On the Wrong Side of the Track: The Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License

To say you’ve been unlucky when it comes to receiving traffic tickets is a bit of an understatement. There was that time you were caught going 85 mph on 1-495,  that night when you were pulled over on Route 29 for a burned out taillight, and that time when you had a bit too much to drink and were caught swerving on Fairfax Parkway. The culmination of all of these offenses resulted in you having your license suspended.

You know you should stay off the road, but your daughter’s elementary school called and said she was sick, so you had to go and get her. Sure enough, you were pulled over and the officer alleged that you were driving on a suspended license. Now what?

Driving Without a Valid License Leads to Trouble

Driving on a suspended license in Virginia is serious business, and you can expect a harsh penalty for doing so. Following is a brief overview:

• Hefty fines. Not only is getting caught driving when you shouldn’t be behind the wheel stressful, it’s also expensive. Motorists may receive fines up to $2,500 for driving on suspended licenses.
• Additional license suspension. If you thought getting through the initial suspension was difficult, things are about to get worse. Virginia law requires judges who convict motorists for driving on suspended licenses to add an additional suspension to that person’s license for the same period of time for which the license was originally suspended. For instance, if the initial suspension was six months, another six months will be tacked on to the time.
• Jail time. If you’ve been caught driving when your license is suspended at least three times, you can expect to spend some time in the big house. Judges are required to sentence such drivers to at least 10-days jail time for committing these acts.

We Want to Help You Drive Again

Having a license means having a certain amount of freedom. Often, we take this freedom for granted until it is stripped away from us. We understand the stress, fear, and uncertainty you are feeling right now and want to help.

Contact the Easley Law Firm to speak with an attorney about your case. We have helped many motorists who were in the same situation as you get on the right track to getting their licenses back. We may be able to help you, too.