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Humans of Duke Sanford

In Durham County, around 46,000 individuals have suspended or revoked licenses, often due to failure to pay tickets or appear in court for minor traffic violations. To explore the effects of driver’s license suspension and revocation for Durham residents, our Bass Connections team partnered with the Durham Expunction and Restoration (DEAR) Program, which seeks to reinstate licenses by waiving unpaid traffic fines and tickets. We developed an interview guide that explored how driver’s license suspension and reinstatement affects life outcomes for Durham residents and personal experiences during the license restoration process. Our questions were qualitative, avoided assumptions, and encapsulated the different interests of our team. We scheduled interviews and cleaned interview transcripts from recent data collection. Hearing topics like interactions with law enforcement, the challenges of maintaining a job, or perceptions of roles as caregivers showed that the interview guide gave participants a space to discuss their lived experiences. Eventually, I noticed recurring patterns from invalid licenses. For example, losing one’s license often limits employment due to less reliable transportation, which consequently decreases income. This leads to an inability to pay the fees to restore one’s license, creating a cycle. The consequences of losing a driver's license ripple through various facets of life. I think of policy solutions when addressing issues, so I was curious about methods to break into this cycle. I was intrigued by how regaining licenses empowered individuals, much like my excitement when I got my driver's license. I am grateful to Dr. Anna Gassman-Pines, Adrienne Jones, and my team members for their mentorship and collaboration. Combining my interests in promoting equity-driven policymaking and connecting with people to hear their stories, being part of this Bass Connections team was both an informative and rewarding experience. - Mary Lauren Veazey PPS/Psychology '25

In Durham County, around 46,000 individuals have suspended or revoked licenses, often due to failure to pay tickets or appear in court for minor traffic violations. To explore the effects of driver’s license suspension and revocation for Durham residents, our Bass Connections team partnered with the Durham Expunction and Restoration (DEAR) Program, which seeks to reinstate licenses by waiving unpaid traffic fines and tickets.

We developed an interview guide that explored how driver’s license suspension and reinstatement affects life outcomes for Durham residents and personal experiences during the license restoration process. Our questions were qualitative, avoided assumptions, and encapsulated the different interests of our team.

We scheduled interviews and cleaned interview transcripts from recent data collection. Hearing topics like interactions with law enforcement, the challenges of maintaining a job, or perceptions of roles as caregivers showed that the interview guide gave participants a space to discuss their lived experiences.

Eventually, I noticed recurring patterns from invalid licenses. For example, losing one’s license often limits employment due to less reliable transportation, which consequently decreases income. This leads to an inability to pay the fees to restore one’s license, creating a cycle. The consequences of losing a driver’s license ripple through various facets of life.

I think of policy solutions when addressing issues, so I was curious about methods to break into this cycle. I was intrigued by how regaining licenses empowered individuals, much like my excitement when I got my driver’s license.

I am grateful to Dr. Anna Gassman-Pines, Adrienne Jones, and my team members for their mentorship and collaboration. Combining my interests in promoting equity-driven policymaking and connecting with people to hear their stories, being part of this Bass Connections team was both an informative and rewarding experience. – Mary Lauren Veazey PPS/Psychology ’25 #HumansofDukeSanford #undergrad

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