subject: Driving on a Suspended License in Virginia [print this page] Driving on a Suspended License in Virginia
Driving on a suspended license in Virginia is one of the most serious traffic offenses a person can face in the state, with the exception of offenses such as DUI or vehicular manslaughter. The reasons for a person's driver's license being suspended in the first place could include: suspended on a DUI charge, reckless driving, falsifying insurance documents, and the list goes on.
If a person is stopped by an officer in Virginia and found to be driving while their license is currently suspended they will facing a possible 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Not to mention that they will once again be facing the same suspension period as they were before being stopped. For example if their license had been suspended for 1-year because of a first offense DUI refusal to submit to a chemical test charge and they were 8 months into their 1-year suspension period, that 1-year suspension period will begin all over again.
Driving on a suspended license in Virginia, as is the case in any state is definitely a gamble as to whether or not you will get caught. Another scenario that needs to be looked at by the potential offender is the fact that if their license has been suspended by the Virginia DMV, they no longer have a valid insurance policy on their vehicle. When your license was suspended your insurance provider will have more than likely cancelled your auto insurance policy.
The downside to this scenario is that if you are driving without insurance and get into an accident you will not only be facing an additional fine in the amount of $550 from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for operating a motor vehicle without insurance, but you will also be facing the consequence of having to pay for the damage to the other vehicles involved in the accident, medical expenses for any injuries caused during the accident to the occupants of the other vehicles and any property damage caused by the accident.
The potential consequences of driving without insurance in Virginia far outweigh the benefits of being able to drive during one's driver's license suspension period. It is recommended that while your license is suspended that you find an alternative means of transportation, whether it be public transportation like taking a bus or even a taxi when necessary, or perhaps asking a friend or family member to drive you where you need to go. If your destination is not too far you should even consider walking or riding a bike versus driving a motor vehicle while your license is suspended in Virginia.
