What Happens If I’m Caught Driving With an Expired License?

You cannot drive with an expired license because it is illegal in every state, and getting caught can result in penalties, such as tickets, fines, points on your license and even jail time. While it may seem like a hassle to drag yourself to the DMV, renewing your license is a serious task, as procrastinating can result in hundreds of dollars in penalties and increased insurance costs.

Keep reading to learn about the potential penalties of driving with an expired license and how to avoid letting your driver’s license expire in the first place.

On This Page

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  Can I Legally Drive With an Expired License?

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  What Happens if You Get Pulled Over With an Expired License?

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  Is There a Grace Period for Expired Drivers Licenses?

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  Can Driving With an Expired License Affect Insurance?

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  How To Avoid Letting Your License Expire

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  FAQs

Can I Legally Drive With an Expired License?

Driving with an expired license is illegal in all 50 states.^[1] State DMVs typically make drivers renew their licenses to ensure they can drive safely according to each state’s standards, and so that they can keep accurate information on each driver. You could face penalties for ignoring or procrastinating on renewal, which we’ll discuss below.

What Happens if You Get Pulled Over With an Expired License?

Getting pulled over for driving a motor vehicle with an expired license will result in different penalties depending on state laws. For example, in California, you could either be charged for an infraction with a $250 maximum court fine or a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a $1,000 court fine and six months in jail, depending on the court verdict.^[2] Your state may enforce other penalties, such as points on your driver’s license or vehicle impoundment.

To avoid the potential ticket and other consequences, get a friend to drive you or  take alternative transportation to the DMV or renew online through your state’s DMV website.

Is There a Grace Period for Expired Drivers Licenses?

Some states may allow for grace periods immediately following your license expiration, which could result in lesser consequences. For example, in Florida, driving with a license that has only been expired for six months or less can result in an infraction with a penalty of up to $30.^[3][4] In contrast, letting your expired license stay expired for longer could result in heftier penalties, with Florida charges potentially resulting in up to $500 in fines and 60 days of jail time.^[5][6][7]

Other states have penalty-free grace periods, such as Alabama, where you can drive with an expired license for up to 60 days. However, this only extends within the state, subjecting you to out-of-state laws if you drive past the state line.^[8]

Some states don’t reduce or eliminate potential fines for driving with an expired license but instead offer a grace period for renewing your license without jumping through additional hurdles. For example, Oregon has a grace period of two years for renewal, after which you will need to reapply for a new license, which involves paying initial fees and passing licensure tests.^[9]

These grace periods can vary between states, so research how long you have to renew your license if it’s close to expiring.

Can Driving With an Expired License Affect Insurance?

Driving without a license that has not been renewed can also negatively affect your car insurance. While the specifics will vary between insurance company policies, some penalties may include refusing to renew your policy or canceling it entirely if you’re pulled over with an expired license.

Some insurers may view your expired driver's license as an indicator of reckless behavior and could choose to increase your insurance premiums. Additionally, if you’re in an accident while driving with an expired license, your policy may allow your car insurance company to deny a damage claim, leaving you to pay for any damages out of pocket.^[10]

If too many auto insurance companies view you as risky for driving with an expired license, new insurers may deny you the opportunity to enroll in their policies, making it more difficult to find coverage. This may require you to get a policy from a nonstandard insurance company that specializes in high-risk driver policies, often with higher premiums than you’d get for equivalent coverage.

How To Avoid Letting Your License Expire

The best way to avoid letting your license expire is to be proactive and not wait until the last minute to renew it, as sudden life changes or an emergency may push your driver’s license renewal to the back of your mind. Some states, such as Oregon, allow you to renew your license up to a year before its expiration date.^[9]

If making it down to the DMV becomes a barrier, you may be able to renew your license online and have the replacement card mailed to you. Check with your state’s DMV website to see if there are any requirements or restrictions for online renewal. For example, in California, you can renew online provided you aren’t changing your address or personal description, aren’t applying for a REAL ID-compliant license and aren’t renewing a commercial license.^[11]