Could I Go to Jail for Driving on a Suspended License?

 Posted on April 15, 2025 in Criminal Defense

If your driver’s license has been suspended as a result of a DUI or because you have accrued too many points on your driving record, you may think it is not a big deal to drive your car to necessary places like your job and to run errands. After all, you are always careful, so what could go wrong? Unfortunately, there are plenty of things that can go wrong.

You could inadvertently escalate your situation from an already difficult one to one that ends with you sitting in jail. Driving without a license in Connecticut is a serious offense, and many traffic violations are much more serious than you might think. If you are facing charges of driving without a license, contact an experienced Stamford, CT traffic violation attorney as quickly as possible to minimize the short and long-term consequences.

What Can Cause the Loss of a Driver’s License?

While a DUI or having too many points on one’s driver’s license may be the most common reasons a driver could have his or her license suspended or revoked, there are other reasons as well. A person who moves to the state of Connecticut from another state has only 30 days to obtain a Connecticut driver’s license; failure to do so could result in a violation for failure to have a valid driver’s license.   There are many more driving and even non-driving violations that can result in the suspension of a Connecticut driver’s license, including:

• Failure to provide proof of insurance
• Fleeing or evading a police roadblock
• Failure to pay child support
• Failure to appear for a court appearance
•  Failure to pay required fines, fees, and other charges for motor vehicle-related infractions
• An assault with a motor vehicle or manslaughter with a motor vehicle conviction
• A hit-and-run offense
• Tampering with an ignition interlock device
• Making a false statement on a motor vehicle-related matter
• Possession of a counterfeit or altered driver’s license

In addition to all these reasons, a person’s driver’s license may be suspended for any cause deemed sufficient by the DMV commissioner, with or without a hearing. (CGS Section 14-111(a))

What Are the Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License?

Those who are found to be driving on a suspended driver’s license could face up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $200, and an extension of the original license suspension for a minimum of one year. If this is a second or subsequent offense of driving on a suspended license within three years of an arrest that led to a prior conviction, the penalties extend to up to one year in prison, a fine of $200-600, and an extension of the original suspension for a minimum of one year.

If the original reason for the driver’s license suspension was for a conviction for DUI or a conviction for assault with a motor vehicle or manslaughter with a motor vehicle, the individual would face up to one year in jail, with a 30-day mandatory minimum, a fine of up to $1,000, and an extension of the original license suspension. Spending any length of time in jail usually causes the individual to lose his or her job and to have difficulty obtaining employment in the future. The auto insurance of a person who is convicted of driving without a license can be expected to significantly increase for many years to come.

Contact a Fairfield County, CT Traffic Violations Lawyer

If you are facing charges for driving on a suspended license, it is important that you speak to a knowledgeable Stamford, CT traffic violations attorney who can look at the issue from every angle and determine your best course of action. Contact Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner by calling 203-348-5846 to schedule your free consultation.