Anderson Injury Lawyers | December 6, 2024 | Texas Law
What should you do if you’re injured in a car accident in Texas? According to state law, you should contact the authorities to report the accident and share your insurance and driver’s license information with the other driver. However, you may not be inclined to do so if you don’t have a driver’s license.
This is just one of many reasons the state requires you to have a valid driver’s license on you at all times while driving on public roads — it makes resolving car accidents and traffic violations easier for everyone. It also lets the state know you have the appropriate skills and understanding of driving laws and don’t present a danger on the road.
So what happens if a police officer discovers that you’re driving without a valid Texas driver’s license in your possession? The answer depends on why that’s the case.
Unlicensed Driving
To legally drive on public roads in Texas, you must possess a valid license and carry it with you at all times while operating a vehicle. If a police officer discovers that you don’t have a license, you can be penalized. The specific penalty you face depends on how many times you’ve previously been caught driving without a license.
You can be fined as much as $200 on the first offense. If you violate this statute a second time within a year, you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor offense that carries a fine of $25–$200. Any further violations within a year will result in the same fine and a jail sentence of three days to six months.
License Not In Your Possession
In some circumstances, you may have a legally valid license but forget to carry it with you when you get behind the wheel. Unfortunately, the police officer has no way of knowing whether you’re actually licensed (unless you happen to have your driver’s license number memorized), meaning you’ll likely be charged with driving without a license.
The good news is you can avoid the normal penalties for unlicensed driving by presenting proof of your valid license to the court. You’ll still have to pay a $10 dismissal fee, but you won’t face any other consequences.
Driving With A Suspended Or Revoked License
The penalties for driving with an invalid license differ from those for driving without a license. If you’re found driving with a suspended or revoked license, the first offense will result in you being charged with a Class C misdemeanor. This charge comes with a fine of up to $500.
If you’ve previously been charged with driving with an invalid license, the next charge will be a Class B misdemeanor. You’ll also be charged with a Class B misdemeanor if you’re uninsured while driving with an invalid license, even if you don’t have any previous charges. This offense carries a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail.
Finally, if you cause an accident that results in an injury while driving with an invalid license, you’ll be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. If you’re convicted of this charge, you could be fined as much as $4,000 and be sentenced to up to a year in jail.
Driving With A Fake License
Driving with a fraudulent license generally carries penalties similar to those for driving without a license or driving with an invalid license. Still, the offense is treated more severely and may result in criminal charges. However, it also includes a mandatory license suspension. If your license is already invalid, the time it remains revoked will increase.
Driving Without A Texas License
If you’re visiting the Lone Star State and you have a valid license from another U.S. state, Canada, or another qualifying country, you can legally drive on public roads. However, you must still carry your license with you at all times while driving and present it to law enforcement upon request. You can still receive penalties for driving without a license.
This rule changes slightly if you become a legal resident of the state. Texas residents must have a valid driver’s license to travel on public roads. Fortunately, you’ll be afforded a grace period during which you can drive with your previous license.
For 90 days after you become a resident of Texas, you may continue to drive using your previous valid license as long as it doesn’t expire during that time. At some point in those 90 days, you’re required to exchange your old license for a valid Texas license.
Obtaining a new license is relatively simple, provided your old license hasn’t expired. You can apply for a Texas driver’s license in person at any DMV in the state. In most cases, you’ll be issued a new license on the spot. However, you must turn in your old unexpired license when you receive your new one.
If your old license expires, getting a new one becomes more complicated. You’ll need to apply for a new license and pass all required licensing tests as you did when you got your original driver’s license.
Avoid The Repercussions Of Driving Without A License In Texas
The easiest way to avoid hefty fines and jail time while driving in Texas is to have a valid license and ensure you always carry it with you. That means you should pay attention to when your license is about to expire and renew it well before that happens. It’s also wise to take extra care to avoid traffic violations like DUIs that can result in your license getting suspended.
As long as you follow these suggestions and make it a point to always carry your license with you when you leave the house, you should be able to avoid the penalties that come with driving without a license — and the headache that comes with having your license suspended or revoked or facing jail time.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
