Driving without a California drivers license is a crime that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The offense includes:
Driving without ever having obtained a drivers license.
Driving with a suspended or revoked drivers license.
Driving with an expired drivers license.
And, of course, driving with a valid drivers license but neglecting to have it with you.
The least serious of the three is having a California drivers license and just failing to bring it along for the ride. You’ll probably be charged an infraction under California Vehicle Code Section 12951. Once you prove to the court that you do have a valid California drivers license, the charge is dismissed and it will not go on your record as a criminal violation. Whew!
However, you’re not let off the hook THAT easy. Fines for infractions can be up to $250, not including fees.
Driving With a Suspended, Canceled or Revoked California Drivers License
Driving without a drivers license is not the same crime as driving with a suspended, canceled or revoked license - a much more serious offense. If your license was canceled, revoked or suspended by authorities, you will be charged with a misdemeanor.
Under vehicle code 14601, this means you may be subject to imprisonment in a county jail for no less than five days and no more than six months and a fine of no less than $300 and no more than $1000. You may also be penalized with up to three years of informal probation or up to 30 days of car impoundment. If your car is impounded, you are subject to paying both the towing and impoundment fees for 30 days which could add up to over $1,000. In some cases, the car may have to be forfeited and sold at an auction.
One example of someone driving on a suspended or revoked license would be a driver who is currently suspended for a DUI conviction. This offense carries a minimum jail sentence of 10 days for a first sentence and 30 days for a second, as well as an installation of an Ignition Interlock Device inside the offender’s vehicle.
Driving With an Expired California Drivers License
If you are driving with an expired California drivers license, you may get charged with a misdemeanor, but oftentimes prosecutors are willing to reduce the penalty to an infraction if you’re able to get a new license in a reasonable period of time.
This offense includes recent transplants from out of state since California requires you to obtain a California drivers license even if your previous home state license is still valid. If a Texan moves to California (who would ever do that, right?) and continues to drive with his or her Texas drivers license, the driver will be charged with driving without a license. But this case would likely be reduced to an infraction if the driver could obtain a new California license within 20 days.
Driving Without a Valid Drivers License
Driving without a valid drivers license (whether you’re not old enough or just never got around to taking the test) is likely to result in a more serious crime than an infraction, but again first time offenders will always face lighter penalties and corrective measures.
If you’re caught driving without a license in California it will be charged as a misdemeanor or infraction. The maximum penalty for the misdemeanor is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. If you luck out and it’s only counted as an infraction the penalty is a $250 fine.
The best solution in any of these cases is to:
1) Take a California drivers ed course and get a valid license
2) Renew your drivers license before it expires
2) Make sure you carry your license with you whenever you’re in the car.
3) Follow all rules when you’re license is suspended, canceled or revoked to avoid further penalties. You earned that license once, don’t let that privilege be taken away with a careless mistake.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll never have to worry about driving without a license in California!
Florida is known for being a pretty freewheeling state, but it takes driver license laws seriously. Section 322.03 of the Florida State Statutes lays out the regulations surrounding driver licenses and the penalties for not following them.
If you take the risk of driving without a valid Florida driver license here’s what could happen.
Driving in Florida Without a License
Unlicensed drivers have become an increasing problem in the state of Florida, and law enforcement has been cracking down. Driving without a license is considered a criminal offense that comes with stiff consequences.
Driving without a license will have consequences
If you get stopped and don’t have a license here’s what you can expect:
- The law enforcement officer will give you a ticket. But it’s not any old ticket. It’s considered a criminal charge.
- You’ll be charged with a second degree misdemeanor.
- Keep in mind that if this happens you are technically arrested and released at the scene. You’ll receive a notice to appear at court. If you don’t show up you could be in even more trouble.
- If you’re found guilty you could receive up to 60 days in jail and up to $500 in fines.
Anyone who’s caught driving without a license will also be issued an ID number. So far around 214,000 of these ID numbers have been issued.
Driving without a license just isn’t worth the risk, especially when Aceable online courses make it easy to study and pass your tests. Ease your stress by taking our Florida permit courses .
Driving With a Revoked or Suspended Florida License
If your license has been suspended or revoked, Florida law enforcement doesn’t want you out on the road. If you’re stopped for a traffic violation you’ll be charged with having “no valid” license. Do it again and the charge will become "driving while license suspended or revoked" (DWLSR).
- The first DWLSR offense is charged as a second degree misdemeanor.
- If it happens again the charge will be bumped up to a first degree misdemeanor.
- A third DWLSR is considered a felony of the third degree.
- Drivers that get three DWLSR charges within three years will receive a 5-year revocation of their license and the label “habitual traffic offender” (HTO). Driving during this period is considered a third degree felony.
- Anyone who drives with a suspended, canceled or revoked license and causes an injury will be charged with a third degree felony.
- On top of all that, the arresting officer will most likely impound the vehicle. The registered owner or lessor will have to pay hefty fees to get the car back. If the vehicle isn’t picked up within 35 days a lien will be put on the vehicle.
Think about it and make the smart, legal, and obvious choice.
If you’re a repeat DWLSR offender there’s a chance you’ll get jail time that can range anywhere from 60 days to five years. Driving with a permanently revoked license is a big-time offense in Florida. The charge of driving with a permanently revoked license can come with fines of up to $5,000.
Driving With an Expired Florida License
Driving with an expired Florida license is less serious than cruising around with a suspended license, but you won’t get off scot-free. The state does give drivers a little leeway by allowing up to six months after the expiration before it’s considered a violation. If you’re caught driving during the grace period it’s considered an infraction that comes with a $30 fine.
If you’ve let your license go past the 6-month expiration mark it’s considered a criminal violation and you could face:
- Up to 60 days in county jail
- Fines up to $500
- Up to 6 months probation
Don't let it become a criminal violation
Driving With an Out-of-State License
Non-residents that are visiting one of Florida’s many beaches or the happiest place on Earth can drive around with their valid out-of-state license no problem. But if you’ve moved to Florida, you’ve got to get a Florida driver license within 30 days. You also have to register your vehicle within 10 days of moving to Florida.
Luckily you can convert a valid out-of-state license to a Florida license without taking any tests. But first you’ll have to provide:
- Identification
- Proof of registration
- Out-of-state title
- Verification of a physical inspection
- Proof of insurance from a company that’s licensed in Florida
Driving Without Your Valid Florida Driver’s License
Did you walk right out of the house and forget your license? The state of Florida understands that people can be forgetful sometimes. If you had a valid license when you were stopped, don’t panic.
But if you do forget it's no big deal.
Before your court appearance, bring your driver’s license to the clerk of the court where the charge is pending. Also, be prepared to pay the $5 fee for dismissing the case.