When it comes to proving your identity and age, your driver’s license is the most common form of identification. If you’re like most people, you probably carry your driver’s license in your wallet at all times. But what happens if you lose it or it gets stolen? What can you do to drive without a license on you? If you have had your license stolen or lost it somehow, this article will answer all of your questions about driving without a license on you. You may need to get from point A to point B at some point in your life. In this blog post, we will let you know if that is possible with no DL on you and what alternative options there are for you. Keep reading to learn more!
Can I Drive Without My License on Me?
The short answer is no, you can’t drive without your license on you. Depending on the state you live in and the type of license you have, you may or may not need to carry your license with you when driving. In most states, it is required by law to have your license with you when driving. In some cases, only a photocopy of your license is acceptable. This varies by state, so it is important to check with your local DMV if you are unsure whether or not you need to carry your actual license with you when driving.
Why You Should Never Drive Without Your Driver’s License On You?
1. You Can Get Arrested
Driving with a false ID is a crime and, in most cases, a misdemeanor. The exact charges depend on the laws in your state, but you could face a fine and even up to a year in jail. If you’re driving with a false ID and are pulled over, you’ll probably be arrested and charged with a Class B misdemeanor. However, if you commit another crime while driving with a false ID, you could be charged with false identification with intent to defraud and a felony. This means you could end up in prison for several years. Driving without a driver’s license on you is a serious offense that can lead to far worse consequences than simply a traffic ticket. According to the Driving Safety Foundation, you can be arrested, charged, and even convicted of a crime for driving with a false ID.
2. You’ll End Up With a Suspended License
Depending on the state you live in, driving without a driver’s license on you can result in the suspension of your driving privileges for a certain amount of time. The length of the suspension will depend on your state’s specific laws. For example, in Washington, you can be charged with a gross misdemeanor if you’re caught driving with a suspended license after not having it with you. These suspensions are added to any other suspensions you may already have, and they may result in you not being able to drive at all until the suspension is lifted. Depending on the state, you may be able to get your license reinstated once you show proof that you have your license in your possession.
3. There Are Very Fierce Consequences for Being Convicted of This Crime
Driving without a driver’s license on you can result in far more than a simple traffic ticket. In some cases, it can even lead to a felony conviction. The specific charges you face depend on your state, but they can go from a simple misdemeanor all the way up to a felony. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the crime and your criminal history, driving without a driver’s license on you could result in a felony conviction. The exact penalties for a felony vary from state to state. In some cases, you may have to pay hefty fines and even spend some time in prison.
4. It Can Lead to Worse Criminal Charges Later On
If you’re caught driving with a false ID, it may also lead to more serious criminal charges later on. For instance, if you’re pulled over for driving under the influence and you have a false ID, you can be charged with a felony. For the DUI charge, you can face the same consequences as someone who was caught driving with a suspended or revoked license. You may also have to deal with additional charges, including identity theft and possession of false identification.
What To Do If Your License Is Lost Or Stolen?
- If you lose your license, it is important to note that the DMV will not issue you a duplicate until your current license has expired for a certain amount of time. This is an important distinction to make because if you lose your license and then renew it, you will not be able to drive legally until the expiration date of the renewed license.
- The length of time that your lost or stolen DL should be valid varies depending on the state in which it was issued. If the state requires that your license be valid for one year, then it should be valid for up to one year after you have lost or stolen it. If the state requires that your license be valid for two years, then it should be valid for up to two years after you have lost or stolen it. However, some states require longer than two years before issuing a replacement DL.
- It’s also important to note that if you do not report losing or stealing your DL within 30 days after it’s been stolen or lost, then you will be denied a new DL. This means that if your license was stolen or lost in the past month, you will have to wait at least 30 days before you can apply for a duplicate license. If your license was stolen or lost more than 30 days ago, then it can be issued immediately if you meet the other requirements.
- If you lose your license, then it is important to report the loss right away. If it was stolen and not reported within 30 days of being stolen, then it cannot be replaced with a duplicate until at least one year after the theft has occurred. However, if it was reported within 30 days of being stolen, then there may be some exceptions to this rule. It is best to check with your state DMV about their rules for reporting and replacing DLs when they are lost or stolen.
- The best thing that you can do if your license is stolen or lost is to report it right away. In the event that your DL was stolen and not reported within 30 days of it being stolen, then you will not be able to get a replacement until at least one year after the theft has occurred. As long as your license was reported within 30 days of being stolen, you may be able to get a new one immediately.
- If your license is stolen, then there are some important things that you should know about reporting your loss and getting a replacement. If you do not report your license being stolen within 30 days of it being stolen or lost, then you cannot get a new license until at least one year after the theft has occurred. This means that if your license was stolen in the past month, then it can only be replaced within one year of the theft occurring.
How To Obtain An Emergency License?
- In certain circumstances, you may be able to obtain an emergency license, which can be valid for up to 60 days. For example, your license may have been suspended following a DUI arrest or if you’ve failed to pay a traffic violation.
- In some states, you can apply for a provisional license if you’re a high school student. A provisional license typically functions as an intermediate license between a regular driver’s permit and a full driver’s license.
- Depending on the severity of your situation, you may be able to get an emergency license that lets you drive to work, school, and/or medical appointments.
When You Can’t Wait For Your New License?
- If you’re driving with a suspended license or an expired license, you may want to get a restricted license. If you’ve violated the law, you may be eligible for a restricted license.
- Depending on your situation, a restricted license may allow you to drive to work and/or school. It may also be valid for driving to medical appointments.
- In some cases, you may be able to get a restricted license immediately. For example, if you’ve failed a breathalyzer test for a DUI, you may be immediately eligible for a restricted license.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we explored what to do if your license is lost or stolen, what it means to drive without a license, and how to get an emergency license. Most importantly, we also explored how to drive with no license on hand, when you can’t wait for your new license, and when you can’t wait to obtain a restricted license.
