A valid driver’s license is required if you want to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Hawaii. There is no way around this, so you need to keep this point in mind at all times.
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the following circumstances:
- You have never received a driver’s license from the department of motor vehicles
- Your license has been permanently revoked
- Your license is under suspension
While it may not sound like a big deal up front, especially if you’ve gotten away with it in the past, driving without a valid license can lead to a variety of penalties, none of which you want to face.
Did you forget your license?
Imagine this: You’re driving down the road, just to see police lights in your rearview mirror.
Once you stop your vehicle you reach for your wallet or purse, just to realize that you left it at home. Unfortunately, this means that you also don’t have your license with you.
Depending on the circumstances, the officer may give you a ticket or a warning. In the event that you do receive a ticket, you can prove at a later date that you have a valid license as a means of avoiding a fine.
Penalties for driving without a valid license
In the event that you don’t have a valid driver’s license you could find yourself facing a variety of penalties. For example, a first time offender may receive a small fine. A multiple offender, however, could receive a much more hefty fine.
Also, it’s possible that multiple offenders could be kept from obtaining a driver’s license in the future, such as for a period of one year.
Insurance companies don’t take kindly to driving on a suspended license, so this could also have an impact on your premium.
If you receive a citation for driving without a license you’ll want to learn more about your legal rights, including how to proceed with fighting back in the immediate future.