Driving without a license is a misdemeanor in most states, carrying a maximum penalty of a few days in jail and a few thousand dollars in fines. Driving without a license can have very serious consequences, including being pulled over by police, getting into an accident, and even getting into a car vs. walk vs. public transportation debate.
Can You Go To Jail For Driving without a License?
A person can be arrested for driving without a license and may have to pay a fine or serve time in jail. The court may also order the person to take the state’s driver’s education course and pay for the cost of that course. A person who drives without a license may also be subject to other penalties, such as having his/her license suspended or revoked.
What Are The Consequences Of Driving Without A License?
If you are convicted of driving without a license, you will be fined, and your driver’s license will be suspended. However, there are 8 other consequences that may occur as well.
- Your driver’s license will be suspended immediately upon conviction.
- You won’t be allowed to drive with a suspended license.
- If you drive with an unregistered vehicle, your vehicle will be confiscated and you will face charges of operating a motor vehicle without proper registration or insurance.
- If your vehicle is confiscated and you don’t have the proper registration on file, it will also have to be towed from the scene by law enforcement officials.
- Your vehicle can also be impounded if it is involved in an accident or if it is used in criminal activity (such as fleeing the scene of an accident). If this happens, then you can expect to pay for towing and storage fees as well as any damages caused by the accident (if applicable).
- You may be fined up to $1,000 if you’re convicted of driving with a revoked or suspended license.
- You may be prosecuted for driving without a driver’s license if you are caught without one in an area where it is illegal to drive without one (such as in school zones).
- You may receive another fine or jail time if your vehicle is not registered and you are caught driving it.
- Your vehicle will be confiscated if you’re found driving without a driver’s license in an area where it is illegal to do so. Your vehicle will also be impounded if it is involved in an accident or if used in criminal activity (such as fleeing the scene of an accident).
- If your vehicle is impounded and you don’t have the proper registration on file, you will face charges of operating a motor vehicle without proper registration or insurance.
What Is Driving Without A License?
What Is Driving Without a License? Driving without a license is considered to be the most serious traffic violation you can commit. It is illegal to drive in the state of Colorado, and if you are caught driving without a license, you will be punished by having your driver’s license suspended immediately. If you get convicted of driving with a suspended license, your driver’s license will be suspended immediately and that suspension will remain in effect until the court orders otherwise.
First Time Offenders Can Face Jail Time
If you get convicted of driving without a license for the first time, this may result in jail time. The judge may order that you spend up to 48 hours in jail for this violation. The judge may also order that you pay a fine or complete community service instead of serving jail time. If it is your second offense within one year, the judge has the option of ordering up to one year in jail or paying a fine, or completing community service instead of serving jail time. If it is your third offense within one year, the judge has the option of ordering up to two years in jail or paying a fine, or completing community service instead of serving jail time.
Colorado’s Driver’s License Suspension Laws
Colorado’s driver’s license suspension laws are based on what type of violation you have been convicted of. If you are given a traffic ticket, your license will be automatically suspended for 24 hours. However, if you are found guilty of driving without a license, then your license will be suspended immediately and remain suspended until the court orders otherwise. Colorado does not provide for an automatic suspension for the first offense of driving without a license. However, if you get convicted three times within one year, then your driver’s license will be automatically suspended for six months – unless the judge orders otherwise (see above).
Is Going To Jail For Driving Without A License?
- If you are convicted of driving with a revoked or suspended license, then your driver’s license will be revoked for at least one year.
- According to the Texas Driver Handbook, if you have a previous conviction for driving with a suspended or revoked license, then your driver’s license will be revoked for at least two years.
- A person convicted of driving without a valid driver’s license can expect to pay up to $1,000 in fines and fees. If you are also found guilty of driving without insurance or registration, then the fine is increased to $1,500.
- A person convicted of driving without a valid driver’s license can also expect to pay up to three months in jail and up to six months in prison (if applicable). If you are found guilty of this offense more than once within 10 years (i.e., two convictions), then you will face up to 180 days in jail and two years in prison (if applicable).
- If you are convicted of driving without a license and are not a U.S. citizen, then you will be deported to your country of origin.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen and are caught driving without a valid driver’s license, then you may also be subject to deportation (if applicable).
- If you are found guilty of driving without insurance or registration, then your vehicle may be impounded for 30 days (if applicable). If it is found that the vehicle was used in the commission of a crime (such as fleeing the scene of an accident), then the vehicle will be impounded for 60 days (if applicable).
- You can expect to pay up to $300 for towing and storage fees if your vehicle is impounded due to driving with no insurance or registration. You can also expect to pay up to $1,000 in fines and fees if your vehicle is impounded due to criminal activity. If your vehicle is impounded due to driving without a valid driver’s license, then the fine is increased to $2,000.
- If your vehicle is impounded due to driving without a license and you are not a U.S. citizen, then the vehicle will be returned only after the court determines you are no longer a threat to society.
- You can expect to pay $100 for your first offense of driving with no insurance or registration. If you are found guilty of this offense more than once within 10 years (i.e., two offenses), then you will face up to 180 days in jail and two years in prison (if applicable).
Final Words
Driving without a license can result in a lot of problems for both you and your car. Not only will your driving be affected, but your credit score will drop as well. The consequences can be very serious, and there’s really no good reason to risk it.