If you get pulled over without your driver's license on you, the consequences depend largely on whether you actually have a valid license or not, and the jurisdiction where you are stopped.
- If you have a valid license but just forgot it (e.g., left it at home), typically the police officer may issue a citation or a warning. You might be allowed to present your license later in court to have the charge dismissed or reduced, often with a small administrative fee. This is usually treated as a minor infraction rather than a criminal offense. For example, in California, driving without carrying your physical license is generally an infraction and does not usually lead to arrest unless there are other issues like outstanding warrants or suspicion of more serious offenses
- If you are driving without ever having obtained a license, or if your license is suspended, revoked, or otherwise invalid , the penalties are much more severe. This can be a criminal offense with fines, possible jail time, and other sanctions such as driving bans. For instance, in Germany, driving without a valid license can lead to imprisonment of up to one year and/or fines, and may also result in a permanent driving ban and mandatory medical-psychological examination
. In the U.S., driving without a valid license can lead to fines ranging from $50 to over $1,000, possible jail time, and vehicle impoundment
- If you are caught driving without your license on you but can prove later that you had a valid license at the time , many jurisdictions will dismiss or reduce the charge upon proof. However, if you cannot prove this, you may face fines or other penalties.
- Additional factors such as driving under the influence, having outstanding warrants, or repeated offenses can escalate the consequences, potentially leading to arrest and more serious criminal charges
In summary, simply forgetting your license on you usually results in a citation or warning, while driving without a valid license at all is a serious offense with significant legal consequences including fines, possible jail time, and driving bans depending on local laws
