Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in every state, and the consequences start when ready
The moment a police officer discovers your license is suspended, you face arrest, vehicle impound, and criminal charges. You will not straightforward receive a ticket and drive away. The officer will likely handcuff you, take you to a police station or jail for booking, and confiscate your vehicle. Your car may be towed to an impound lot, where you will owe storage fees that accumulate daily — often $25 to $75 per day depending on your location.
A suspended license means a court or your state's Department of Motor Vehicles has officially revoked your driving privilege. This is different from an expired license, which is a civil violation. Suspension is a punishment, and driving anyway is treated as breaking the law, not as a paperwork mistake.
The specific penalties depend on why your license was suspended, how many times you have been caught driving suspended, and your state's laws. But every state treats this as a crime, not a traffic infraction.
Key Takeaways
- Driving on a suspended license results in when ready arrest, vehicle impound, and criminal charges — not a straightforward ticket.
- You will face jail time, fines, and a longer suspension period added to your original suspension.
- Your vehicle will be towed and impounded, and you will owe daily storage fees until you retrieve it.
- A criminal record from this conviction can affect employment, housing, and insurance for years.
- The only legal way to drive is to have your suspension lifted by the court or DMV that imposed it.
Criminal charges and jail time you will face
Driving with a suspended license is charged as a misdemeanor in most states, though a few treat it as a felony if you have prior convictions or caused an accident. A misdemeanor conviction can result in 5 to 90 days in jail, depending on your state and whether this is your first offense. Repeat offenders face longer sentences — a second or third offense within a set period (usually 5 to 10 years) can mean 30 days to six months in jail.
You will also face fines. First-offense fines typically range from $250 to $1,000. Second and third offenses carry higher fines, sometimes $500 to $2,000 or more. Some states also impose court costs and probation fees on top of the fine itself.
If you caused an accident while driving suspended, the charges escalate significantly. You may face reckless driving charges, hit-and-run charges if you left the scene, or even felony charges if someone was injured. Insurance will almost certainly deny any claim related to an accident you caused while driving illegally.
How your suspension gets longer
When you are convicted of driving on a suspended license, the court does not straightforward let your original suspension stand. The state adds additional suspension time on top of what was already imposed. This extension typically ranges from six months to two years, depending on your state and the circumstances.
So if your license was suspended for six months originally, and you are caught driving during that suspension, you might face a total suspension of 12 to 18 months or longer. If your suspension was already indefinite (meaning it has no end date until you meet certain conditions), a conviction for driving suspended can make it even harder to get it reinstated.
Some states also impose a mandatory waiting period before you can even request reinstatement. You may have to wait 30 to 90 days after your conviction before the DMV will consider your reinstatement request.
Vehicle impound and storage costs
When you are arrested for driving suspended, the police will impound your vehicle. This is not optional — it is standard procedure in most states. Your car goes to an impound lot, and you cannot retrieve it until you pay the towing fee (usually $150 to $300) plus daily storage fees.
Storage fees accumulate quickly. Most impound lots charge $25 to $75 per day, sometimes more in urban areas. If your car sits for two weeks, you could owe $350 to $1,050 in storage alone, on top of the towing fee. If you cannot pay within a certain period — often 30 to 90 days — the lot may sell your vehicle to cover the costs, and you lose the car entirely.
To retrieve your vehicle, you will need to show proof that your license is no longer suspended or that you have a valid reason to drive (such as a work permit in some states). straightforward paying the fees is not enough — you must also resolve the underlying suspension.
Criminal record and long-term consequences
A conviction for driving on a suspended license creates a permanent criminal record. This record shows up on background checks for employment, housing, and loans. Many employers, especially those in transportation, security, healthcare, or positions requiring a clean driving record, will not hire you. Landlords may deny your rental process. Banks may deny you credit.
Insurance companies will see the conviction and either deny you coverage or charge you significantly higher premiums — sometimes double or triple the normal rate. Some insurers will not cover you at all after a suspended-license conviction, forcing you to seek high-risk insurance pools that cost far more.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, a conviction for driving suspended can trigger immigration consequences, including deportation proceedings. Even a misdemeanor can affect your visa status or citizenship process.
Why your license was suspended in the first place
Understanding why your license was suspended is the first step to getting it back. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, DUI or DWI conviction, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, or failure to maintain car insurance.
Each reason has different requirements for reinstatement. If your suspension is due to unpaid fines, you must pay them. If it is due to a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program and install an ignition interlock device. If it is due to unpaid child support, you must bring your payments current. If it is due to too many points, you may need to wait out a suspension period and then pass a written test.
Contact your state's DMV or the court that suspended your license to find out the exact reason and what you must do to restore it. Do not assume you know why — the reason determines what you must do next.
How to get your suspension lifted
The process depends on why your license was suspended. Start by contacting the DMV office in your state or the court that issued the suspension. You can usually find this information in the suspension notice you received, or by calling your state's DMV directly.
If the suspension is due to unpaid fines, you must pay them in full. If it is due to unpaid child support, contact your state's child support enforcement office and arrange a payment plan or bring your account current. If it is due to a DUI, you will need to complete a DUI education program, pay reinstatement fees, and possibly install an ignition interlock device.
Once you have met all the requirements, file a reinstatement request with the DMV. There is usually a reinstatement fee, typically $50 to $200. The DMV will review your request and either reinstate your license or tell you what additional steps are needed. This process can take two to four weeks.
Until your suspension is officially lifted, do not drive. Driving even once more will result in another arrest and additional charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a work permit to drive while my license is suspended?
Some states issue restricted or work permits that allow you to drive only to and from work or for essential purposes like medical appointments. You must request this from your DMV, and approval is not may provide. Many states only grant work permits for suspensions due to unpaid fines or points, not for DUI or criminal suspensions. Contact your state DMV to ask whether you are may be able to access.
What happens if I am caught driving suspended a second time?
A second offense carries harsher penalties: longer jail time (often 30 days to six months), higher fines (often $500 to $2,000), and an even longer suspension period added to your record. You will also face a criminal record with two convictions, which makes employment and housing much harder. Some states treat a third offense as a felony.
Will my insurance cover an accident if I was driving on a suspended license?
No. Insurance companies will deny any claim related to an accident you caused while driving illegally. You will be personally liable for all damages, medical bills, and property damage. The other driver can sue you directly for these costs.
How long does a suspended license conviction stay on my record?
A criminal conviction for driving suspended stays on your record permanently in most states. It will show up on background checks for employment, housing, and loans indefinitely. Some states allow you to petition for expungement (removal) after a certain period, usually five to seven years, but this requires a court order and is not may provide.
Can I drive someone else's car while my license is suspended?
No. Your suspension applies to you as a driver, not to a specific vehicle. If you are caught driving any car while suspended, you will be arrested and charged. The owner of the car may also face charges for allowing you to drive.