The only consistent thing in life is change, hence the continual improvement in technology which has led to the invention of innovative and contemporary items, automobiles are one of them. Automobiles have assisted In the easy movement of individuals from one location to another. But before an individual can be allowed this luxury he must first take a driver’s test and after the completion of the test, he gets his license. Let’s know more about driving without a license.
Driving Without a License
A Driver’s License is a legal, official document used to confirm an authorization for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles. It is an official document that an individual authorized to drive a car must own. A driver’s license is a vital document, below are some reasons why:
It identifies one as a licensed driver
It serves as an official personal means of identification
It allows for easy identification by an emergency official in cases of an accident
It proves that one is capable to drive on their own without any need for monitoring
It gives one freedom, this is because an individual who owns a license can move around freely without the need of a chauffeur.
It provides easy employment, as one with a driver’s license is at a higher advantage of getting a job.
Taking note of all these advantages of having a driver’s license can’t be over-emphasized enough how indispensable it is to obtain a driver’s license, there are issues associated with driving without a license. It is not only dangerous but also a criminal offense punishable by the law. It is a known fact that one without a driver’s license caught driving is an unauthorized driver and is susceptible to penalties because of this offense. These penalties include:
- Payment of a fine: An Individual caught driving without a license could be arrested and required to pay a fine, which could range from $150 to $10,000, depending on the number of times that individual has driven without a license.
- Revoked driving privileges: An individual caught driving without a license gets all his driving privileges revoked a suspension for months could also be issued to this individual and in some cases, this suspension may not be revoked.
- It is a Misdemeanor: It is a criminal offense that can lead to the incarceration of such an individual for some time, depending on the severity of the offense.
- Seizure of Vehicles: The vehicle could be impounded for months, and this automatically hinders such individuals’ mobility.
- Re-registration of Vehicles: Vehicles impounded have automatically lost their registration and upon the return of such vehicles a new registration must be done, which is not only time-consuming but also requires new payments.
- Mark on permanent records: A fine issued to an individual or a jail time done due to this offense leads to a permanent mark on one’s criminal record. This leads to fewer employment opportunities, as this mark on the record segregates an individual from the rest.
Reasons why people drive without a license?
Sometimes in some cases, driving without a license can be unintentionally done. Here are some reasons why people drive without a license and ways to avoid such reasons:
- Emergencies: These situations are unplanned and could happen at any time, for example, if a child slumps at home and her parents have to rush her to the hospital. Due to the nature of events, they might rush out without picking up their license. This can be avoided if their license remains in the car to avoid driving without a license
- Expired License: An expired license is one whose renewal requirements have not been done by an individual within 45 days to 2 years, this could be due to different reasons. Individuals are meant to monitor their license to note the date it would expire and try to renew it before then.
- Never applied for a license: This commonly occurs when one moves to a new state or country and has not been able to undergo the necessary procedures to obtain a driver’s license, or when one is not familiar with the processes involved in getting one. In this kind of scenario, one needs to visit the agency involved in their states to start their process of application.
Driving without a license is an illegal offense, punishable by the law. It has contributed to 20 percent of automobile accidents occurring around the world today, leading to the death of many, all of which could be prevented if appropriate measures are in use.
Frequently asked questions:
1. If I move across states, do I have to redo a driver’s license?
Yes, you should.
2. Is driving without a license a criminal offense?
Yes, it is
3.Can I register for my driver’s license online ?
Yes , you can but you would need to take a physical driver’s test
