DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE: CONSEQUENCES

If law enforcement suspends or revokes your license, it can be a pain to try and find alternate transportation to work, the grocery store or even a friend's house. Because of this, you may find yourself tempted to continue driving without a license.

Even though driving with a suspended license is illegal, some choose to do it. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that around 30 percent of drivers with a suspended license commits a moving violation during the time of suspension. What are the consequences of this offense?

Reasons for Suspension

A suspended license basically means that there is a hold on your driving privileges. You are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle for the time that your license is out of order.

There are a number of reasons one may have their license suspended or revoked, including a DUI conviction, having too many points on your driving record, not paying traffic tickets, a hit-and-run, and some other offenses.

Certain offenses result in an immediate suspension, such as a DUI and a hit-and-run. But suspensions can also occur due to prolonged misbehavior, such as continuously not paying your traffic ticket fines, or not showing up in court.

Consequences for Driving on Suspended/Revoked License

A suspended license is Virginia law states that driving on a suspended revoked license as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is the highest form of a misdemeanor. This offense will stay on your criminal record as well as show up on most background checks. Your license suspension will also be extended for the same amount of time as was previously suspended or up to 90 days.

The consequences for driving on a suspended or revoked license are severe, which is why it is best to steer clear.