Driving Without a License: Consequences Per State

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No matter what state you live in, driving without a valid driver's license is a serious offense that can lead to fines, jail time and higher car insurance rates. It’s no wonder why driving without a license can have severe consequences: According to the NHTSA, 17% to 19% of car fatalities involve drivers with invalid licenses. Keep reading to learn about the penalties for driving without a license and how they vary by state.
Is It Illegal To Drive Without a License?
Specific rules and regulations may vary by state, but driving without a license can have severe consequences in all states.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without a License?
Correctable Offenses
If your driver’s license is valid and active but you left it at home, that would be a correctable offense, also known as a fix-it ticket. By law, all drivers must have a driver’s license. Getting pulled over without a license can result in severe consequences, depending on your situation.
Willful Violations
If your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked but you are caught driving anyway, that is a willful violation. Willful violations are when the driver knowingly disregards the law and can result in jail time, a ticket or a fine.
Driving Without a License: Penalties by State
Driving without a license is considered a crime in every state. However, the consequences of this violation depend on the state you live in as well as if the infraction is a willful violation or a correctable offense.
State |
Citation |
Penalties |
---|---|---|
Alabama |
§32-6-19 |
Misdemeanor: $100-$500 fine; Additional fine: $50. Prison sentence up to 180 days; immediate vehicle impoundment; possible 6-month license suspension increase. |
Alaska |
§28.15.291 |
|
Arkansas |
§27-16-303 |
Misdemeanor: Prison sentence: two to six months. Up to $500 possible fine. |
Arizona |
§28-3473 §28-3511 §13-707 |
Class 1 Misdemeanor: Prison sentence of six months. Potential vehicle impoundment. |
California |
Veh. Code §14601 & §14602.6 |
|
Colorado |
§42-2-138 |
|
Connecticut |
§§14-215, 14-227h |
|
District of Columbia |
ND.C. Code Ann. § 50-1403.01 |
Prison sentence: up to one year, up to a $2,500 fine, or both. |
Delaware |
21 Del. C. §2756 |
|
Florida |
§ 322.34 § 775.082 § 775.083 |
|
Georgia |
§40-5-121 |
|
Hawaii |
§291E-62 |
|
Idaho |
§18-8001 |
|
Illinois |
625 ILCS 5/6-303 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-55 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-45 |
Possible vehicle impoundment.
|
Indiana |
Ind. Code Ann. § 9-30-10-16 § 35-50-2-7 |
Class 6 Felony: Prison sentence: between six months and two years. Up to a $10,000 fine. |
Iowa |
§321.218 |
Simple Misdemeanor: $250-$1,500 fine; license suspension increased for an additional like period or one year, whichever is shorter. |
Kansas |
§8-262 |
|
Kentucky |
§ 186.620 §189A.090 §532.020 |
|
Louisiana |
§32:415 |
|
Maine |
Title 29-A §2412-A |
|
Maryland |
§16-303 §16-402 § 27-101 § 27-111 |
|
Massachusetts |
Ch. 90; §23 |
|
Michigan |
§257.904 |
|
Minnesota |
§171.24 §609.02 |
Misdemeanor: Up to 90-day prison sentence, up to $1,000 fine or both. |
Mississippi |
§63-11-40 |
Misdemeanor: Between 48-hour and six-month prison sentence; $200-$500 fine; six-month license suspension increase. |
Missouri |
§302.321 |
|
Montana |
§61-5-212 §61-5-102 |
|
Nebraska |
§60-4,108 |
|
New Jersey |
N.J.S.A. 39:3-40 |
|
New Mexico |
§66-5-39 |
Misdemeanor: Four to 364-day prison sentence; up to $1,000 possible fine. Possible vehicle immobilization. |
New York |
V&T 511 |
|
Nevada |
§483.560 §193.150 |
|
North Carolina |
§20-28 N.C.G.S.A. §15A-1340.23 |
|
Ohio |
§4507.02 |
|
Oklahoma |
Title 47: §6-303 |
|
Oregon |
Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 811.175 |
|
Pennsylvania |
75 Pa. CSA §1543 |
|
Rhode Island |
§31-11-18 HB 7679 (2016) |
|
South Carolina |
§56-1-460 |
|
South Dakota |
§32-12-65 |
|
Tennessee |
§55-12-131 §55-50-504 |
|
Texas |
Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 521.457; Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.23; §12.22 |
|
Utah |
§53-3-227 §76-3-301 |
Class B Misdemeanor: Up to six-month prison sentence; $1,000 fine. |
Vermont |
§674 |
|
Virginia |
§46.2-301.1 §18.2-11 |
Class 1 Misdemeanor: Up to 12-month prison sentence, up to $2,500 fine or both. Ninety-day vehicle impoundment. |
Washington |
§46.20.345 |
Gross Misdemeanor: Up to 364-day imprisonment, up to $5,000 fine or both. |
West Virginia |
W. Va. Code Ann. § 17B-4-3 |
|
Wisconsin |
§343.44 |
|
Wyoming |
§31-7-134 §31-4-104 |
Misdemeanor: Up to $750 fine. |
What Are the Consequences of Driving Without a License?
Fines
Drivers may face steep fines if they’re caught driving without a license. They will likely have to pay higher insurance rates, vehicle impoundment costs, court costs, attorney fees and much more. Driving without a license could result in fines that range from $500 to $10,000 for first-time offenders. Repeat offenses result in higher fees.
Mark on your driving record
If you’re caught driving without a license, you may face jail time. If you are a first time offender, it may be viewed as an unfortunate mistake. Repeated offenses could result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
Impounded car
No matter where you live, your state’s authorities have the right to impound your car. To get your car back you will have to pay a lot of fines, which could result in severe financial hardship. In some states, you could lose your car permanently.
Registration do-over
Let’s say you are able to get your car back from the impound lot, your battle isn’t over. You may also have to restore your car registration, which means you will need to re-register your car and pay another registration fee.
Extended suspension of license
Driving without a license will result in license suspension. If you are a serial offender then your suspension will be extended. Depending on your state, you may even lose your license altogether.
Revoked car registration
Since driving without a license is considered a serious offense, your driving license can be revoked based on your driving history and record (and if you are a repeat offender).
Higher insurance rates
A consequence you can almost always expect is higher insurance rates. Risky drivers always pay more in car insurance.
What Are the Common Reasons Someone Drives Without a License?
Every state has its own rules and regulations surrounding license suspensions. Reasons why someone would drive without a license could include:
- Too many points on their license
- Attempting to elude an officer
- Failure to appear in court
- You were responsible for an accident and named in a civil suit
- Failure to pay traffic tickets
- Failure to pay child support
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Vehicular battery
- Failure to stop and render aid
Why Can a License Be Suspended or Revoked?
- Serious driving offenses: Your license may be suspended or revoked due to serious driving-related offenses like racing, driving recklessly, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, hit-and-run and more.
- Repeat traffic violations: Many states have traffic violation point systems. Any time you have a traffic violation, the DMV will attach a number of points to your driving record. If you accumulate too many points you could get your license suspended.
- Non-driving violations: In certain states, non-driving violations like unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor or failure to pay child support can impact your driver’s license.
- Driving without active or valid insurance policy: Legally, all drivers must have a valid insurance policy when driving.
License suspensions are usually temporary, and most drivers get their previous licenses returned. After a license revocation period ends, a driver must apply for a new driver's license, present all required documents and pass the written knowledge and road tests.
Key Takeaways
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Buying Affordable Insurance
Unlicensed drivers or those with suspended or revoked licenses can still purchase car insurance and may be required to do so by their lender or by the state. However, they still cannot legally drive.
Whether you're a high-risk driver, need an SR-22 or have a spotless record, you can only find the lowest rates for car insurance by comparison shopping. SmartFinancial can do the work for you by offering free car insurance quotes from local insurers offering superior coverage at the lowest rates. Enter your zip code below and answer a few questions to get started.
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