What You Need to Know About Violation for Driving Without a Valid License in Florida

The penalties for driving without a valid license in Florida are serious.  The punishments for driving without a valid license include possible jail time and monetary fines. In addition, depending on the facts, such an offender may lose any chance of driving in the future.

In Florida, there are many reasons that may lead one to be caught driving without a license. Traffic violations are not the only reasons that can result in a suspended or revoked drive license.  Below are some circumstances that can result in license suspension or revocation.

•       Failure to pay child support or alimony
•       Failure to pay for car insurance premium
•       Failure to renew a driver’s license
•       Accumulation of 12 points or more on the driving record
•       Accumulation of unpaid traffic violations or tickets

Anyone can check to see if his or her license is valid by visiting the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site: www.6hsmv.state.fl.us/dlcheck/main.

Penalties for Driving Without a License

If you have been cited with Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) or Driving While License Revoked (DWLR), you should immediately contact a criminal defense attorney. Penalties depend on the reason why a driver ispulled over whether the driver’s license of the driver is revoked, suspended, or there is not license at all.

Under Florida Statutes Section 322.02 (“No Valid Driver’s License”), it is a 2nd degree misdemeanor criminal offense to drive in Florida without having a valid driver’s license, such offenses are punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

If a driver is pulled over with a license revoked permanently, the fees go up to $5,000 and the driver will face a 3rd degree felony charge.

Although Florida does not have a motorcycle helmet law, it is a crime to operate a motorcycle without the proper motorcycle endorsement on a driver’s license, or to drive a commercial vehicle without the applicable commercial driver's license (CDL).

Defense of DWLS Charges:

It is critical that you speak with a criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible after you have been charged with such an offense.  In Florida, drivers who did not know their license was suspended can only be charged with a civil misdemeanor, and thus not a crime.  Make sure you have the right criminal lawyer to defend your legal rights today! Getting lawyer will surely help you with any DWLS charges. Your lawyer will explain what the charges are and what legal steps you should take to defend yourself.

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Timothy C. Nies leads the firm's personal injury, maritime injury, civil litigation, and commercial litigation practice groups. He has spent the past 10 years, first defending well-funded insurance companies and large corporations in complex personal injury cases. If you you are looking for Stuart FL Criminal Defense Attorneys, talk to Stuart FL criminal lawyers at Law Offices of Van Riper and Nies Attorneys today!