What Happens If You Drive Without a License?
Driving without a valid license is illegal in every state. Getting caught means fines, a criminal record, a revoked license, and more.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Driving without a valid license is illegal in every state. If you’re caught, the repercussions are serious and may include charges, a criminal record, vehicle impoundment, a revoked or
suspended license
or registration, and potential jail time.Your license expired last week and you haven’t had time to get to the DMV to renew it—what do you do? If your first thought is to hit the road and pray you don’t get caught, think again. Regardless of your excuse, driving without a valid license can have serious consequences.
But it’s important to differentiate between driving with an expired license and driving without proof of a driver's license. Although consequences are still serious for leaving your wallet behind, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license is a more serious offense.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversIs it illegal to drive without a valid driver’s license?
Yes—driving without a valid driver's license—suspended or revoked—is illegal in all 50 states. In most states, a first offense is considered a misdemeanor charge, but any subsequent offenses might be a felony.
Suspended license vs. revoked license
Before we get into the details of what happens when you drive without a license, it’s important to understand the difference between two similar terms: suspended and revoked.
When a driver commits a traffic violation or legal offense, the DMV can revoke or suspend their driver's license, depending on the nature of the offense. In either case, the license is invalid. And since they are no longer a licensed driver, they can’t legally operate a motor vehicle.
The difference between a suspended and revoked license is that one is permanent and the other is temporary.
- A suspended license is usually the result of excessive point accumulation on your driving record. It can be reinstated after a specific period or by completing a required action set out by the court.
- A revoked license is permanently invalid and usually cannot be reinstated.Reasons your license could be revokedinclude DUI, street racing, and accumulating too many points from infractions.
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Penalties for driving without a license
The penalties for driving without a valid license vary depending on several factors, including where you live, why you don’t have a driver's license, and whether was your first offense. But in almost all cases, the consequences are steep—hefty fines, car impoundment, and even a possible jail sentence.
For example, in
New York
, drivers will face a fine between $75 and $300 and/or up to 15 days in jail. In California
, a first offense comes up to 6 months imprisonment and a $300 to $1,000 fine. Any subsequent offenses could result in imprisonment up to 1 year and a $500 to $2,000 fine.Generally speaking, here are the penalties you’ll face for driving without a valid license.
Financial penalties
The financial penalties associated with driving without a valid license can be steep. Depending on your state and license class, fines for first-time offenders can reach up to $10,000.
You’ll also be hit with vehicle impoundment fees, court costs, and lawyer fees. The fines and other penalties increase substantially for subsequent offenses and can reach $25,000.
Criminal record
Depending on the circumstances of your conviction, you could be charged with a misdemeanor or felony on your criminal record.
For example, in
Illinois
, a first offense for driving without a valid license is a Class A Misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in prison and up to $2,500 in fines. A subsequent offense is a Class 4 Felony punishable by up to three years in jail, a fine of up to $25,000, and possible vehicle impoundment. Vehicle impoundment
In certain states, getting nailed for driving without a valid license can lead to losing your vehicle.
Revoked vehicle registration
Your state DMV can revoke your
vehicle registration
in accordance with state laws. Even if you get your vehicle and license back after being cited for driving without a valid license, you’ll have to re-register the car before driving it. Suspended license
Depending on your state, a second offense for driving without a valid license can result in a suspended license and loss of driving privileges—and some suspensions can last for years.
In
Hawaii
, a first offense will land you a license suspension for one year, while any additional offenses will increase your suspension to two years. If you’re nailed for a third offense, you’re looking at permanent license revocation. High car insurance rates
While the fines are a one-time fee and a suspended license could eventually be reinstated, you’ll be paying for your mistake for years with higher car insurance costs. Any conviction on your driving record labels you as a
high-risk driver
and causes significant increases to your insurance rates
. Shopping around is the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal based on your coverage needs and driving record.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
How to find cheap car insurance—even with a bad record
Driving without a valid driver's license has many consequences, ranging from financial penalties to potential jail time—but it also causes your auto insurance premium to increase once your license is reinstated.
If you’ve been nailed and need affordable car insurance coverage, there’s an easy solution: shop around with
Jerry
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in minutes.Here’s how it works: download the Jerry app, plug in your driving details, and scan your personalized quotes from top insurance companies. Once you find a policy that fits your needs and budget, one of Jerry’s experts will lock in your rate, make the switch, and help cancel your existing policy. It’s quick, simple, and hassle-free, and the average user saves more than $800 per year.
“Jerrybrought my insurance deductible down from $2.5k to $1k without me having to switch companies. I even had a ticket on my record. If it can help me, Jerry will definitely help you save money.” —Maxwell N.
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FAQs
Can you go to jail for driving without a license?
Yes—driving without a license can land you in jail, depending on your state and how many offenses you’ve racked up. A first offense in Alabama is classified as a misdemeanor and lands you up to 180 days in jail, whereas in Alaska, a first offense is a Class A Misdemeanor and results in 10-day suspended imprisonment with at least 80 hours of community service.
How much is a ticket for driving without a valid driver’s license?
The fines for driving without a valid driver’s license vary between states and with offense number. Fines run up to $10,000 for a first offense and more than $25,000 for subsequent offenses.
