Driving Without a Valid Driver's License

In every state, traffic laws make it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle when:

• The vehicle operator has never been issued a driver's license from the state department of motor vehicles,
• The vehicle operator currently has his or her driver's license temporarily suspended, or
• The vehicle operator has had his or her driver's license permanently revoked.

Traffic laws in most states differentiate between operating a vehicle without a valid driver's / operator's license, and operating a vehicle without proof of licensing (i.e. when a properly licensed driver fails to carry his or her driver's license).

Driving Without Valid Vehicle Registration

In every state, traffic laws make it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle when:

• The vehicle has never been registered with the state department of motor vehicles (or motor vehicles bureau) in the state where it is primarily used.
• The vehicle's once-valid registration has expired (i.e. required fees and filings were not submitted to the state motor vehicle department within the registration period).

In many states, penalties for driving a vehicle whose registration has expired will increase the longer the registration has lapsed. For example, if the vehicle's registration expired less than 6 months ago, the infraction might be considered a non-moving violation. But if the vehicle's registration expired more than 6 months ago, the offense may be considered a moving violation, which shows up as "points" on a driving record, and may lead to increased automobile insurance rates.

Traffic laws in most states differentiate between operating a vehicle that is not registered, and operating a vehicle without proof that the vehicle is registered (i.e. when a driver of a properly registered vehicle fails to carry a required registration certificate, or fails to display current registration stickers).

In most states, certain types of vehicles need not be registered -- including "off-highway" vehicles, stored vehicles, or vehicles for which a "non-operating" has been filed with the state department of motor vehicles.

Driving Without Valid / Sufficient Insurance

In every state, drivers are required to demonstrate the ability to pay up to a certain amount to cover their liability if they are involved in a motor vehicle accident. These laws are sometimes called "financial responsibility" laws, because while not all states specifically require that drivers carry liability insurance from an insurance company, all states do require some form of proof of financial responsibility.

In states that do not specifically require motor vehicle drivers to show proof of liability insurance in order to comply with "financial responsibility" laws, other acceptable forms of proving responsibility include:

• Self-insurance certification
• Certificates of deposit
• Surety bonds.

Laws in most states differentiate between driving a vehicle that is not insured (or without adequate financial responsibility), and driving a vehicle without proof that the vehicle is insured (i.e. when a driver of a properly insured vehicle fails to carry proof of a valid insurance policy).

Across all states and D.C., penalties for a first-time offense for driving without insurance range from the imposition of a $100 fine, to a one-year driver's license suspension.