The consequences for driving in the state of Texas with an invalid or
suspended driver’s license are potentially quite serious and can lead
to a variety of unwanted consequences. Texas traffic laws tend to be
complex and may also change without warning. For these reasons it is
extremely important to retain a Texas attorney who can help you navigate the laws while watching out for your rights.
License Suspensions in Texas While it’s true that if you are a first time offender you will probably never see the inside of a jail cell should you be caught driving with a suspended or invalid license, don’t discount the possibility altogether. You will be charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense which can bring hefty fines as well as result in your license being suspended for an even longer period of time. Many people are completely unaware that their license has been suspended, and are shocked when a police officer runs their license during a routine traffic stop.
At this point the police officer will likely issue a citation requiring an appearance in court or, in some cases, could actually take you to jail. In either case you will not be driving away in your car. Driving with a suspended or invalid license can be potentially embarrassing as well as resulting in serious criminal charges. Hiring a knowledgeable attorney at this point could mean the difference between having no driver’s license at all and the possibility of obtaining an occupational license which will allow you to drive to work and school.
Reasons You May Have a Suspended License If you were found to be driving under the influence, then you likely received a driver’s license suspension as part of the penalties incurred; in this case you must request an occupational license. Should you have received two convictions for having no insurance, then you may have had your license suspended. This will require that you first obtain the necessary auto insurance then contact the Texas Department of Public safety in order to pay a reinstatement fee. You might also have suffered a license suspension as a result of too many moving violation convictions although you would probably have received a letter from DPS in this case. While these suspensions can be challenged in court, you must act quickly. Remember that a criminal license suspension is issued by criminal courts while a civil license suspension comes straight from DPS.
Penalties for Driving With a Suspended License A Class C misdemeanor will be charged against an offender who was unaware of their license suspension. An example of this would be if your insurance company dropped you as a client and notified the state prior to notifying you. In such cases the ticket might be waived should the offender be able to provide proof that insurance still exists, and they will likely receive a fine of no more than $500 upon conviction.
Should you knowingly be driving around the state of Texas with a suspended license, have been caught previously driving on a suspended license or have been convicted of a DUI you could receive as much as six months in county jail and receive a license suspension twice the amount of time it was originally suspended for. The primary penalty for driving on a suspended license is the expense; not only are you responsible for paying the DPS fines you will also have to pay towing fees, impound fees and criminal fees which can go as high as $2,000. You will also have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee once your suspension is lifted and a surcharge as high as $250 per year for a period of three years. Getting insurance at all once you have had your license suspended can be difficult, and should you be able to get it, it will likely be almost prohibitively expensive.
License Suspensions in Texas While it’s true that if you are a first time offender you will probably never see the inside of a jail cell should you be caught driving with a suspended or invalid license, don’t discount the possibility altogether. You will be charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense which can bring hefty fines as well as result in your license being suspended for an even longer period of time. Many people are completely unaware that their license has been suspended, and are shocked when a police officer runs their license during a routine traffic stop.
At this point the police officer will likely issue a citation requiring an appearance in court or, in some cases, could actually take you to jail. In either case you will not be driving away in your car. Driving with a suspended or invalid license can be potentially embarrassing as well as resulting in serious criminal charges. Hiring a knowledgeable attorney at this point could mean the difference between having no driver’s license at all and the possibility of obtaining an occupational license which will allow you to drive to work and school.
Reasons You May Have a Suspended License If you were found to be driving under the influence, then you likely received a driver’s license suspension as part of the penalties incurred; in this case you must request an occupational license. Should you have received two convictions for having no insurance, then you may have had your license suspended. This will require that you first obtain the necessary auto insurance then contact the Texas Department of Public safety in order to pay a reinstatement fee. You might also have suffered a license suspension as a result of too many moving violation convictions although you would probably have received a letter from DPS in this case. While these suspensions can be challenged in court, you must act quickly. Remember that a criminal license suspension is issued by criminal courts while a civil license suspension comes straight from DPS.
Penalties for Driving With a Suspended License A Class C misdemeanor will be charged against an offender who was unaware of their license suspension. An example of this would be if your insurance company dropped you as a client and notified the state prior to notifying you. In such cases the ticket might be waived should the offender be able to provide proof that insurance still exists, and they will likely receive a fine of no more than $500 upon conviction.
Should you knowingly be driving around the state of Texas with a suspended license, have been caught previously driving on a suspended license or have been convicted of a DUI you could receive as much as six months in county jail and receive a license suspension twice the amount of time it was originally suspended for. The primary penalty for driving on a suspended license is the expense; not only are you responsible for paying the DPS fines you will also have to pay towing fees, impound fees and criminal fees which can go as high as $2,000. You will also have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee once your suspension is lifted and a surcharge as high as $250 per year for a period of three years. Getting insurance at all once you have had your license suspended can be difficult, and should you be able to get it, it will likely be almost prohibitively expensive.
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