Can you drive with an expired license?

There are some statements that are not controversial. One of these statements is related to driving with an expired or suspended license. License privileges can also be revoked in some states, and you should not drive with a revoked license either. Severe penalties are in place all across the country for people who decide to drive without a valid driver's license. These penalties will vary from one state to the next, as each state makes its own laws regarding auto violations. In addition to fines and fees, people can go to jail or have their vehicles impounded. While often a lesser consequence comes from not being able to produce a valid driver's license, the penalties can still be severe. Drivers should make sure they have their valid driver's license on them whenever operating a motor vehicle. In addition, carrying your car insurance plan and automobile registration can help you save a lot of time and money. The fines and fees for operating a vehicle with a suspended, revoked, or expired license are not the only penalties a person can face, though the number of previous offenses for the violation also has an effect on the severity of the penalties. A person who has violated the law for the first time in this way will have a lesser penalty, generally speaking, then a person who has violated the law three times.

Fines For Driving With An Expired License

What a person pays in fines for driving with an expired license will be different depending on whether it is the first time offense, a second-time offense, or a subsequent offense. Fines for a first offense can range anywhere from $50-$25,000, dependent on the number of offenses a person has already had. If you have never had a driver’s license or forgot to renew the driver’s license you already had, it is likely you will be charged with a misdemeanor. In many situations and many states, this violation can be fixed by presenting a valid driver's license within a specific period of time. While the driver will likely still be hit with fines, other potential penalties might not be issued. 

Sometimes people do forget their license at home. While still an infraction, states will usually issue tickets that simply require you to provide proof of insurance are the police station. If you are able to do so, you will likely have a reduced fine, and in some cases, no fine it all. If you have an alternate ID, they can also be helpful if you are pulled over if you do not have your driver's license. There are numerous ways a person cannot fulfill the driver’s license requirements, each of which comes with penalties.

Insurance Penalties

Some violations are more common than others, with a person not applying for a license in a new state after they have moved to being on the list. People who have moved from one state to the next sometimes forget to apply for a license in their new state. Other times, they know they need to apply for a license but continue to put it off past the deadline the state gives. It is essential to apply for a new license when you move from one state to the next promptly.

Other common ways people break the requirements for driving with a valid license include operating a motor vehicle with a suspended, expired, or revoked license. Not having a driver’s license can be a hardship, especially when it comes to getting to work, visiting friends, and visiting family. If you have an expired, revoked, or suspended license, however, you need to find alternate modes of transportation. Being caught driving without a valid license can lead to extensions of each of these things, as well as more fines, fees, and possible jail time. Also, some people decide to operate a motor vehicle after never having gotten a driver’s license to begin with. This is dangerous and states put harsh penalties forth for people who violate the law in this way.

How To Renew Your License

To renew a driver’s license, you will need to go to the DMV and wait in line with your expired license. In some states, you can renew online. Depending on the state you live in, you may need to take a vision test and take a new picture. Additionally, there will be a fee of between $25 and $150 to renew an expired license. Also, note that if you have an expired license that has been expired for too long, you may be required to retake your driving test. Once you have a valid license, you will need an auto insurance plan; make sure to bookmark this website and come back to use the free quote tools found here.