Driving Without a License v. Driving Without a License in Your Possession

There is a big difference between driving without a valid license and driving without having your driver's license in your possession when you're pulled over by a police officer.

If you are pulled over by a police officer or a highway patrol man, but you do not have your driver's license with you in the vehicle, you will be issued a traffic ticket. However, according to California Vehicle Code 12951, if you can later prove that you have a valid driver's license, but that it just wasn't with you at the time you were pulled over, the prosecutors must dismiss your case.

Driving without a valid driver's license is a much more serious offense.  This offense applies to people who never took the driving test to obtain a driver's license, or whose license expired and never took the appropriate steps to renew it.  Driving without a valid license is a misdemeanor crime, punishable by up to six months in county jail and up to $1,000 in fines.   However, sometimes a person is able to get the criminal charges reduced to an infraction if they take the appropriate steps to obtain a valid driver's license.

Obtain Aggressive Defense Against Your Charges!

If you have been charged with the misdemeanor offense of driving without a valid license, a skilled Orange County criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can help you fight your charges.  There is no reason why you should allow your charges to escalate into a conviction.  Even though these seem like minor charges, they can still result in a mark on your permanent record upon conviction.

Interested in learning more about the defense services offered at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry? Contact the office today or click here to fill out a free case evaluation form!