Driving on a suspended license is a criminal charge. You can be arrested, put in jail, and you may have to post bail to get out. Your car can be impounded for up to 30 days and even sold. A conviction for driving on a suspended license on a first offense could result in up to six months in jail, up to $1,000 plus fees, and you could be put on probation. For 2 or more offenses you could face up to a year in jail.

Here are the main reasons your California driver's license could be suspended or revoked.

No insurance
California law requires that all vehicles in California be insured. Proof of insurance must be available in your vehicle at all times and presented to a police officer if requested. If you are in an accident and not insured, your driver's license can be suspended for four years. After the first year of suspension, your license and driving privilages can be reinstated if you provide proof of insurance to the DMV and maintain insurance for the remaining three years.

Failure to report an accident
All drivers involved in a car accident must file a Report of Traffic Accident form within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or if damage exceeds $750. Failure to file a report will result in the suspension of your driver's license.

DUI conviction
California has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country, and your license will be suspended for six months upon your first conviction. In some instances you may petition for a restricted license. On a second and third offense, you may lose your license for two to four years.

Underage drinking
California has a zero-tolerance law for those under 21. Zero-tolerance means that if you are driving, no amount of alcohol in your blood is acceptable. You will lose your driver's license for one year or until you turn 18, whichever is later.

Failure or refusal of a drug or alcohol test
California has an implied consent law. This means that if you refuse a blood, breath, or urine test to avoid getting a DUI, your license will be suspended or revoked. Your license can be suspended or revoked even if you are innocent.

Excessive points on a driving record
The California DMV maintains the "Negligent Driver Points" system. This is a record of all your traffic violations. Each violation is valued at a certain number of points and if you get too many points on your record, your license can be suspended or revoked. You could get driving probation for one year, including a license suspension for six months, or your driver's license can be revoked altogether.

Vandalism
If you are convicted of vandalism, your driver's license will be suspended for one year. If you are too young to drive and do not have a drivers license, your right to apply for a driver's license will be delayed by one year.

Failure to appear
If you fail to appear in court or pay a traffic fine on time, the court will report your failure to appear to the California DMV, and your license may be suspended.

The attorneys at Mendoza and Associates may be able to get your driving privileges restored or the suspension modified. Our firm has handled many suspended license cases and produced excellent results for our clients.

Call us today for a free consultation
(800) 231-2515