are crucial to protecting your privilege to drive. If you miss a deadline to request a hearing, it is too late and you will have to serve a suspension which could be lengthy.

Before the pandemic, the hearings took place in person at the Office of Administrative Hearings. However, since the pandemic, these hearings are now virtual using WebEx, a platform like Zoom. You will need to be in a quiet location and have a camera on your computer or use your phone. If you wish to submit exhibits, they should be e-mailed in advance of the hearing.

The MVA does not appear at the hearing. Rather, they submit exhibits in advance of the hearing. You will be shown the exhibits on your screen at the beginning of the hearing. You also can testify and call witnesses. At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge will render a written decision and e-mail it to you.

If you win the hearing, you can request a refund of the filing fee. Either side can appeal the hearing by filing a Petition for Judicial Review within 30 days. I have won MVA hearings where the MVA has taken an appeal. These hearings are complex and it is best to have an attorney to represent you if you can afford one.