What happens if you drive while your license is suspended

Alabama

§32-6-19

Misdemeanor: $100-$500 fine; additional fine of $50; imprisonment for no more than 180 days; immediate vehicle impoundment; possible license suspension increase by 6 months.

Alaska

§28.15.291

(First Offense) Class A Misdemeanor: 10 day suspended imprisonment provided at least 80 hours of community service are completed; possible forfeiture of vehicle; license suspension increased by at least 90 days.

(Subsequent Offense) Class A Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for at least 10 days; possible forfeiture of vehicle; license suspension increased by at least 90 days.

Arizona

§28-3473
§28-3511

§13-707

Class 1 Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for up to 6 months; possible vehicle impoundment.

Arkansas

§27-16-303

Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for between 2 days and 6 months; possible fine of not more than $500.

California

Veh. Code
§14601 and 
§14602.6

(First Offense): Imprisonment for between 5 days and 6 months; $300-$1000 fine.

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for between 10 days and 1 year; $500-$2000 fine.

Colorado

§42-2-138

(First Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 6 months; fine of no more than $500; license suspension increased by 1 year.

(Subsequent Offense): Driver ineligible to be issued a driver’s license for a period of three years.

Connecticut

§§14-215, 14-227h

(First Offense): Imprisonment for no more than 3 months, $150-$200 fine, or both.

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for no more than 1 year, $200-$600 fine, or both.

Delaware

21 Del. C. §2756

(First Offense): Imprisonment for between 30 days and 6 months; $500-$1,000 fine; possible vehicle impoundment of at least 90 days.

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for between 60 days and 1 year; $1,000-$4,000 fine; possible vehicle impoundment of at least 1 year.

District of Columbia

ND.C. Code Ann.
§ 50-1403.01

Imprisonment for no more than 1 year, fine of no more than $2,500, or both.

Florida

§ 322.34

§ 775.082

§ 775.083

(First Offense) 2nd Degree Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 60 days or $500 fine.

(Second Offense) 1st Degree Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 1 year or $1,000 fine.

(Subsequent Offense) 3rd Degree Felony: Imprisonment for no more than 5 years or $5,000 fine. Offenders must be imprisoned for a minimum of 10 days. 

Immediate vehicle impoundment.

Georgia

§40-5-121

(First Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for between 2 days and 1 year; possible additional fine of no more than $500.

(Second or Third Offenses) High and Aggravated Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for between 10 days and 1 year; possible additional fine of $1,000-$2,500.

(Fourth or Subsequent Offenses) Felony: Imprisonment for 1-5 years; possible addition fine of $2,500-$5,000.

License suspension increase of 6 months. Reinstatement fees of:

(First Offense): $210, or $200 if paid by mail.

(Second Offense) $310, or $300 if paid by mail.

(Subsequent Offenses) $410, or $400 if paid by mail.

Guam

No Information

Hawaii

§291E-62

*This statute applies to drivers who have had their license revoked, suspended, or cancelled due to a charge of Driving Under the Influence, (DUI)

(First Offense): Imprisonment for 3-30 days; $250-$1,000 fine; license suspension increased by 1 year; additional, inapplicable penalties.

(Second Offense): Imprisonment for 30 days; $1,000 fine; license suspension increased by 2 years; additional, inapplicable penalties.

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for 1 year; $2,000 fine; permanent license revocation; Additional, inapplicable penalties.

Idaho

§18-8001

(First Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for between 2 days and 6 months; fine of no more than $1,000; license suspension increased by 180 days.

(Second Offense): Imprisonment for between 20 days and 1 year; fine of no more than $1,000; license suspension increased by 1 year.

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for between 30 days and 1 year; fine of no more than $3,000; license suspension increased by 2 years.

Illinois

625 ILCS
5/6-303

730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-55

730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-45

(First Offense) Class A Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 1 year; fine of no more than $2,500.

(Subsequent Offense) Class 4 Felony: Imprisonment for 1-3 years; fine of up to $25,000.

Possible vehicle impoundment.

(Fourth or Subsequent Offenses): Possible seizure of license plate; possible vehicle immobilization.

Indiana

Ind. Code Ann.
§ 9-30-10-16

§ 35-50-2-7

Class 6 Felony: Imprisonment for between 6 months and 2 years, 6 months; fine of no more than $10,000.

Iowa

§321.218

Simple Misdemeanor: $250-$1,500 fine; license suspension increased for an additional like period or for one year, whichever is shorter.

Kansas

§8-262

(First Offense) Class B Nonperson Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for at least 5 days; fine of at least $100.

(Subsequent Offense) Class A Nonperson Misdemeanor: Imprisonment without eligibility for parole until completion of 5 days; fine of at least $100.

License suspension increased by 90 days.

Kentucky

§ 186.620
§189A.090
§532.020

(First Offense) Class B Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for at least 90 days; license suspension increased by 6 months.

(Second Offense) Class A Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for between 90 days and 1 year; license suspension increased by 1 year.

(Third or Subsequent Offense) Class D Felony: Imprisonment for 1-5 years; license suspension revoked for additional 2 years.

Louisiana

§32:415

Person with a Class D or E driver’s license: Imprisonment for no more than 6 months, fine of no more than $500, or both.

Person with a Class A, B, or C driver’s license: Imprisonment for no more than 6 months, fine of no more than $5,000, or both.

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for between 7 days and 6 months; fine of $300-$500; potential civil fine of no more than $1,150.

(Subsequent Offense) Class A, B, or C driver’s license: Imprisonment for between 7 days and 6 months; fine of $300-$500; potential civil fine of no more than $2,500.

License suspension increased by 1 year.

Maine

Title 29-A
§2412-A

Class E Crime

(First Offense): $250.

(Second Offense): $500.

Possible license suspension of 1 year.

Maryland

§16-303

§16-402

§ 27-101
§ 27-111

(First Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 1 year, fine of no more than $1,000, or both; possible license suspension increased by no more than 1 year.

(Subsequent Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 2 years, fine of no more than $1,000, or both; possible license suspension increased by no more than 18 months if second offense, no more than 2 years for subsequent offenses.

Possible vehicle impoundment.

Massachusetts

Ch. 90; §23

(First Offense): Imprisonment for no more than 10 days, $500-$1,000 fine, or both

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for between 60 days and 1 year.

License suspension increased by 60 days.

Michigan

§257.904

(First Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 93 days, a fine of no more than $500, or both.

(Second Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 1 year, a fine of no more than $1,000, or both.

Cancellation of vehicle’s registration plates.

License suspension increased by like period.

Minnesota

§171.24

§609.02

Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 90 days, fine of no more than $1,000, or both.

Mississippi

§63-11-40

Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for between 48 hours and 6 months; $200-$500 fine; license suspension increased by 6 months.

Missouri

§302.321

(First Offense) Class D Misdemeanor: No set term of imprisonment; not to exceed one year.

(Second Offense) Class A Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for between 6 months and 1 year.

(Subsequent Offense) Class E Felony: Imprisonment for no more than 4 years.

Montana

§61-5-212

§61-5-102

(First Offense): Fine of no more than $500. 

(Second Offense): Imprisonment for between 2 days and 6 months; fine of no more than $500; license suspension increased by 1 year. 

Nebraska

§60-4,108

(First Offense) Class II Misdemeanor: Unable to operate any motor vehicle for 1 year; license revocation for like period. 

(Second or Third Offense) Class II Misdemeanor:  Unable to operate any motor vehicle for 2 year; license revocation for like period. 

(Fourth or Subsequent Offense) Class I Misdemeanor:  Unable to operate any motor vehicle for 2 year; license revocation for like period.

Nevada

§483.560

§193.150

Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 6 months, a fine of no more than $1,000, or both.

If license (suspended), extension of suspension by like period.

If license (revoked), extension of period of ineligibility for license by 1 year.

If license (restricted), revocation of restricted license and extension of period of ineligibility for a license, permit or privilege to drive for 1 year.

These terms are to run consecutively.

New Hampshire

§263:64

Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for at least 1 week; fine of no more than $1,000; license suspension increased by 1 year.

New Jersey

N.J.S.A.
39:3-40

(First Offense): $500 fine.

(Second Offense): Imprisonment for 1-5 days; $750 fine.

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for 10 days; $1,000 fine.

License suspension increased by no more than 6 months.

New Mexico

§66-5-39

Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for 4-364 days; possible fine of no more than $1,000.

Possible vehicle immobilization.

New York

V&T 511

(First Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 30 days, $200-$500 fine, or both.

(Subsequent Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 180 days; fine of no less than $500.

North Carolina

§20-28

N.C.G.S.A.

§15A-1340.23

(First Offense) Class 3 Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for 1-10 days; fine of no more than $200; license suspension increased by 1 year.

(Second Offense): License suspension increased by 2 years.

(Third Offense): Permanent license suspension.

North Dakota

§39-06-42

§ 12.1-32-01

(First, Second or Third Offense) Class B Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 30 days, $1,500 fine, or both.

(Fourth or Subsequent Offense) Class A Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 1 year, $3,000 fine, or both.

Possible destruction of license plate.

Ohio

§4507.02

(First Offense) Unclassified Misdemeanor: Fine of no more than $1,000; 500 hours community service.

(Subsequent Offense) 1st Degree Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 180 days; $1,000 fine.

Possible license plate impoundment.

Oklahoma

Title 47:

§6-303

Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 30 days, $50-$300 fine, or both.

(First Offense): $100-$500 fine.

(Second Offense): $200-$750 fine.

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for no more than 1 year, $300-$1,000 fine, or both.

Oregon

Or. Rev. Stat. Ann.
§ 811.175

Class A Traffic Infraction: $220-$2,000 fine.

Possible vehicle impoundment. 

Pennsylvania

75 Pa. CSA

§1543

First Violation: Summary Offense; $200 fine; license suspension increased by 1 year if originally suspended, 2 years if it was originally revoked.

Second Violation: Summary offense; fine of $1,000; imprisonment for no less than 90 days. 

Subsequent Violation: 3rd Degree Misdemeanor; fine of $2,500; imprisonment for no less than 6 months.

Puerto Rico

No Information

Rhode Island

§31-11-18

HB 7679 (2016)

(First Offense) Violation: $250-$500 fine.

(Second Offense): $350-$500 fine

(Subsequent Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for up to 90 days, $500-$1,000 fine, or both and license suspension up to 90 days. 

South Carolina

§56-1-460

(First Offense): Imprisonment for no more than 30 days, $300 fine, or both.

(Second Offense): Imprisonment for no more than 60 days, $600 fine, or both.

(Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for no more than 90 days; $1,000 fine.

South Dakota

§32-12-65

(Revoked) Class 1 Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 1 year; fine of no more than $2,000.

(Suspended or Cancelled) Class 2 Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 30 days; fine of no more than $500.

Tennessee

§55-12-131
§55-50-504

(Non-Resident) Class B Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for not more than 6 months, fine of no more than $500, or both.

(Resident) (First Offense) Class B Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for not more than 6 months, fine of no more than $500, or both; license suspension increased by like period of time.

(Resident) (Subsequent Offense) Class A Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for not more than 11 months, 29 days, fine of no more than $2,500, or both; license suspension increased by like period of time.

Texas

Tex. Transp.
Code Ann.
§ 521.457;
Tex. Penal Code
Ann. § 12.23; §12.22

(First Offense) Class C Misdemeanor: Fine of no more than $500.

(Subsequent Offense) Class B Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 180 days, fine of no more than $2,000, or both.

Utah

§53-3-227

§76-3-301

Class B Misdemeanor: Imprisonment of no more than 6 months; $1,000 fine.

Vermont

§674

(First Offense): Imprisonment for no more than 2 years, fine of no more than $5,000, or both.

(Sixth or Subsequent Offense): Imprisonment for no more 2 years, fine of $5,000, or both.

Possible seizure of license plates.

Virginia

§46.2-301.1

§18.2-11

Class 1 Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 12 months, fine of no more than $2,500, or both. Vehicle may be impounded for up to 90 days. 

Washington

§46.20.345

Gross Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for no more than 364 days, fine of no more than $5,000, or both.

West Virginia

W. Va. Code
Ann. § 17B-4-3

(First Offense) Misdemeanor: $100-$500 fine.

(Second Offense) Misdemeanor: $100-$500 fine.

(Third or Subsequent Offense) Misdemeanor: Imprisonment for 30-90 days; $150-$500 fine.

Wisconsin

§343.44

(Suspended): $50-$200 fine.

(Revoked): Fine of no more than $2,500.

Vehicle may be impounded.

Wyoming

§31-7-134

§31-4-104

Misdemeanor: Fine of no more than $750, or both. 

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.

How do you get around a suspended license?

How to Get Around While Your License Is Suspended.
Applying for a Restricted Driver's License..
Using Public Transportation or Ridesharing..
Carpooling, Walking, and Biking..

How much is a driving while suspended ticket in Alabama?

According to Alabama Code § 32-6-19, if an individual is convicted of driving with a suspended or revoked license, he or she can be ordered to pay a fine between $100 and $500, and be sentenced to up to 180 days behind bars.

Is driving on a suspended license a misdemeanor in Arkansas?

You can be charged with a crime if you drive with a suspended or revoked license. The offense is a misdemeanor that carries a minimum sentence of two days in jail and a maximum sentence of six months in jail. In addition, you may be fined up to $500 and be given an extended period of suspension or revocation.