Driving without a license charge in Michigan: What you need to know.
Being convicted of a Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) charge can lead to additional sanctions on your Michigan drivers license and can even result in jail time. Michigan law states the following:
MCL 257.904
- (1) A person whose operator’s or chauffeur’s license or registration certificate has been suspended or revoked, whose application for license has been denied, or who has never applied for a license, shall not operate a motor vehicle upon a
highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of motor vehicles, within this state. - (2) A person shall not knowingly permit a motor vehicle owned by the person to be operated upon a highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of vehicles, within this state by a person whose license or registration certificate is suspended or revoked, whose application for license has been denied, or who has never applied for a license, except as permitted under this act.
- (3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who violates subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as follows:
- (a) For a first violation, by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both. Unless the vehicle was stolen or used with the permission of a person who did not knowingly permit an unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle, the registration plates of the vehicle shall be canceled by the secretary of state upon notification by a peace officer.
- (b) For a violation that occurs after a prior conviction, by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. Unless the vehicle was stolen, the registration plates of the vehicle shall be canceled by the secretary
of state upon notification by a peace officer.
Why were my driving privileges suspended?
There are several reasons your driving privileges could be suspended, including:
- Operating Under the Influence of Liquor
- Failure to consent to Preliminary Breath Test
- Twelve or more points on your Driver’s License
- Failure to Appear in Court
- Failure to Comply with Court Judgment
Among many others.
Consequences of a DWLS conviction.
People charged with Driving While License Suspended/Revoked/Denied are one of the most likely groups to reoffend. In Michigan, with its lack of public transportation resources, most people have no choice but to drive to work. If you are convicted of
DWLS, your driver’s license will be suspended for an additional year. If you continue to drive and continue to get caught not only are you likely to face jail time but your ability to get a valid driver’s license will be delayed AN ADDITIONAL YEAR for each occurrence. There are many people on the road in Michigan who will NEVER be able to obtain a driver’s license in their lifetimes simply because their license is suspended for the next 10-20 YEARS,
If you wish to obtain a Michigan Concealed Pistol License, a first offense DWLS will prevent you from doing so for a period of three (3) years. A second offense DWLS will prevent you from obtaining a CPL for a period of eight (8) years.
What to do if you have been charged with Driving While License Suspended.
If you are charged with DWLS you should immediately retain competent counsel. Your attorney will review the evidence compiled by the police and determine the admissibility and sufficiency of the evidence being presented. Your attorney can then formulate and
recommend a defense strategy.
As a member of Defense Coverage, you will have the opportunity to retain the services of our highly qualified attorneys for $10.00 to defend a DWLS charge.