Everything About Driving License: Types | Maximum Fine For Conviction & More
If you are new to the driving world and thinking what is the maximum fine for a conviction of driving without a valid driver’s license, we are here to help. Driving is one of the most loved activities across the country and is a guilty pleasure for many people.
It gives people a sense of freedom, lets them enjoy their love for travel & exploring, & the feeling of independence. However, enjoying driving without a valid driver’s license can put you in great difficulty. Within all states of the US, you need to own a driver’s license to be able to get behind the wheel.
If you fail to do so, the consequences can be brutal. All the states have different regulations regarding their driving license issue, which can be confusing. Today, to help you all, we bring this simple yet detailed guide to the American driving license world.
We will discuss the types of a license, the consequences of not having it, what to do if you have a suspended or revoked license, the maximum fine for driving without a license, & more. So, let us get started and help you get on with your exploration of the American license system.
What Is A Driving License?
A driving license or a driver’s license is a legal document issued by the government authority that permits the holder to operate a motor vehicle on a public road.
You can have a driving license to operate more than one type of motor vehicle, like cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, & others.
5 Different Types Of Driving Licenses
If you always had an impression that there is only one type of driving license & it can get you to drive any vehicle you like, then you are wrong. Many people out there are not familiar that there different types of vehicles. Each type gives you the legal authority to drive a specific kind of vehicle.
This means the license you need to drive a four-wheeler is going to be different from a two-wheeler. There is also variety in four-wheelers. Most of the time, people get rejected during the application process because they are not familiar with the type of license they need.
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However, this all stops now. Here we have listed five types of driving licenses that will help you clear up the confusion in the future.
1. Class D
The Class D license is the most common type of driving license in the US. People with a valid Class D license are allowed to drive passenger cars.
In addition, these people can also drive trailers & towing vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds. For example, if you own a Class D license, you can tow a boat, landscape trailer, RV, etc.
2. Class DJ or Junior License
The Class DJ license varies from state to state in the US. It is generally assigned to new or young drivers who have just cleared their driver’s test.
Under this license, there are more restrictions for driver’s safety, like the use of handheld devices, tighter weight restrictions, & driving curfews during certain times of the day.
3. Commercial License (Class A, B, & C)
A commercial driver’s license is required by a person if they are going to operate a vehicle weighing over 26,000 pounds. The Class A of commercial license deals with operating trucks like big rigs, 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, & tractor trailers.
A Commercial Class B license allows you to drive a passenger bus, construction vehicle, box truck & other similar vehicles. The Class C commercial license is for people who wish to drive a vehicle with 15 or more passengers or transport hazardous waste.
4. Class E (Taxi & Livery)
Although Uber and Lyft have killed the taxi culture, they somehow remain popular. To drive a taxi or for-hire vehicle across the US, you require a Class E license. This license comes with a passenger limit.
5. Motorcycles
To ride a motorcycle or bike many states require a separate license. Many states have junior motorcycle licenses or MJ. However, these MJ licenses come with far more restrictions than the Class D licenses.
The Importance Of A Driving License
Whenever there is a talk about a driving license, many people do not think of it as more than a document one needs to carry while driving. And if you are one of such people, don’t be surprised.
A huge number of people in America consider a driving license as a mere legal obligation. However, it is more than that. This gap of people not knowing how crucial driving can be is why many drive without one or do not care enough for it.
If you are someone who has to be ignorant of their driving license, you need to stop it now. You might hate your goofy picture on that license, but that plastic card with your image is way more worthy than you can imagine.
Below we have listed why your driving license is the most important thing you can carry in your wallet. Before you worry about what is the maximum fine for driving without a license, learn about its importance:
– Licensed Driver
The primary importance of your driver’s license is that it notifies law enforcement personnel that you are legally allowed to operate a motor vehicle in your state. A driving license gives you the right to operate a vehicle on public roadways.
– Official Personal I.D.
There are times when you will require to prove your identity, like opening a bank account, applying for a loan, etc. For all such tasks, you can use your driving license as valid I.D. proof.
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Your driver’s license is universally accepted as a form of personal identification as it displays your crucial information like photos, contact information, etc.
– Helps In Identification
If you are ever involved in an accident, your driving license helps the officials to identify you with the help of all the information it holds.
With the help of the details on your license, the officials can easily contact your family, and the hospital can begin your admission process.
– Assist In Hospital Proceedings
If you pass away unexpectedly and have no family or friends around to vouch for you, then doctors can learn if you are an organ donor or not by looking for the universal organ donor symbol displayed on your driver’s license.
– Get Your Wallet Back
It is nothing new for a person to lose their wallet. And the chances of retrieving it are low. However, studies show that people are more likely to return a wallet with a driving license in it. This is because they learn about you through it, and reaching out becomes easier.
– Multipurpose
A driver’s license not only allows you to drive a motor vehicle. It serves as your vessel license, CDL license, and motorcycle license.
– Helps In Finding You
If you ever go missing, law enforcement & news agencies are more likely to gather your demographics from your driver’s license as it is government-approved. So, it is better to update your information, especially the identifying one every time you renew your license.
– Acts As Your Travel I.D.
While traveling within the US via airways most airlines require you to show your driver’s license with your boarding pass before you can board a plane. This is the easiest way to check your identity without creating any fuss.
– Show You As A Responsible Citizen
If you own a driving license, it showcases that you are a responsible citizen who abides by the traffic rules & regulations. Even if you get into any trouble, your license will show your sincerity towards law & order.
– Helps You Buy Alcohol Or Tobacco
People working at convenience stores, bars, & other places where they sell alcohol or tobacco are trained to sell such things only to patrons of legal age.
They ensure it via your driving license. Thus, a driver’s license can get you your favourite drink without restriction. And if your kid is a minor, their license will ensure they are not able to buy any alcohol or tobacco.
– Your Entry To A Club
Gone are the days when it was easy to fool bouncers to get into a club. Nowadays, you need a valid I.D. to get in. Your driving can serve the purpose, and you can enjoy & party with your friends with no worries.
What is License Suspension Or Revocation?
Never think that simply because you have a driving license you are free of any responsibilities or duties. You, as a driver, are never allowed to slack off or violate the rules & regulations.
Many people become careless after getting a permanent driving license when they have earned enough experience. However, this is where most drivers get wrong and end up hurting themselves.
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Being careless and wreckless behind the wheel can lead to the suspension or revocation of your driving license. If you have your license revoked or suspended, it means you have done a serious traffic violation.
Although the terms might seem similar, they are quite different. Check out our quick overview of these two major driver’s license violations:
- Suspended License
If you have a suspended license, it means there is a temporary loss of your driving privileges. It usually happens due to driving without insurance proof, an excessive amount of points on your license, or another major offence.
In some states, the suspension on your license ends automatically & it gets reinstated. However, in others, you may have to apply to your DMV to lift eh suspension.
- Revoked License
The revocation of the license means your license has been canceled. You need to meet some imposed requirements or time frames to be able to reapply for a completely new license. Having a revoked license is more serious than a suspended license. It indicates a serious infraction like a DUI.
3 Main Reasons For License Suspension Or Revocation
Each state has the right to suspend & even revoke the license of a driver. However, it is not something personal. You can lose your driving privileges due to various reasons as they vary from state to state.
There are a few common reasons across all the fifty states of the United States Of America that lead to the revocation or suspension of a license.
– Demerit Points
The demerit points are something that gets added to a driver’s license when they violate the traffic law. It is common & harmless to have one or two points on your license.
Most state governments are okay with a few demerit points on the license. However, if you have too many demerit points, then you will be suspended.
– Impaired Driving
If you are driving under the influence, it is referred to as impaired driving. If you are ever pulled over & caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it can ruin your driving record.
Every state has its punishment for this offense. However, mostly the driver is seen to get their license suspended for a certain period, generally months.
– Collision Liability
If you ever get into an accident, there are chances your license can get suspended. This is a sure thing if you are the one responsible for the collision and lack liability coverage.
What Happens If You Do Not Have A License?
Most of the time people only worry about what is the maximum fine for a conviction of driving without a valid driver’s license. However, it is a secondary issue.
The foremost concern that you as a driver should consider is what will happen if you do not have your license on you while driving. You can be in big trouble if you are pulled over by law authorities and caught driving on public roads without a license.
1. Correctable Offense
If you have a valid driving license but did not have it on you when pulled over by law authorities, it will be considered a correctable offense. In such cases, you usually get a fix-it ticket where the driver can show their license again.
2. Willful Violations
If you do not have a license or your license is suspended or revoked, it is considered a willful violation. It means the driver knows they are making a mistake and still commits it. Under such a situation, you can get a ticket, a fine, or jail time.
What Is The Maximum Fine For A Conviction Of Driving Without A Valid Driver’s License?
If you have ever driven without a license in the US & gotten away with it, consider yourself lucky and pledge to never repeat it.
Driving without a valid license might seem thrilling, but it has some serious consequences. The conviction penalties may vary from state to state, but they can highly impact your financial status.
To help you understand better, here we have some of the most common consequences for a conviction of driving without a valid driver’s license.
- Longer Suspension
As you know, suspension of driving licenses is one of the most common punishments for driving without a license.
However, if you are a serial offender, you can get your license suspended for a longer period compared to a first-timer & other drivers.
- Revoked Vehicle Registration
Driving without a license, especially on public roads, is a serious offence. If you get convicted for this, the court can revoke your license, based on your driving record.
There are more chances of revocation if your license is not clean and this is not your first time.
- Financial Renumuration
If you are a first-time offender, the fine for a first conviction of driving without a license is around $500 to $10,000.
However, if you get caught more than once for driving without a license, the fine can increase by double or triple.
- You Might Need Lawyers
If under any circumstances you were declared a risky driver and given jail time, you will need a lawyer to get you out of such a situation.
Understand hiring lawyers will be costly and time-consuming. But this is the only way you can get out of spending months in jail.
- Impoundment Of Car
Another consequence you will face if you are caught driving without a license more than once is car impoundment.
The authority of the state where you reside has the right to seize your vehicle. To get your ride back, you will have to pay various fines, crushing your finances.
- Felony On Record
One of the biggest reasons you should be cautious while driving is that even one mistake can scar your record. If you drive without a license, the first time can be considered an honest mistake.
However, if it is a repeat offence, it is considered a crime. All the drivers with a frequent record of driving without a license get a felony on their record.
- Hard time To Get Insurance
Driving without a license can hurt your credibility more than you can imagine. People with poor records find it hard to get insurance. And even if you do get insurance, the rates are skyrocketing.
Drivers with a record of frequent felonies are considered risky drivers as they are more likely to file a claim. Thus, they get higher insurance rates.
The maximum fine for a first conviction of driving without a license is less than a regular offender. However, the severity varies from state to state. Some states can be lenient on first-timers, while some are not.
Here we have listed a few states of the US along with the penalties they offer to someone driving without a license.
1. California
In California, first-time offenders can get a fine between $300 to $1000, and imprisonment for 5 days to 6 months. However, the frequent offenders get a fine between $500 to $2000 and imprisonment for 10 days to 1 year.
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2. New York
In the state of New York, if you are caught driving without a valid driver’s license, and you are a first-time offender, you get about $200-$500 fine, imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.
Moreover, if you are a regular offender, you will get a fine of not less than $500 and imprisonment of not more than 180 days.
3. Illinois
For first-time offenders, Illinois authorities can charge a fine of no more than $2000 and imprisonment for not more than a year. A subsequent offender will have to pay a fine of no more than $25000, imprisonment for 1 to 3 years, and possible vehicle impoundment.
If this is your more than four times getting caught without a driver’s license, there can be possible seizure of the license plate, and possible vehicle immobilization.
4. Washington
In Washington, there is no differentiation based on the times of the offence occurrence. Whether you are a first-time offender or a subsequent one, you will get imprisonment for not more than 364 days, a fine not more than $5000, or both.
5. Texas
The first-timers driving without a license will get a fine of not more than $500. However, the subsequent offenders will get imprisonment not more than 180 days, a fine not more than $2000, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )
What are the documents required to get a driver’s license?
The document requirements for a driver’s license vary from state to state. However, there are a few documents that most states will ask for like:
- Your identity proof,
- Place of residence,
- Social security card
- Parent’s Identity & Consent (If you are 16 years old)
However, if you have recently moved or are not a resident of the state you are currently in, you need to provide additional documents like:
- Schooling certificate
- Certification of driver’s education, & more
As the document requirements vary, it is better to contact your local DMV for further details.
What are the different forms of unlicensed driving?
If you are thinking about unlicensed driving, there are different varieties to it. Each type carries a different penalty for it. Check out the different types here.
- Driving without a valid license
If you drive without ever having been issued a license, it is typically considered a misdemeanour or infraction, depending on the state you reside in.
An infraction can cause you a fine of around $25-$200, some states even assess the demerit points to your record. However, a misdemeanour can get you a fine of up to $1000 and even jail time.
- Expired License
If you are caught driving with an expired license the fine is around $25-$250. However, some judges can be willing to reduce the fine or dismiss the charge if you get a valid license before your court date.
- License Not In Possession
If you own a license but did not have it on you while driving you mostly get a fix-it-ticket along with a modest fee. In some states, you can resolve the ticket by providing your valid license at the police station.
Is it possible to get car insurance without a license?
Yes, you can get car insurance without a license but it can be a difficult task. There needs to be a valid reason as to why you need car insurance if you can drive.
There are a few reasons an insurance company might consider giving you insurance without a license:
- Underage Driver At House
If you have an underage driver in the house you surely will require insurance for them. Most insurance companies do not allow a driver under 18yrs to purchase insurance coverage. So, you can apply for the insurance under your name. But as you do not drive, the premium is going to be costly.
- You Have A Driver
If you have a valid reason like health issues that do not allow you to drive but you have hired someone to chauffeur you around, you will still need the insurance.
You need a primary licensed driver for your car who will be driving your ride on regular basis. It can be anyone. Thus, based on this fact you can get insurance. However, the premium will depend on the record of your primary driver. So, choose someone with a decent driving record.
What happens if I get caught for never having a license?
If you are ever pulled by a cop and they discover that you never applied for a license, then your case will be handled as a misdemeanour. However, if the cop discovers you are not allowed to have a license (no matter the reason), it will be a felony.
What is the penalty for an 18-year-old driving without a license?
If you are a minor driver or someone under 18 years of age and you get caught by cops for driving without a license, it is considered a misdemeanour. You may have to pay some fine and your parents will be informed.
What is the difference between a suspended and revoked license?
If your license is suspended it means you are not allowed to drive any vehicle temporarily for a particular period. While a revoked license indicates that its owner is not allowed to drive any vehicle indefinitely or permanently.
What is the maximum fine for a conviction of driving without a license?
The fine for conviction of driving without a license varies from state to state. Some states have reasonable rates while some have rates indicating such reckless behaviour is not appreciated.
For example, the state of Indiana has the highest fines in the country for a first offence at up to $10,000. Illinois can impose a fine of around $25,000 for a regular offence.
Conclusion
A driver’s license is one of the biggest forms of independence. Owning one will give you pride & freedom. We hope this guide helps you understand the world of US driver’s licenses and answer your questions like what is the maximum fine for a conviction of driving without a valid driver’s license & more.
