If you are convicted of driving while intoxicated, your driving license may be suspended or revoked. This is in addition to other penalties, including a fine and a jail term. When your license is suspended or revoked, you should not drive.
Here is what can happen if you are caught driving without a valid license.
You could face severe penalties
If you are caught driving with a suspended or revoked license, you will be charged with an aggravated unlicensed operation (AUO)-3rd degree. This is a misdemeanor and punishable by:
- A mandatory fine of $200 to $500
- A mandatory surcharge
- Possible imprisonment of up to 30 days or probation.
Being caught driving without a valid license within 18 months of an AUO-3rd-degree conviction leads to an AUO-2nd-degree offense. Its possible penalties are:
- A $500 mandatory fine
- A mandatory surcharge
- A mandatory imprisonment of up to 180 days in prison or probation.
The penalties may differ depending on the circumstances around the original suspension of the license.
An AUO 1st degree occurs when a driver is caught driving with a suspended or revoked license when intoxicated while their license withdrawal was due to an alcohol or drug-related violation. This is a felony and is punishable by:
- A $500 to $5,000 mandatory fine
- Mandatory imprisonment of up to 4 years or probation
- Possible seizure and forfeiture
How should you move around?
Of course, your life has to go on when your license is suspended or revoked. Thus, consider asking a loved one to drive you around or use public transport or a taxi. Other means are walking, cycling and ridesharing.
You should get more information about your case when you lose your driving privileges to know the best ways to defend yourself.