Driving While Your License is Suspended

Because driving is a privilege and not a right, the court can take away your license for a number of reasons. For example, the court may suspend your license because you were convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVWI) or because you’ve been labeled a habitual traffic offender. However, because driving is so necessary in our society, some people with suspended licenses choose to drive anyways.

Driving while your license is suspended is illegal. If you receive notice that the State of Indiana has suspended or revoked your license, you should not drive. If you are caught driving while your license is suspended, that is a Class A infraction which is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000.

Driving while your license is suspended can be bumped up to a Class A misdemeanor in two situations. First, it can be bumped up if you are caught driving while suspended twice within ten years. It can also turn into a Class A misdemeanor if your license was suspended as a result of your conviction of an offense. If your case becomes a Class A misdemeanor, you could be punished by up to a year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.

Finally, if you are driving while your license is suspended as a result of a criminal conviction, you can face more serious charges if someone gets hurt or dies. If someone gets injured in an accident, you could be charged with a Level 6 Felony, which is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and 6 months to 2 ½ years in prison. If someone dies or is catastrophically injured, you could be charged with a Level 5 Felony, which is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and 1 to 6 years in prison.

If your license has been suspended, you may be eligible for specialized driving privileges. To learn more and find out if you are eligible, check out our blog on Specialized Driving Privileges in Indiana.

If you have been charged with driving while your license is suspended, contact McNeelyLaw today. Call us at 317-825-5110 to talk with an experienced Indiana criminal defense attorney who can help you navigate your case.

This McNeelyLaw LLP publication should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion of any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own lawyer on any specific legal questions you may have concerning your situation.