Can you go to jail for driving without a license? You guessed it right! As a citizen of the United States, driving without a driver’s license constitutes a major violation of traffic laws. But there is a catch!

Traffic laws are indeed not meant to be trifled with. However, there is no major cause for concern if this is your first offense. The Judiciary of the United States usually gives the young and naive enough leeway. Learning from your mistakes and not making them again is the key. 

What are the Basic Laws on Driver’s Licenses?

Quite country to popular belief, traffic laws are less complex. In this article, we examine the most common traffic laws while answering all your questions relating to them. United States being a Federal country, different states follow different traffic laws. The traffic laws of the USA address the following grassroots-level points.

Minimum Age Requirements

With age comes maturity. This principle is followed when giving citizens their driver’s licenses. American teenagers can usually apply to get their learner’s permit at 16 years of age.  Depending on which state the learner resides in, various restrictions exist on learners’ licenses. Some states impose night driving curfews or maximum passenger limits on new drivers. 

Educate the Drivers

Driver’s education programs exist in quite a few states. Behind-the-wheels training, practical instructions for safe driving, and overall awareness of traffic rules are taught to the students.

Driving Tests are Important

Individuals in the United States and all around the world usually require passing a written and practical test. On passing these tests successfully, we can be sure that we know the basics of traffic laws and all the safe driving practices.

Proof of Identity

Identity proofs may include the following:

• Basic identity documentation
• Social security number
• Any other unique ID
• Document proving your presence in the United States legally.

These documents state that one is indeed a loafer resident of the United States and is not impersonating another person. Drivers’ licenses are usually non-transferable documents. Therefore providing your identity proof only helps the government recognize impersonators or theft cases.

Renewal of License

A driving license given to an individual usually expires after a period of 4 to 8 years. After that, one has to go through a vision test, pay a renewal fee, and update any documentation required by state laws. To keep you up to date with the current traffic laws, some States also require you to pass the driving test yet again. 

Suspension of Driver’s License

Driving without a license is a strict violation of your state’s traffic laws that could get you into trouble. Some of the most common ones are:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (commonly known as DUI).
• Crossing the speed limit on the road. 
• Getting too many traffic tickets.
• Misbehaving with authority when pulled over.
• Caught on the road carrying out illegal activities.
• Not paying fines or completing courses mandated by the law. 

Crossing these limits is going to get you into trouble with traffic laws. 

Answering: Can you go to jail for driving without a license?

If a driver in the United States of America is found to operate without a driver’s license,

a. They may face criminal charges and, therefore, jail time. 

b. The may be answerable as a civil liability for meeting any accidents.

However, if one is driving without a license and happens to suffer injuries due to the accident, it is best to contact an injury lawyer.

Can you go to jail for driving without a license: A  list of the offenses and the charges 

When you are driving without a license on you, there may be legal trouble.

• The state laws of the United States usually require the driver to carry the license in their immediate possession. 
• The license should also be immediately produced if law enforcement requests so. 

• Absence of a valid license

Law enforcement treats the absence of a valid license even worse than having no license. 

• A person may end up facing jail time, 
• probation, and 
• even fines along with these. 
• They may also get their driving license suspended for a certain period of time.

• Penalties: Can you go to jail for driving without a license?

In a lot of states, driving without a driver’s license is registered under charges of a misdemeanor. It’s me cause 12 months of jail time for the person involved or even of fine up to $1,000. 

Driving Without Ever Getting a License

Authorities in most of the states of the US take this very seriously. It is often interpreted as very careless behavior. Lack of proper training and no written and practical assessments can lead to dangerous situations. 

An active license but not in person: Can You Get Arrested?

Even if the driver has an active license, they could get arrested immediately if the law enforcement finds them driving without the license in person.

One is looking at more time in jail if they happen to get convicted of any more license-related offenses.

Therefore the answer to your question, “can you go to jail for driving without a licence?” is yes. The punishment for an adult for driving without a license can range from registration being revoked to long-term suspension of the license. Repeated offenses may lead to the government ceasing the vehicle. These incidences have been seen to affect insurance rates negatively.

Finally, What to Do if You Go to Jail for Driving Without a License?

Now that you have the “can you go to jail for driving without licence” question answered, time for the next bit. If you do and get arrested for driving without a license, don’t worry. You will be given a chance to contact your lawyer. 

Even though expensive, it is best to hire a lawyer in complicated cases. The typical attorney charges in the United States of America range from hundred dollars to 400 an hour. This may seem like a lot of money, but keeping you from further legal is necessary. Try getting in touch with any local legal agency or DUI lawyers. Automobile and DUI lawyers have a lot of experience in dealing with vehicle-related arrest cases.