How much jail time for driving with a suspended license

Table of Contents Show

Criminal charges for operating a vehicle during a license suspension or revocation.
Reasons for Suspension or Revocation
Reinstating Your License
Criminal Charges for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
Legal Help for Charges of Driving After Suspension or Revocation
Why Your Driver’s License Could Be Suspended in Virginia
Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License in Virginia
What happens if you drive around with a suspended license?
What happens if you drive on a suspended license in Virginia?
What is the penalty for driving under suspension in Nebraska?
What happens if you get caught driving on a suspended license in North Carolina?

Criminal charges for operating a vehicle during a license suspension or revocation.

In Pennsylvania, your driving privileges can be suspended or revoked for many different reasons. Motorists who get caught drive during a revocation or suspension will likely face criminal charges. Depending on the circumstances, being convicted for driving on a suspended or revoked license can result in fines, jail time, and additional time without a license.

Reasons for Suspension or Revocation

Your license can be suspended or revoked for certain driving offenses, criminal convictions, and a number of other reasons. Some of the more common situations that lead to the loss of driving privileges include:

acquiring too many demerit points for traffic violation convictions
being convicted of using a vehicle in the commission of a felony
traffic violations offenses that lead to the death or injury of another person
certain types of fraud, forgeries, and counterfeiting related to vehicle documents and plates
vehicular homicide convictions
being convicted for street racing
reckless driving convictions
being convicted for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and
failing or refusing to take an alcohol test in violation of the state's implied consent laws.

However, this isn't a complete list of circumstances that can result in license suspension or revocation. Lots of other reasons can lead to losing your right to drive.

Reinstating Your License

Suspension and revocation periods vary depending on the circumstances. But once the suspension or revocation period is over, you'll typically need to pay a reinstatement fee (and might need to meet other requirements) before you can legally drive again. The fee is normally $70 or $88.

Criminal Charges for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

In most situations, driving on a suspended or revoked license is a summary offense.

In many cases, driving on a suspended or revoked license is a summary offense and carries a fine of $200 but no jail time.

However, driving during a DUI-related suspension or revocation carries more serious penalties. These types of convictions can result in:

a $500 fine and 60 to 90 days in jail for a first offense
a $1000 fine and at least 90 days in jail for a second offense, and
a $2,500 fine and at least six months in jail for a third or subsequence offense.

Driving on a suspended or revoked license will generally also result in an additional period of revocation or suspension.

Legal Help for Charges of Driving After Suspension or Revocation

Driving on a suspended or revoked license can lead to serious consequences. If you've been arrested for one of these offenses, you should get in contact with an experienced defense attorney. A qualified attorney can tell you how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on the best course of action.

Driving when your driver’s license is suspended is illegal in Virginia. You could be arrested and face a jail sentence, fine, and more if the police catch you driving without a valid license. However, an experienced reckless driving lawyer can help you get the charges dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense by mounting a strong defense and advising you on other helpful actions you can take.

Why Your Driver’s License Could Be Suspended in Virginia

If your driver’s license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive in our commonwealth for any reason, including going to work, doctor’s appointments, or picking up your kids at school. There are many reasons that your driver’s license may be suspended, such as:

Driving without required auto insurance
Having too many demerit points on your driving record
Failing to pay child support
Being convicted of reckless driving
Being convicted of DUI or DWI
Committing voluntary or involuntary manslaughter while driving or while driving when intoxicated
Providing a minor or intoxicated person with alcohol

Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License in Virginia

Under Virginia Code § 18.2-301, driving while your driver’s license is suspended is a Class 1 misdemeanor. You could be punished as follows:

You could be sentenced to up to 12 months in jail.
You could be ordered to pay a fine of $2,500 or less.
If this conviction is for a third or subsequent offense within 10 years, you could be sentenced to a mandatory 10-day jail sentence as well as the penalties listed above.
Your motor vehicle could be impounded for up to 90 days.
Your driver’s license could be suspended for an additional period equal to the original suspension.
You would have to pay additional fees to have your driver’s license restored and to obtain the return of your vehicle.
You would have a permanent criminal record.

Were you arrested for driving on a suspended license? Do you want to avoid the harsh penalties you face? Call our Manassas office or start a live chat to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can aggressively defend you and help you achieve the best possible outcome given your situation.

What happens if you drive around with a suspended license?

If you get caught driving with a suspended license, it could lead to penalties including fines and imprisonment, depending on what type of violation led to the suspension. The sentence would be more severe for repeat offenders.

What happens if you drive on a suspended license in Virginia?

Under Virginia Code §46.2-301, driving with a suspended or revoked license is a serious misdemeanor. A first or second offense can result in up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine, plus fees related to getting your license reinstated and getting your car released from being impounded.

What is the penalty for driving under suspension in Nebraska?

If your license is suspended, your driving privileges are suspended. If you operate a vehicle with a suspended license, you commit a Class III misdemeanor. A Class III misdemeanor carries the potential of up to three months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

What happens if you get caught driving on a suspended license in North Carolina?

Up to 120 days in jail. Fines to be set by the judge. Driver's license suspension of an additional one year for the first offense, two years for a second offense, and lifetime revocation for a third offense.