According to Bloomberg, More than 80% of Americans drive to work. This is a large percentage of American workers. For them, having their driving license suspended can lead to a significant loss of income. But the question is, can you drive with a suspended license?
Technically, yes, you physically can. However, driving with a suspended license is a serious offense against the law. Thus, even when you are physically capable to do so, you must never drive with your license suspended.
Driving with a suspended license can result in major consequences. But what are the reasons that caused this suspension? Let’s find out.
Causes Of A Driver’s License Suspension
There are many reasons why someone’s driver’s license can be suspended. For instance, it is a serious offense for anyone to drive while intoxicated. Besides this, acquiring too many points on a driver’s license is bad. It can force the state to suspend the driving privileges of an individual.
When this license is suspended, a driver is restricted from driving under any scenario. In some states like New Jersey, it is impossible to obtain a hardship license. This kind of license represents a limited driver’s license. It ensures that an individual can drive to work and other important places. These could include the children’s school or doctor’s appointments.
You can face serious issues when you are caught driving with a suspended driver’s license. Having a DUI attorney can help you make informed decisions.
Suspended And Revoked Licenses: What’s the Difference?
These two terms seem similar. Yet, there are different levels of severity with respect to both terms.
A suspended license can span for a certain period. Besides this, there are given conditions that must be satisfied before the license can be reinstated. In the state of California, if a driver without proof of insurance gets into an accident, the license can be suspended for about four years. Then, there is a need to prove insurance for another three years.
In some cases, suspensions can be set for an indeterminate period. Then, there is a certain minimum period before reinstatement can be considered. This could take about one year or more. When this happens, you might be required to pay a certain fee before the license can be reissued or reinstated.
On the other hand, a revoked license implies that you must reapply for the license from scratch. This is similar to what you do when you apply for a license for the first time. In addition, when a driver is deemed unfit to drive, revocations can occur.
There are many other reasons why a license can be revoked:
- health conditions
- substance abuse
- fraudulent and criminal activity
Similarly, there are many reasons why a driver’s license can be suspended. These can vary from one state to another. The list below represents some of these reasons:
- Not paying child support
- Driving or getting into an accident with an invalid DUI insurance
- Failure to pay fines or license fees
- Many driver’s license points lost
- Offenses related to fraudulent or criminal activities.
- Providing false data when completing applications with the DMV.
Contacting a Top DUI Lawyer
Getting your license revoked or suspended can be very serious. However, you can learn more about how these work and what to do by contacting the DUI lawyers. They will also represent you well.
The DUI lawyers will ensure that you spend less time in a courtroom. Moreover, they will help you save enough money. In addition, they possess the knowledge that you lack.
Types of License Suspension
Note: The types of license suspension are based on the length of time a license can be suspended.
Fixed-Term Suspension
With this type of suspension, it is possible for a driver to make amends before a specific due date. By meeting the right driving license requirements, a condition can be fulfilled for applying for reinstatement of the license. In states like California, one year can represent the minimum period for reinstatement to occur.
Indefinite Suspension
This kind of suspension is not associated with a fixed term. What this implies is that it can last for as long as the driver doesn’t make amends. Yet, exceptions can exist based on the nature of the violation.
Consequences of Driving with a Suspended License
There are various penalties that are set to punish those that drive with a suspended license. These consequences may vary from one state to another. Yet, a common attribute they all share is that driving with a suspended license can result in a steep fine or jail time.
For instance, in the District of Columbia, the fine to be paid for such a violation can be as high as $5,000. Besides this, a jail time of a year can also be an inevitable consequence. This kind of offense in New York is regarded as an Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (AUO). An imprisonment of about 30 days and a fine of $500 can be the result of such an offense.
Repeat Offenders Face More Serious Penalties
A repeat offender when it comes to driving with a suspended license can face serious penalties. In some states like Michigan, this offense can result in immobilization, plate confiscation, or registration denial. There are many essential daily activities that must be carried out. For this reason, many people with suspended licenses might be tempted to quickly run errands or meet up with colleagues.
In many cases, this might not be a huge deal. Yet, such offenses might turn into a nightmare for an unlucky offender. After all, these are offenses that can lead to serious consequences. In California, when you are caught driving with a suspended license, you might face mandatory jail time that can extend for as long as six months. In addition, you might be forced to pay hefty fines.
In other states, these consequences might be less severe. Yet, the severity of the penalty will inevitably rise for repeat offenders. In Kansas, a driver might commit a second offense of driving with a suspended license. When this happens they might face jail time of at least one year.
Furthermore, a DUI might be the reason behind the suspension of a driver’s license. Then, the sentences enforced by many states are often more severe. This is especially true for individuals that violate such suspensions. You might consider contacting a DUI lawyer to know more.
Conclusion
The importance of having a driver’s license in the United States cannot be stressed enough. This license ensures that you are a certified vehicle driver. Then, you can drive lawfully – to work, to run errands, or visit your friends.
However, there are certain instances that can result in your driver’s license getting suspended. For instance, driving under intoxication can get your license suspended. During this period, you are not expected to be behind the wheels of a car.
However, if you are caught driving with a suspended driver’s license, you are likely to face jail time or pay a hefty fine. Yet, the penalty varies from one state to another. There is a lot to learn. You can hire a DUI lawyer for expert opinions.
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