It’s hard to know exactly how many people drive with a suspended license in the U.S., but research shows it’s fairly common. Some reports estimate that about 10% of all traffic violations involve drivers without a valid license, and unlicensed drivers are responsible for around 20% of fatal car crashes.
Young adults are more likely to drive without a license, often because financial or other barriers make it hard to get one. However, driving without a valid license has serious legal consequences. If you’ve been charged with driving on a suspended or revoked license in Illinois, it’s important to talk with an experienced Illinois license reinstatement lawyer at Fabbrini Law Group, LLC.
Penalties for Driving Without a Valid Illinois License
The punishments for driving on a revoked or suspended Illinois license can be quite serious. In some cases, your vehicle may even be towed and impounded until you pay the fees. The fines themselves can also be high. Under Illinois law, driving without a valid license is a Class A misdemeanor, the conviction of which can lead to fines, jail time, or other legal penalties.
This offense can lead to severe penalties, including as long as 364 days in county jail, a fine of as much as $2,500, and mandatory court costs. If your license was suspended or revoked because of a drunk driving charge, your first conviction for driving without a valid license comes with a mandatory minimum sentence of either 10 days behind bars or 240 hours of community service. If you’re caught again under the same circumstances, the charge can be upgraded to a Class 4 felony, which brings even harsher consequences.
A Class 4 felony conviction can lead to serious penalties, including a fine of up to $25,000 and a prison sentence of one to three years. The law also requires at least 30 days in jail or 300 hours of community service. If your license was suspended or revoked because of reckless homicide, the punishment can be even harsher.
If you’re convicted of driving on a revoked or suspended license, your revocation or suspension period will be extended for the same amount of time as before. If your suspension has already ended but you haven’t renewed your license, it can be suspended again for the same duration as the original suspension.
What if I Never Had an Illinois Driver’s License?
If you have never legally held an Illinois driving license, then the Secretary of State will still create a driving record for you. This means that even without ever holding a license, you can still have violations or penalties recorded. In some cases, if you’ve had previous offenses, the Secretary of State can even revoke your driving privileges, despite you never having an actual license. This situation can be confusing and frustrating, especially if you’re trying to get your first driver’s license.
Additional Consequences for Driving Without a License
Being charged and convicted of driving with a suspended or revoked license can lead to more than just legal penalties. One of the biggest long-term effects is trouble getting car insurance. Even if you can find coverage, the cost is often extremely high.
Not having a valid driver’s license can also make everyday life much harder. In a country where most people rely on driving to get to work, school, appointments, and other daily activities, losing the ability to drive can greatly limit your independence and freedom.
Potential Defenses for Driving While Revoked in Illinois
A skilled Illinois license reinstatement lawyer will examine all potential legal avenues for securing a favorable result. For a traffic stop to be legal, a police officer must have probable cause, a valid reason to believe you broke the law, to pull you over. A skilled attorney may be able to show that the officer had no real justification for stopping you, which could lead to your case being dismissed.
Another possible defense is asking for court supervision, which is often available to first-time offenders. This means that if you avoid any new traffic violations for a set period of time, your current charges can be dropped without a conviction going on your record. Court supervision can be an excellent way to protect your driving record and avoid long-term consequences.
Contact Fabbrini Law Group Today
Understanding what happens and the penalties you could face if you are caught driving without a valid Illinois driving license can help you maintain your driving privileges and circumvent potential problems.
If you received a citation for operating a vehicle without a valid Illinois license, don’t wait. Talk to a trusted Illinois license reinstatement lawyer from Fabbrini Law Group as soon as possible to ensure the best possible outcome for your situation. To schedule your confidential legal consultation, call (312) 494-3131 or fill out the short contact form on our website.