I am a consulting electrical engineer and had been driving an automobile for 51 years and never had gotten stopped for suspicion of a dui/dwi let alone gone through a roadside test and then handcuffed and incarcerated for the night---until about a year ago, late October, 2014. For the benefit of anyone reading this review, I did make one really big mistake that evening/morning and hopefully it will help some others to avoid the emotional turmoil that it caused me by my telling you how I could have avoided the events of that evening. I pulled my car out of popular retail center where it is recognized that the only establishment that is open after midnight with a 2AM license is a well known bar and grill that had a live band on Friday nights. I was only about 100' away from a traffic signal that was already red so I knew that I had to stop and I could see the headlights of several vehicles coming up behind me and also stopping for the red light. One of them turned out to be a motorcycle with a San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy on it and he undoubtedly saw me pull out of the retail center and decided very quickly to make me his victim. I could have avoided this whole incident by simply waiting in the retail center at the driveway until I could identify the cars belonging to the headlights and letting them pass my position. My intent here is to NOT recommend to anyone that they should drink and drive ESPECIALLY if they are NOT in control of their vehicle. My intent is only to relate that if you still feel good after a few drinks and can still drive safely, don't do something as thoughtless as I did; WAIT until you can establish that there are NO vehicles that will be coming from behind you that could be a cop before you pull out onto the street. After reviewing all of the advertizing material from attorneys, I talked to several of them. I was very impressed with one of the attorneys because he was honest enough to tell me that I might not need HIS services if the D.A. does not prosecute me. He highly recommended Rob Collier of California Drivers Advocates if I just wanted very competent representation in my dealings with the DMV. The DMV ostensibly had, in my case, some cause to suspend my license for a year. I called Rob's office on 2/5/2015 and hired him shortly thereafter. This past Friday, 11/6/2015, I was scheduled to meet Rob at the DMV office in San Bernardino for my hearing with the hearing officer. Rob asked me to wait a minute in the corridor while he talked with the hearing officer. Forty-five minutes later, he came out the door into the corridor and told me that we were done and could leave. When we got outside, he told me that the hearing officer had many doubts about the credibility of the Sheriff's deputy. I know that this is based upon Rob's competent representation of me in the past 9 months. Rob said that the hearing officer was going to issue a "Set Aside" order very shortly. Rob sent me by email a copy of the "Set Aside" order the day before yesterday and I received my copy in the mail yesterday. Case closed. What happened between the time that I hired Rob and the production of the "Set Aside" notice demonstrates the knowledge, experience and probably, most of all, the persistence of Rob in dealing with the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department. Rob painstakingly made known to the DMV hearing officer all of the discrepancies between the written police report and my version of what I witnessed that night/early morning. I was never read my Miranda rights as I was being arrested. I did take the breathalyzer test twice but the deputy claimed in the written police report that I refused to take it. One of the first things that Rob did was issue subpoenas to the arresting deputy to produce belt and other audio/video recordings of the events that night, a copy of the warrant issued by the judge to allow for a forced blood sample to be taken from me, a copy of the breathalyzer data (test logs, useage logs, calibration logs) and the deputy's affidavit. One of the biggest fabrications of the truth during this process came when the Sheriff's Dept. representative told Rob's office that most of the items being subpoened cannot and will not be produced because client (that's me) was taken to the hospital. This was completely false. In order to get around this obstruction by the Sheriff, Rob suggested that he request a special hearing in which the deputy would bring all subpoened materials with him and testify under oath when giving answers to all of Rob's questions. The deputy testified that he advised me of the implied consent law when he drove me in his car back to the police station. The problem was that his own police report and my statements to Rob were that he was riding a motorcycle. He testified again that I refused to take the breathalyzer test. There were a number of other inconsistencies that caused the hearing officer to seriously doubt the cop's credibility. read more

If you are reading this review, then you are probably facing the loss of your driving privileges by suspension or revocation. You are now considering retaining Rob Collier to represent you in an evidentiary hearing with an officer of the DMV. In brief, should you retain Rob to represent you, this may well be the best money you have ever spent..   You may have contemplated representing yourself for the hearing. Even if you are an attorney, you do not want to do this. California Drivers Advocates exclusively handles negligent driver, DUI cases, and lapse of consciousness cases. This is pretty much all it does and Rob will be an extremely effective advocate on your behalf.   Rob has both the requisite experience and the knowledge of the California vehicle code to defend you at the hearing. Rob has defended hundreds of drivers in DMV hearings and knows many of the DMV officers in the geographical area he services. He knows what the hearing officer is looking for and how he/she thinks and operates. Rob understands things about this process you cannot possibly know. Although no one can guarantee success in all instances, your chances with him in your corner will increase your likelihood of success by one-thousand percent. Do not go it alone because you will most certainly lose.   After you retain California Drivers Advocates, Rob will devise a game plan that will help you succeed at the hearing. You must do everything he tells you to do. That is why you retain him. You do not retain Rob so that he can massage your ego; he won't do that. But he will protect you. Rob will instruct you in assembling the evidence you need to defend yourself at the hearing. Rob and his capable staff are very accessible throughout the entire process. You must be patient and have faith that he will do everything he can to get you through what is doubtless a very unpleasant experience for you.   My own case was quite problematic. I was involved in an accident in which a serious injury occurred. The original notice of suspension gave me five days warning for a hearing that was scheduled without my knowledge or consent. Rob secured a delay of the hearing and a stay of suspension that was to go into effect January 10, 2022. Due to an error made by upper management at the DMV, the suspension did go into effect as indicated in the original notice. Although it took a little over a week to resolve, Rob fixed it and got the stay of suspension until after the hearing.   Rob helped me prepare my testimony for the hearing. To be sure, I was a good witness and did everything he told me to do, but I could not have succeeded without him. And you won't either. Rob cross examined the police officer who issued the report to the DMV and asked all the right questions. His closing argument on my behalf was every bit as adroit as anything one might get from a skillful defense attorney in a court of law. And please understand, the hearing officer of the DMV is judge, jury, and executioner. You are dealing with a situation of absolute power on all fronts.   Ultimately, the action of the DMV was set aside and I retained my driving privileges. There was no suspension, nor revocation, nor trip to the DMV to take a written test or behind-the-wheel exam. Rob and his staff could not have done more to help me through this really awful period of my life. Arm yourself with representation. Call California Drivers Advocates. read more

Beyond amazing service. So glad my sister found him! My mother got into an accident, where she lost control of her work van. The officer arrived, and didn't take in to account that my mother had just been in an accident. He was asking her about details of her accident, and since she was in shock, she did not answer them correctly. He claimed she was driving at an excessive speed, and then assigned her to re-take her driving test. My mom is 68 years old, and very capable of driving still. My mom went to the DMV business center, there, she was instructed to take the "written" test on a computer (she has never used one in her life), and the exam was in English. My mother speaks English, but it is difficult for her to comprehend it when she reads. She asked the DMV representative to help her where she got the response "do your best". Needless to say, she failed! My mom went back to re-test, and requested an interpreter this time- I witnessed as she went in, without the interpreter. They did not let me in. I sat outside, and saw the interpreter arrive, and sit near me. After about 10 minutes, they called the interpreter in. Why after my mom has been in there for so long? Long story short - they had my mom take the test WRITTEN this time (when she had been preparing for the computer this whole time). STOP taking the test, and talk to the DMV rep with the interpreter, and then go back to take the test. How can one concentrate on a test with such an interruption?! I am not sure what transpired during this conversation, but my mom came out thinking she had not passed once again, and that she needed a lawyer. I tried to talk to the DMV rep to clarify what had happened, and why we needed a lawyer. Also --what we needed to do. She did not want to give me any answers claiming "I was not authorized". I told her, my mom is standing right next to me, she is authorizing you to give me this information. She made every excuse NOT to help me, she even stated that my mom had said "I don't help her anyway" - HOW PROFESSIONAL. Anyway, I told my mom I guess we're going to have to get a lawyer! My sister helped us find CA Driver Advocates, and I am very grateful she did! Rob's intake called us before our newly scheduled DMV hearing, and was very thorough on gathering information to help with the case. We spent about an hour going through every little detail. Rob let us know that these cases were difficult to win, but he would do his best. Rob then met us at the DMV hearing, and arrived early to go over the details once again. He was kind, professional, and reassured us that everything would be alright. My mom had been stressing over this for months now!! She needs her license to drive to work! They went in, and Rob presented my mother's case-- from how long she has been driving, to the fact that driving is actually her livelihood. The hearing officer heard the case, and basically mentioned that my mother had passed the last time she was there - all she needed to do was go take the behind the wheel test- WOW!! ROB LITERALLY GAVE US THE VOICE WE DIDN'T HAVE. My mom now has her license back, and all is well. THANK YOU ROB AT DRIVER ADVOCATES FOR EVERYTHING!!! read more

`I had an unfortunate auto accident injuring my wife while parking at a CostCo parking lot in Temecula California. The Riverside Sheriff was summon and report was submited to the department of motor vehicle Drivers safety Branch. My driver license was suspended until I could prove that I was able to drive safely. I found out that dealing with the bureaucracy of the California Department of Motor Vehicle by yourself without legal advice is an impossible task. I contacted Rob Collier of the California Drivers Advocate, With Rob`s guidance and advice I was able to get my suspension vacated and my driving privileges reinstated. Thanks Rob for Your help and professionalism. ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` read more

Thank heavens we found the CDA online! In January, we were flailing about with our DMV problem, unable to find anyone who even knew what we were talking about until we discovered Rob Collier's website. I can't recommend Rob and his excellent staff highly enough! You've probably already read through the recommendations here on YELP, and wonder if they can really be true. Yes, they are! Our experience with Rob and CDA was equally positive. What happened to me? After an exhausting morning and an ill-advised cup of super-caffeinated commercial coffee, I fainted and came around horribly nauseated. I was a passenger in our car. My husband was alarmed and took me to the Emergency Room. I was released after 2 1/2 hours and multiple tests. The doctor said I was "free to go," that they could find nothing at all wrong with me. However, since I had a "Lapse of Consciousness" as the law puts it, the doctor had to report me to the DMV. He told me that that my CA license would be suspended and that I was not to drive until I got it cleared. The doctor made it sound simple, but thus began a nightmare of conflicting information and a series of Kafkaesque snafus as I tried to "clear" my DMV suspension. By February, I had realized that this was going to be much more complicated than it looked, and that I could lose my license permanently. I found that apparently as an older person, my competence as a driver was automatically suspect despite 50 years of safe driving. Oh, my gosh! We really needed help!! My husband searched and found CDA. From the moment we talked with Rob Collier, we felt we were in the right hands. It turns out that it's not easy to show that you are competent. Using Rob's three prong game plan to do so was direct and to the point. CDA is easy to work with. They are polite, respectful, and smart. Rob has had extensive experience with DMV and knows exactly what to do. First, I assembled the documents he said would prove that I had no neurological, cardiac, vision, or other health problems. I'll save you the details, but know that in Prong One, I made 14 trips to Kaiser for the numerous check-ups, tests, medical records that would prove that I had no neurological, cardiac, vision, or other health problems. No, it's not easy to show that your parts work and that you are competent to drive, but Ron knew what was needed. In the end, I regained my driving privilege in "a complete victory with no strings attached." I'm deeply grateful, and I highly recommend Rob Collier and CDA staff. Thanks CDA! read more

If you're dealing with a suspended license due to medical probation, Do Not face the State DMV in a recorded hearing which goes on record without California Drivers Advocate at your side. Your right to drive is vital to living in California and the State will show no remorse in denying your privilege. I initially tried facing them without representation, believing a reasonable person would listen to my story and reinstate my license since I hadn't broken any laws. I was wrong, the process was confusing and the hearing was intimidating in which the DMV officer spoke quickly and twisted my pressured testimony. My license remained suspended and after that experience I decided to hire Rob's team to help me litigate, something I should have done from the start. Rob was very helpful in building my case against the DMV. His suggestions and plan were definitely well thought out and well executed. Anybody who is thinking of handling their DMV hearing without Rob & CDA should seriously reconsider their position. The DMV is not your friend and they will make it their prerogative to keep you from getting back on the road. The DMV's procedures are very formal and the safety officers charged with determining who is eligible to drive are not likely to express empathy surrounding your situation (As the DMV is infamously known for). Even if you have a reasonable explanation surrounding your condition they will not lift your suspension without the proper evidence & testimony. Rob & CDA know exactly what that proper evidence is which you need to present to the DMV in order to cover every base of your hearing so that they have no other option but to reinstate your license. As if that wasn't enough, Rob & his team take care of the hassle of submitting the paperwork and scheduling a hearing with the DMV so that all you have to do as their client is follow their instructions. This was a welcome service which brought much relief considering how stressful these situations can be on their own and the added bureaucracy that these forms and procedures call for. In the end, I did not even have to attend a hearing. After reviewing the evidence Rob needed for my case the DMV sent me a letter in the mail thereby lifting my suspension. Hassle free. It would not have been this smooth without California Defense Advocates & I have no shortage of praise to offer them. Thank you for helping me get my license back. read more

TLDR : There is no one better for every niche situation when dealing with the DMV. Rob can figure out what the DMV won't tell you, what you need to do, help you prepare and guide you along the way. He has this down to a science and with his help, all the confusion, chaos and anxiety will be taken care of so you don't have worry or deal with the DMV. Your chances of keeping or reobtaining your driving privilege's are extremely, extremely high. I just obtained my license after 7 years of revocation and 2 years of trying to figure it out on my own, to no success. With Rob and CDA, I was driving in a matter of 3-4 months. Story: I had my license revoked about 9 years ago and upon finally being eligible to apply for the written and driven test, I found out that there was a "hold" on my license. This is after me riding my bike, 5 miles to the dmv and being told "call this number" then "call that number" when finally I said I already called all your numbers and no one can tell me what I need to do exactly to lift this hold! Apparently I needed a hearing and an interview by a DMV official to see whether or not I was fit enough to drive. I had no idea what that interview would pertain and if I would have gone into it blind, I probably would not have passed. My mom miraculously found CDA and Rob had a game plan almost instantly because he's done these interviews many, many times. In a lot of situations he has a very friendly relationship with the interviewer because they usually do a lot, so he has gotten to know them over a number of years. I had to have proof of certain issues, like a vision test and others. I would have had no idea about that with Rob if I did it on my own and that was SUCH a huge win when they are trying to find reasons to deny you your license. Rob makes sure that essentially have no choice but to restore your privilege. He even guided me along the interview where he was asking the questions so we could be in control of my own testimony instead of being guided around by the DMV officer. After the interview, I had a 100% full restoration of my license privileges with no strings attached. Basically, all I needed to do was take a road test. I did, passed and now I have a license again. I'm so, so, so grateful to CDA and Rob Collier. read more

It is my pleasure and privilege to recommend Rob Collier and his company California Drivers Advocates ("CDA"). They appear on behalf of persons in legal cases brought by the California Department of Motor Vehicles ("DMV") to suspend or revoke a driver's license and related matters. I believe myself to be uniquely qualified to evaluate -- and to praise -- Rob and his company: I am a senior attorney-at-law with over 40 years of experience practicing law. There is a saying among those of us who advocate: "the attorney who represents himself has a fool for a client." Heeding this common wisdom I went out seeking the best attorney I could find. After an intensive search, Rob Colllier agreed to defend me in a case brought DMV to suspend or revoke my license. At the beginning of the case I was served with a document informing me that I had to go through a litany of tests and evaluations on a lightening-fast pace in order for DMV to evaluate my driving skills. I truly believe I had found -- and retained -- the master advocate involving the DMV matters in California. Rob is a fantastic example of expertise, and he proves he does not have to carry a bar card in order to be the best there is. From the very start of his role as an advocate-in-charge of my case Rob put me at ease with his obvious mastery. I turned over the reigns of my case to Rob and I am happy I did. We litigated against the DMV for over 6 months, during which time DMV temporarily revoked my Driver's License. However Rob was persistent and he did not stop advocating all the way to the end of the case. Ultimately Rob was able to obtain the reinstatement of my Driver's License. This success by Rob was critical in my continuing the law practice of law. I have always needed -- and will continue to need -- a car to drive a car to court, to meet with clients and witnesses, to visit the scene of an accident, to attend a bar association function, etc. Rob obtained that successful result for me, and I am and always will be forever grateful to Rob. read more

I am a 77 years old man that while driving, made a wrong right turn, was stoped by the sheriff that checked my driving license and let me go with no ticket or warning. Two weeks later I received from DMV a Driving License suspension letter. For few days, my wife and I searched the internet to see if in California traffic officers are empowered to make psychological evaluations, if other US states have a similar legislation and if there is an Age Discrimination Class Action Law Suit that I could join. At the end, I decided that with my life expectancy, is not enough time or money to engage in long lasting legal suit, or move to another state. Too old and to too tired to fight again. Uber became my solution. A day after I shared my decision with my family, my wife showed me on her iPod California Drivers Advocates(CDA) web site. She offered to pay CDA fee if I am willing to try. We signed the contract with CDA and next day I had a 1 hour CDA information collection interview. Three days later Mr Rob Collier, the Chief Administrative Advocate, send me a letter with scheduled DMV hearing, action plan, pre hearing phone conversation date. The action plan and by my conversations with Mr. Collier made clear to me that: 1. My self and CDA needed to be sure that I am a safe driver, and eliminate any possibility of causing a fatal accident. My Primary Care Provider, Cardiologist and Eyes doctor also, do not see any risk on me driving. 2. I was motivated enough to prepare, and take the DMV written and behind the wheel tests, and prof to my self, Mr. Collier and Hearing Offer that I am a safe and responsible driver. CDA made a retired, lethargic, 77 years old into a motivated and proactive fighter. I would not be surprised if Mr. Collier would become a motivational speaker teaching old people how to find in themselves energies and talents that made them successful in the past. Thank you Sir for guiding me on gaining back my driving privileges and more than that. Alex Pop read more

It is with extreme pleasure that I write this review for Rob Collier, President of California Drivers Advocates. Due to very poor judgment on my part I was at the mercy of the DMV to possibly have my license and driving privileges suspended. My family concerns and career depended on this to be resolved in my favor with this case. Rob was referred to me and soon after he contacted me to evaluate my issue and to see if he could be of assistance. He was extremely professional and thorough with regards to what he has done in the past with other clients to help resolve their issues and explained everything to me of just how this process works. I was very pleased with his attention to detail and quick contact he made with me to attain as much information as he could regarding my case. Once my initial interview was completed he sent me a copy of the detailed documents for me to look over and everything sent was spot on and accurate. He kept me informed of every step of the way through this entire process and reassured me along the way that he would do what he could to correct this oversight on my part. After carefully looking over all matters as it pertained to my case he found several flaws and discussed them with me and felt these would hold quite a bit of weight in my favor that I would have never thought of on my own. After the final hearing was completed, I received a letter from the DMV in my favor to keep my driving privileges and that the possible suspension would be lifted. Soon after, I received a phone call from Rob stating the very same information in regards to my case. Without Rob Collier in my corner and on my side representing me, I truly don't believe I would have had the same outcome. If anyone has an issue with the DMV and needs representation to go up against them, I whole heartedly would recommend Rob Collier and California Drivers Advocates. He really is the best in the business and I am so grateful he was on my side!!! C. Conner read more

In 2016, My father, who was 79 years old at the time had an incident at a car wash, which resulted in a suspension of his license. We attended a DMV hearing, where they required him to take a written test to prove his knowledge of the current driving laws and a behind the wheel test to prove that he still possessed the required skills to safely drive a motor vehicle. In addition, they required his doctor's medical examinations to ensure that he was medically cleared to drive a motor vehicle. He passed all of the DMV requirements and was relieved that the ordeal was over with. Approximately one and half years later, he received a letter from the DMV that he was required to take the written and behind the wheel test again. This time, he failed the written tests and his license was revoked. He requested another lack of skills hearing and the hearing officer under her own discretion, deemed my father unable to drive. At the time of his hearing, I saw Rob in the waiting room as he was representing another client. I asked for his business card and contacted him to discuss applying for an appeal. After my father and I spoke with Rob, he clearly appeared to be the right person to have represent my father. Once we retained Rob's services, he immediately requested an appeal to provide my father another lack of skills hearing. Once another hearing was approved, Rob initiated a comprehensive game plan to prepare for the next lack of skills hearing. Rob walked my father through each step and the required documentation needed to prepare a sound defense for the upcoming hearing. After a long and thorough preparation by Rob, and my father's ability to pass the written and behind the wheel test, my father's license was reinstated. We would highly recommend Rob Collier to anyone that is searching for someone to protect their freedom to drive. Thank you again to Rob and the California Drivers Advocates for their diligence. Sincerely, Eugene Hahn read more

In January of 2015, I retained California Drivers Advocates after my license was suspended. I had been injured in an automobile accident caused by another driver, and had a seizure at the hospital following the accident. Due to the seizure, the police notified the DMV, and called for Reexamination, which triggers a long and arduous process. The case was further complicated by a corrupt police officer who intentionally manipulated the Reexamination paperwork that was sent to the DMV, causing my license to be suspended before I'd had a chance to respond. I had to find someone to help very quickly, and I found Rob Collier online. I called his office and he immediately called back. I was injured, terribly upset, and mortified at the possibility of losing my license. Rob immediately conveyed a sense of confidence and knowledge of the process, and assured me that he could help. He immediately put me at ease, so I took and chance and hired him. In what became a nine-month ordeal, that seemed it would never end, Rob navigated the endless beaurocracy of the DMV, with competence, compassion, and strength. From the start he explained each step, what to expect, and never stopped reassuring me that in the end we'd be successful in getting my license back. At many points during the process I became extremely frustrated and felt hopeless. Each time I called Rob, he listened with compassion and reassured me that it would be ok. Rob jumped through endless hoops with grace, intelligence and expertise. He never let me down, and I sit here today with my license fully restored with no restrictions. Rob is the very best at what he does. I'd put him up against anyone else working in this field, including the best lawyers. I highly recommend him both as a person and a professional. He acts with the highest level of integrity and commitment to service. Thank you to Rob and his team for giving me my life back! read more