California Vehicle Code 12500(a) states that:
A person may not drive a motor vehicle upon a highway, unless the person then holds a valid driver’s license issued under this code, except those persons who are expressly exempted under this code.
You may be charged with this offense if you are driving and:
- Have never obtained a driver’s license
- Failed to renew your driver’s license after it expired
- Established residency in California but failed to obtain a California driver’s license, or
- You are ineligible for a driver’s license in California
Driving without a license can be charged as a misdemeanor and will go on your criminal record and you may be placed on informal probation, spend up to six months in jail, pay a fine up to $1,000 and face a possible 30-day impound of your car. Please note that this code does not pertain to people who have a valid driver’s license but do not have it in their possession. It pertains to people who do not actually have a valid license at all.
Driving without a license under Vehicle Code section 12500 is not the same offense as driving on a suspended or revoked license which is prohibited under California Vehicle Code 14601. Driving on a revoked or suspended license is a more serious offense and has more severe penalties such as a higher jail sentence.
To avoid having this offense on your record, you need an aggressive attorney to fight to have this misdemeanor reduced to an infraction or dismissed. Call our office to speak with William Daley; an experienced San Diego criminal defense lawyer and San Diego DUI attorney. Call (619) 238-1905 for your free 30 minute consultation today!
