According to federal law, driving is a privilege. Meaning that if you don’t have your license on you when you’re pulled over, you could face serious consequences, depending upon the circumstances.
There are two reasons why someone may be driving without a license: the driver has a license and didn’t bring it, called a “correctable offense” or “fit-it-ticket”, or the driver’s license has been suspended or revoked and they chose to drive anyway, called a “willful violation”. Let’s take a deeper look at what happens when you get pulled over without a driver’s license.
Getting Pulled Over Without A License
Driving without a license is considered a crime in all 50 states. But, the penalties vary state-by-state, and based on whether or not the offense was intentional.
The consequences for getting pulled over without a license can include fines, community service, and/or jail time, though the latter is uncommon for correctable offenses. The fines for driving without a license range anywhere between $100 and $1,000. The severity of the penalty for getting pulled over without a license increases if you are unable to present a valid driver’s license later on in court. The penalty can also be more severe based on the seriousness of your traffic infraction – driving without a license is bad, but driving without a license under the influence is much worse. Here’s a bit more detail on the difference between a correctable offense and a willful violation when it comes to getting pulled over without a license.
Forgetting a License – A Correctable Offense
If you simply forget to bring your license in the car with you, the infraction is a bit different. Usually, if an individual doesn’t have a driver’s license to show to the police officer when they get pulled over – but they do have a valid driver’s license issued under his or her name – they will be issued a much less severe traffic citation. If the individual appears before court (with their valid license), the citation can often be pleaded down or dismissed altogether.
Steps to take if you forget your license and are pulled over:
- Be honest, and tell the police officer you have a valid driver’s license but it is not with you.
- Provide the officer with your full name, date of birth, and current address. If he or she asks you for any other information, give an honest answer.
- Keep in mind not carrying your driver’s license is an arrestable offense in most states, so it is important to be cooperative with the police officer.
Remember, you will still be charged for the traffic violation that you were pulled over for (speeding, running a red light, etc.) even if the correctable offense is dismissed.
Driving Without a Valid License – A Willful Violation
Driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license is an arrestable offense that is much more serious than driving with no driver’s license or simply forgetting it.
People whose licenses have been suspended or revoked are not supposed to be driving at all until they resolve the issues that led to the suspensions or revocations. Additionally, people who are caught driving on suspended or revoked licenses could lose their driving privileges even longer than they did initially and have to serve longer lengths of jail time and pay higher fines and fees.
What to do if you get pulled over and have a suspended or revoked license:
- Tell the officer that your license is revoked or suspended. He or she will find out either way, so it’s better to be honest from the beginning.
- Provide your full name, date of birth, current address, and the reason why your license was revoked or suspended.
- Do not give the officer false information to try to get out of the situation. He or she will look up your record and see that you were lying, which is another offense.
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license is an arrestable offense. If you are honest and cooperative, you may receive a citation. But, if you lie and are disrespectful, you may be arrested and charged.
Have You Gotten Pulled Over Without a License?
There is no guarantee that you will get your traffic infraction dismissed if you get pulled over without a license. However, your chances are better if you are honest and respectful to the police officer and in court. If you have been pulled over without a license, whether you forgot yours at home or you do not have a valid ID, it is a good idea to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer who can tell you the best way to proceed.
For more information about the legalities of your driver’s license, here’s a deeper look at what happens if you drive without a license.