Driving without a License

Penalties for Driving Without a License

In Pennsylvania, you are forbidden from driving a vehicle on the Commonwealth’s roads without a valid driver’s license.

If you are convicted of driving without a license you will usually be charged with a summary offense. If so, you will probably be fined $200.

If you are pulled over by the police and don’t have your license with you, you won’t be charged with driving without a license if:

• You produce a valid driver’s license within 15 days of the violation and take it to the office with issuing authority
• At the time of the violation you had a valid license, but your license was lost, stolen or destroyed.

If you can prove that you have a driver’s license that was valid on the last day of the preceding driver’s license period and not more than a year has elapsed from the last date for renewal, your fine will be $25.

Penalties for Driving Without a License in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, it’s illegal to operate a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license. If you’re caught driving without one, you could face serious consequences.

Summary Offense & Fines

In most cases, driving without a license is treated as a summary offense, which typically results in a $200 fine.

However, you won’t be charged with this offense if either of the following applies:

• You produce a valid driver’s license within 15 days of the traffic stop and present it to the appropriate issuing authority.

• At the time of the stop, you held a valid license that was lost, stolen, or destroyed.

If you can prove that your license was valid on the last day of the previous licensing period and not more than one year has passed since your renewal deadline, your fine may be reduced to $25.

Driving With a Suspended License

Driving while your license is suspended, revoked, or canceled carries much steeper penalties than simply not having a license with you. You may face additional license suspension time, significant fines, and even jail time.

Hiring an experienced Pennsylvania defense attorney can help you navigate these charges and potentially reduce your penalties.

Reasons for License Suspension in Pennsylvania

Your license may be suspended for various reasons, including:

• Accumulating 11 or more points on your driving record
• Serious traffic offenses (e.g., hit-and-run)
• DUI convictions
• Felonies involving the use of a vehicle
• Homicide by vehicle
• Drag racing on public roads
• Reckless driving
• Driving while already suspended

Driving Under Suspension: What You Should Know

Under Pennsylvania law, you commit an offense if you operate—or even have control of—a vehicle while your license is suspended, revoked, or canceled.

Important: You don’t have to be driving to be charged. If you are in the driver’s seat with the key in the ignition, you may be considered “in control” and charged accordingly.

Penalties for Driving Under Suspension

• First offense: Usually a summary offense with a $200 fine.
• Second offense: Up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
• Suspension due to DUI:
  • First violation: $500 fine and 60 to 90 days in jail.
  • With a BAC of .02% or higher:
    • First offense: $1,000 fine and minimum 90 days in jail.
    • Second offense: Misdemeanor (3rd degree), $2,500 fine, and 6 to 12 months in prison.
    • Third offense: Misdemeanor (1st degree), $5,000 fine, and 2 to 5 years in prison.

In any of these situations, your license may be suspended for a longer period, and your vehicle could be impounded.

What To Do If The Police Pull You Over

• Do not try to talk your way out of the arrest.
• If the police question you repeatedly, politely refuse to answer their questions and tell then you want a lawyer.

How a Pennsylvania Drivers License Attorney Can Help

For most of us, driving is a necessity. You need to drive to get to work or school or to run errands. When you don’t have a license you still have those same pressing needs. So it is tempting to drive without a license.

When you are up against a traffic violation, you need a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney who will stand by you every step of the way, work hard to discredit any evidence – and work with you to determine your best course of action.

Pennsylvania Traffic Violation Law

Traffic violation is described and defined under The Pennsylvania Code under Title 75. Read the code here.