Losing your driving privileges for any period of time can cause great inconvenience. When faced with the difficulty of getting to work, taking your kids to school, and running errands, you may decide to take the risk and drive anyway. However, it’s crucial to know that driving while your license is suspended or revoked (DWLR) is a serious offense in North Carolina. According to the suspended license attorneys at Wood & Rabil, LLP Attorneys At Law, there can be severe consequences imposed if you’re caught driving without being legally licensed.

Common Reasons for a Suspension or Revocation

There are a number of reasons why your license may have been suspended. This includes driving while impaired, failure to appear in court, being cited for a traffic violation, neglecting to pay court-ordered child support, ignoring court-ordered community service, and accumulating too many points on your driving record. Regardless of why your driving privileges were revoked, you will be charged with a criminal offense if you’re found to be driving with a suspended license.

Potential Penalties

In North Carolina, driving with a suspended license is a Class 1 misdemeanor that typically carries harsh penalties. If convicted, you may be ordered to pay hefty fines and/or sentenced up to 120 days in jail. In addition, you will gain a criminal record, and your license suspension will be extended. For the first offense, you will receive another year suspension, a second violation will earn two more years, and a third violation can result in a permanent loss of your license. If your license was originally suspended due to driving while impaired, your vehicle may be seized as well for continuing to drive illegally.

Reinstating Your License

Once your period of suspension is over, you may be required to pay a restoration fee of $50 along with other court fees to reinstate your driving privileges. If your license was suspended for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the restoration fee may be $100. The best course of action you can take is consulting with a suspended license attorney who can help you fight allegations of DWLR and get your license reinstated with ease.

When threatened with the possibility of losing your driving privileges for even longer, it’s wise not to take any chances by attempting to handle your case alone. A suspended license attorney from Wood & Rabil, LLP Attorneys At Law in Winston-Salem will increase your odds of avoiding the repercussions of a DWLR conviction. They have successfully defended many clients against criminal charges related to traffic violations. Contact them at (336) 722-5700, or visit their website for additional information on the legal services they provide.