Can You Drive on an Expired License?

Last updated : January 2026

Published By : Allstate

Driving with an expired driver’s license is risky. Every state sets its own rules about how often a driver must renew their license and enforces its own penalties on drivers who are caught driving with an expired license. Although the penalties for driving with an expired license typically aren’t as severe as the penalties for driving with a suspended or revoked license, that’s not to say they aren’t serious.

What are the risks of driving on an expired license?

Driving with an expired license can result in fines and points on your driving record, which can also affect your insurance coverage. For example, if you’re caught driving with an expired license, you might lose your auto insurance coverage altogether or have to pay a higher premium if your insurance company finds out you’ve been driving with an expired license.

Consequences of Driving on an Expired License by State

Driving on an expired license is illegal and is generally treated the same as driving without a valid license. While some states may allow a brief grace period to renew your expired driver’s license without immediate or severe consequences, once the grace period has ended, you will face penalties. The following chart outlines these potential consequences of driving without a valid license.

State	Penalties for Driving Without a License
Alabama	$100-$500 fine; additional $50 fine Up to 180 days in jail Immediate vehicle impoundment Additional six-month license suspension
Alaska	10-day suspended jail sentence At least 80 hours of community service Possible vehicle forfeiture At least 90 days additional license suspension
Arizona	Up to 6 months in jail Possible vehicle impoundment
Arkansas	Up to $500 possible fine Betweentwo days and sixmonths in jail
California	$300-$1,000 fine Betweenfive days and six months in jail Subsequent offense: 10 days to one year in jail and $500-$2,000 fine
Colorado	Up to $500 fine Up tosix months in jail Additional license suspension of one year Subsequent offense: no license for three years
Connecticut	$150-$200 fine Up tothree months in jail Subsequent offense: imprisonment of up to one year and/or $200 to $600 fine
Delaware	$500-$1,000 fine Between 30 days andsix months in jail Possible vehicle impoundment up to 90 days Subsequent offense: imprisonment for 60 days to one year; $1,000 to $4,000 fine; possible vehicle impoundment of at least one year
Florida	$500 fine or up to 60 days in jail Second offense: $1,000 fine or up to one year in jail Subsequent offense: $5,000 fine or up to five years in jail, with a minimum of ten days served Immediate vehicle impoundment
Georgia	$500 fine or up to 60 days in jail Second offense: $1,000 fine or up to one year in jail Subsequent offense: $5,000 fine or up to five years in jail, with a minimum of 10 days served Immediate vehicle impoundment
Hawaii	$250-$1,000 fine Three to 30 days in jail Additional one year license suspension
Idaho	Up to $1,000 fine Betweentwo days andsix months in jail License suspension increase of 180 days
Illinois	Up to $2,500 fine Up toone year in jail
Indiana	Up to $10,000 fine Between six months and two and a half years in jail
Iowa	$250-$1,500 fine License suspension increase of up to one year
Kansas	At least $100 fine Up tofive days in jail Subsequent offense: Jail with eligibility for parole after five days; fine of at least $100 and license suspension increase by 90 days
Kentucky	At least 90 days in jail Existing license suspension increased by sixmonths Second offense: 90 days to one year in jail, license suspension increase of one year Third or subsequent offense: one to five years in jail, license suspension revoked for additional two years
Louisiana	Up to $500 fine Up tosix months in jail Subsequent offense: $300-$500 fine; potential civil fine of no more than $1,150 and seven days to six months in jail, and license suspension increase by one year
Maine	$250 fine Second offense: $500 fine and possible one-year license suspension
Maryland	Up to $1,000 fine Up toone year in jail Possible license suspension increase of up tooneyear Subsequent offense: Up to $1,0000 fine and/or two years in prison, possible license suspension increase of up to two years and possible vehicle impoundment
Massachusetts	$500-$1,000 fine Up to 10 days in jail Subsequent offense: 60 days to one year in prison and license suspension increase by 60 days
Michigan	Up to $500 fine Up to 93 days in jail Subsequent offense: Up to $1,000 fine and/or one year in prison,cancellation of vehicle’s registration plates, and increased license suspension period
Minnesota	Up to $1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail
Mississippi	$200-$500 fine Betweentwo days and sixmonths in jail Existing license suspension increased bysix months
Missouri	Up toone year in jail Subsequent offense: Up to four years in jail
Montana	Up to $500 fine Subsequent offense: Up to $500 fine and two days to six months in jail, and license suspension increase of one year
Nebraska	License revocation forone year Unable to operate any motor vehicle for one year Subsequent offense: Two-year license revocation and cannot operate a motor vehicle
Nevada	Up to $1,000 fine Up tosix months in jail Existing license suspension, revocation, or restriction extended up to one year
New Hampshire	Up to $1,000 fine At leastoneweek in jail Up to six months license suspension increase
New Jersey	$500 fine Second offense: $750 fine and one to five days in jail Subsequent offense): $1,000 fine and 10 days in jail Up to six months license suspension increase
New Mexico	Up to $1,000 fine Four to 364 days in jail Possible vehicle immobilization
New York	$200-$500 fine Up to 30 days in jail Subsequent offense: No less than a $500 fine and no more than 180 days in jail
North Carolina	Up to $200 fine One to ten days in jail License suspension increase ofone year Second offense: License suspension increase of two years Third offense: Permanent license suspension
North Dakota	$1,500 fine Up to 30 days in jail Fourth or subsequent offense: $3,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail Possible license plate destruction
Ohio	Fine of up to $1,000 500 hours of community service Subsequent offense: $1,000 fine, up to 180 days in jail, and possible license plate impoundment
Oklahoma	Up to $500 fine Up to 30 days in jail Second offense: Up to $750 fine Subsequent offense: Up to $1,000 fine and/or jail up to one year
Oregon	$220-$2,000 fine Possible vehicle impoundment
Pennsylvania	$200 fine License suspension increase ofone year License revocation increased bytwo years Second violation: $1,000 fine and no less than 90 days in prison Subsequent violation: $2,500 fine and no less than six months in jail
Rhode Island	$250-$500 fine Second offense: $350-$500 fine Subsequent offense: $500-$1,000 fine and or up to 90 days in jail, and license suspension up to 90 days
South Carolina	$300 fine Up to 30 days in jail Second offense: $600 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail Subsequent offense: $1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail
South Dakota	Up to $500 fine for suspended or canceled and up to $2,000 for revoked Up to 30 days in jail for suspended or canceled license and up to one year for revoked
Tennessee	Up tosix months in jail Up to $500 fine Possible license suspension increase Subsequent offense: Up to $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail for residents
Texas	Up to $500 fine Subsequent offense: Up to180 days in jail and/or up to $2,000 fine
Utah	Up tosix months in jail $1,000 fine
Vermont	Up to two years in jail Fine of up to $5,000 Subsequent offense: Up to two years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine, and possible seizure of license plate
Virginia	Up toone year in jail Fine of up to $2,500 Possible vehicle impoundment for up to 90 days
Washington	Up to 364 days in jail Fine of up to $5,000
West Virginia	$100-$500 fine Subsequent offense: Up to $500 fine and 30-90 days in jail
Wisconsin	$50-$200 fine for suspended license Up to $2,500 fine for revoked license Possible vehicle impoundment
Wyoming	Up to $750 fine Up to six months in jail

Source: The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)

How often do I need to renew my license?

For most adult drivers, depending on the state, a standard driver's license is typically valid between four and eight years and expires on the driver's birthday. Some states also have age-specific renewal requirements for younger and senior drivers to maintain their driving privileges.

For instance, some states require older adults, typically age 65 and above, to renew their license more frequently. This could be every two to four years and sometimes annually for those in higher age brackets, while other states' renewal requirements are the same for drivers of all ages.

Beginner teenage drivers must follow a three-stage graduated driver licensing (GDL) program. In some states, a license will expire on the driver's 21st birthday, after which they should follow the standard renewal process.

When it’s time to renew your license, you should receive a renewal notice a few months before your license expires. You will be provided your options to renew online, by mail, or in person. Be sure to allow plenty of time to renew your license before it expires.

If you move to a new state, you will generally need to obtain a driver's license in that state after establishing residency. Each state has different laws regarding the timeline for this, which can range from a short 10-day period to 30 or 60 days.

Does coverage still apply with an expired license?

When it comes to auto insurance coverage and having an expired license, insurance companies’ policies and state regulations can vary. Often, many standard and preferred insurers require policyholders to possess a valid driver's license to obtain a policy. An insurance policy may still cover other household members, unless someone is specifically excluded, even if they do not have a valid license.

If your license expires during your policy term and you get into an accident, here’s what you should know: claims are not always denied solely because a driver has an expired license at the time of the incident. Many insurers will still cover liability and injury claims for the named insured and household members, even if they lack a valid driver’s license. However, some insurers may deny a collision claim if the driver had an expired license when the loss occurred.

Some insurers will offer coverage if your license status is invalid, as long as you aren’t driving during that time. For example, you might want to keep your insurance active while waiting for your license to be renewed to avoid higher premiums later or a lapse in coverage. Additionally, you may wish to have certain coverage to protect your vehicle while it is in storage and not being driven.

It is always advisable to check with your insurance provider to clarify your coverage and understand the implications of having an expired license.

How Can I Avoid My License Expiring?

So, how do you avoid driving with an expired license? Be aware of when your driver’s license is set to expire and take care of renewal early. Most states will send you a reminder, and some give you a short grace period to get it taken care of, even if you’re slightly past the expiration date. Again, the penalties depend on where you’re licensed, but they’re often serious. So, make sure you’re familiar with the renewal process, and take care of it as soon as possible.

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