Consequences of Driving on a Suspended License

The consequences of driving on a suspended license can range from the equivalent of paying a traffic ticket to extremely lengthy incarceration. The laws and penalties vary by state; if you have been charged with driving with a suspended license you will want to seek legal counsel as soon as possible from an attorney who specializes in motor vehicle issues.

Intentional or Not?

Many states divide suspended license offenses into two broad categories; whether the driver knowingly and intentionally drove with a suspended or revoked license or if the driver could reasonably have been unaware of the suspension. Many people are not aware that their driver's license can be suspended under an administrative process for such things as unpaid traffic tickets. The driver who has had his or her license suspended as the result of a DUI conviction has full knowledge of the suspension. As you would expect, the consequences of intentionally driving on a suspended license and the reason for the suspension in the first place has a direct result on the severity of the penalties.

Out of State Drivers

Every state has its own laws and penalties to deal with drivers who are driving on suspended licenses; be aware that many states also have laws on the books to deal with out of state drivers as well. As an example, in New York State you can have your license suspended for unpaid traffic fines. If you are from out of state and have not paid your traffic tickets and your license is administratively suspended in New York, and you are stopped by a police officer for another violation you can be arrested for driving with a suspended license...even if your Oklahoma license has never been suspended.

Misdemeanor to Felony

Speaking of Oklahoma, the typical penalty for driving with a suspended license which is a misdemeanor is a fine of $100 to $500 and up to a year in jail. Contrast this with the consequences in Florida:

Up to $500 fine and 60 days in jail for a first offense (misdemeanor)
Up to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail for a second offense (misdemeanor)
Up to $5,000 fine and 5 years in jail for 3rd or more offense or if you were driving with a suspended license and caused an accident in which another person was injured or killed (felony)
Can have vehicle impounded

In North Carolina your driver's license can be permanently suspended as a penalty for driving without a license for the third time. You can see just from these three examples how widely the penalties vary state by state.

Get Legal Help

An experienced attorney can explain the laws and penalties in your state, and can effectively defend your rights to the best extent possible. Particularly where there is doubt about whether or not the driver willingly and knowingly drove with a suspended license; an attorney can be invaluable.

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