Driving a vehicle is a significant responsibility, and with it comes the obligation to possess a valid driver’s license (1). In the United States, a driver’s license is subject to renewal and can be suspended due to various reasons, such as accumulating too many traffic tickets, failing to pay traffic fines, or failing a driving test. According to the DMV.org, a driver’s license can be suspended for up to 3 years in some states (2).
Despite the potential consequences, it’s not uncommon for drivers to ignore the letter of the law and continue driving with an expired license or a suspended license. Perhaps they are unaware of the risks or believe the fine is worth the hassle. Whatever the reason, driving with an expired license or a suspended license puts not only the driver at risk but also innocent road users. What happens when you get caught, and what are the potential consequences?
Driving with an Expired License
Driving with an expired license is a common infraction, and it’s essential to understand the legal implications of this offense. If your driver’s license has expired, you are committing a civil infraction and risk being pulled over by law enforcement. The fine for driving with an expired license varies by state, but most states issue a civil penalty ranging from $25 to $150 (3).
However, if you are stopped with an expired license and have other traffic tickets or offenses on your driving record, the fine can be more substantial, and in some cases, may even result in the suspension of your license due to accumulating points. It’s crucial to keep a record of when your license expires and take the necessary steps to renew it before its expiration date.
Moreover, driving with an expired license increases the risk of being involved in a car accident, as you may not have the required insurance coverage in case of an accident. It’s also a means of identity theft, as some unscrupulous individuals may even use a driver’s license to access financial information. In extreme cases, failing to renew a driver’s license can result in your passport being denied when you apply for one.
Driving with a Suspended License
Driving with a suspended license is a more serious offense, and the fines are substantially higher than those associated with driving with an expired license. According to the American Bar Association, if you get caught driving with a suspended license, you risk being charged with a misdemeanor offense, which can result in limited driving privileges, hefty fines (possibly ranging from $500 to $1,500), mandatory completion of a remedial driving course, and even a jail sentence of up to six months (2).
Additionally, if you are stopped with a suspended license and have other traffic offenses on your record, such as DUI (driving under the influence), reckless driving, or leaving the scene of an accident, you face more severe penalties, including driver’s license revocation, longer periods of suspension, jail time, and even fines of up to $1,500 (A).
Furthermore, driving with a suspended license prevents you from renewing your registration and results in assets being seized or frozen until the suspended license is cleared. Finally, in severe cases, you may even lose your car owing to outstanding dues or fail to get a new license due to non-clearance of the suspension status.
The Consequences of Getting Caught
Once you get caught driving with an expired license or a suspended license, the consequences can be severe and may have a long-lasting impact on your daily life and finances. These consequences include fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, mandatory completion of traffic school, and even jail time.
Driving without a valid license increases your car insurance premiums, results in heightened enforcement activity when you apply for a new license, you need to stay away from workplaces, colleges and potential places of study with a suspended license and you can cause incidents that could result in the loss of your vehicle’s value by infringing DLA rights (C).
Prevention is the Best Defense
Driving with an expired license or a suspended license is a mistake best avoided. Staying informed about your driver’s license status and renewal deadline can help prevent such incidents. This simple step can prevent a bottleneck of a whole series of issues arising down the line (C).
Additionally, providing drivers with education on the significance of obtaining the true pseudo identity proof status is altogether an ultra-efficient and up to the mark.
Applying these knowledge concepts is wholly necessary and saving lives across USA roads on the go is usually considered independently-paned!
