Driving On Expired License In California

**whosthr** · 02-21-2008, 06:50 PM

California-What is the penalty and am I covered if my insurance is current?

I have 2 out of state issues holding up my renewal and it's going to take 3 months to straighten out, I figure it's a calculated risk and if I am still insured what am I facing anyway, a fine?

**Happy Trails** · 02-21-2008, 07:52 PM

It is illegal to drive without a valid driver's license (I know you know that).

Whether or not your insurance company would cover you if you were in an accident would depend on the insurance company's guidlines and its policy.

You could check with your insurance agent.

Penalty for California vehicle code 12500.

**whosthr** · 02-21-2008, 08:04 PM

Thanks for the reply, I know that, it's just more practical and I'll check the code for fines/punishments. The B.S. I have to go through for three months is based on the past (20 years ago) and has jammed me up more now than it should so I have to "mediate" the sentence myself. My insurance just renewed me with a safe driver discount, that's how screwed up this system is with the DMV and the NDR "system". I've lost my job because of this and it is just so not right.

**Happy Trails** · 02-21-2008, 08:15 PM

You really need to find a way to get around without taking a chance. You'll only make matters worse if you do get caught.

Be sure to check with your agent, as your insurance may not be in force when your license is expired. The policy may have an exclusion that would disallow coverage under these circumstances.

**whosthr** · 02-21-2008, 08:37 PM

Appreciate your thoughts. However, I like my chances and I found an insurance company now that insures in this case and allows time for the DMV problem to be corrected. I have NDR issues and none in CA., so for the chances of being stopped and a fine I'll take the risk, I have COPD among other medical issues so I can't be walking to the bus, sorry. I'm not going to have an asthma attack for this silliness.

**cdwjava** · 02-21-2008, 09:41 PM

You found a company that actually and knowingly insures unlicensed drivers? Wow! They don't happen to have an address in a phone booth, do they?

I suppose there is always someone out there willing to take those gambles, but I was not aware of any that did.

You might want to check the limits of that policy ... they are really taking a chance and I can't imagine that they would be crossing their fingers in such a way. Or, they do not KNOW that the primary driver is unlicensed.

Also note that your car may be impounded if you are stopped.
Hopefully, your license is an expired California license ... if you have never had a CA license, then your car would be towed for 30 days.

The offense is a misdemeanor and up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine can result. Jail frequently is not the end result, but it is possible.

- Carl

**whosthr** · 02-21-2008, 11:30 PM

Actually found out quite a bit since last post.

CA., DMV will issue a restricted license if you show paperwork for enrollment in a DUI school for an out of state conviction, have it.

More than one insurance company I found will insure you if you are "expired" not suspended here which I'm not., have no DUI's anywhere in the past ten years which I don't., it costs more, but it is legal just a matter of charging a "perceived higher risk".

And if I am cited, I think the judge would consider this is a 20 year old problem that didn't occur here, I am clean in CA., for my entire license experience here 13 years plus, have insurance, current tags and enrolled in school and haven't had a drink since getting here anyway., like I said I am willing to take care of this old DUI, fines, school etc., however, not being able to drive in 2008 for a 1985 conviction somewhere else seemed ridiculous, impractical to me and I am glad I checked this out.