You should always make sure that you have your driver’s license on you whenever you are operating a motor vehicle. Driving without your license isn’t just a minor traffic violation and should not be compared to that of a speeding ticket. It is a serious criminal offense and penalties can be severe depending on the laws governing your state. For example, driving without a license in New York is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine up to $500 and imprisonment for up to 30 days. In Illinois, you can have your driving privileges and right to apply for a license revoke for driving without a license.

If you don’t get a new license after moving to a new state, you could also get into trouble. As soon as you move to a new state, apply for a driver’s license. The timeframe within which you are required to change your driver’s license is different in every state. If do not do so in a timely fashion, your old license will be considered void and you will become an unlicensed driver. Don’t wait! Apply for a new driver’s license as soon as possible to avoid any penalties.

Don’t ever allow an unlicensed driver to operate your car or vehicle. Some states enforce serious penalties if an unlicensed driver is caught driving your own vehicle. For example, you can be put in jail and ordered to pay a large fine in Florida for this offense.

Unlicensed driving remains a serious problem in the United Sates. Over 10 percent of the drivers involved in fatal crashes are caught without a valid license, and approximately 20 percent of all fatal crashes involve at least one of these drivers. Driving without a license undermines the effectiveness of the driver licensing system by preventing the allocation of “points” and reducing the impact of license loss. People tend to think that unlicensed drivers drive more cautiously because they are afraid of getting caught by the police, but this isn’t necessarily true. There is also a growing number of statistics linking unlicensed driving to high-risk behaviors such as drunk driving, speeding, failure to wear seatbelts and other hazardous driving habits. Crashes involving drivers who do not have a valid license are also more brutal than those involving licensed drivers, resulting in higher rates of fatality and serious injury. This is most prevalent amongst those drivers who have never obtained a license in the first place and those who have had their driver’s license suspended for criminal related charges.

Lawmakers are cracking down on people who are arrested for driving without a license; therefore you will most likely need a lawyer if you are caught driving without one. Depending on the state and the charges you are facing, he or she can provide you with sound legal advice in order to deal with the charges. Driving without a license isn’t worth the risk. Have with you at all times, especially if you are planning on driving anywhere.