The Potential Consequences of Operating a Vehicle with a Suspended or Revoked License
It can seem like a harmless offense—you forgot to renew your drivers license or you got a couple of tickets and has your license suspended. But you needed to go somewhere and there was no one to take you. Unfortunately, you had a taillight out or committed some minor traffic infraction and you got pulled over. A quick check showed that you didn’t have a valid drivers license. What are the potential penalties?
Texas Takes a Serious Approach to Driving without a License
Though driving without a license may seem like an administrative error, the state of Texas does not view it that way. In Texas, operating any type of motor vehicle on the roadways when you don’t have a valid license is a crime. Furthermore, it doesn’t matter why you don’t have a current license—it’s your responsibility to know whether your license has expired, been suspended or revoked. You must also have the appropriate license for the type of vehicle you drive. For example, if you are behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle, you may need a Class C license.
The Prospective Penalties for “Driving without a License”
If you are convicted of driving a motor vehicle on the road in Texas without the proper license, you can face a number of potential sanctions:
- You will most likely receive a ticket for a moving violation and can be charged with a misdemeanor crime
- You can face fines of up to $200 if it’s your first infraction, and more, if you are a repeat offender
- If it’s your third conviction for the same offense, you could be fined up to $500 and spend 6 months in jail
- Your vehicle may be impounded
- The conviction may stay on your permanent record
If your drivers license simply expired (you neglected to renew it in a timely manner), you will incur a $200 fine, as well as an annual $100 surcharge when you renew your license (for the next three years). The fine can be avoided, however, if you promptly renew your license, pay a $20 fee and bring proof of the renewal to the court.
If, however, your license was invalid due to a suspension or revocation, you’ll face a slightly different charge—Driving While License Invalid. If you’ve had a prior conviction for this offense, you can be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, which can lead to fines of anywhere from $500 to $2,000 and 6 months of incarceration.
What If You Cause an Accident While Driving without a License?
If you cause a wreck and it is established that you don’t have a valid operator’s license, the stakes go up dramatically. You can be arrested and charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which can result in fines of up to $4,000, as well as up to a year in jail.
Contact the Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen
At the law office of Bailey & Galyen, we offer a free initial consultation to every client. To speak with an aggressive criminal defense lawyer, contact us by e-mail or 844-402-2992 call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. We will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
