Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated November 03, 2020
In order to enjoy the privilege of driving on public roadways, motorists must be licensed. A driver's license ensures that motorists know how to operate a vehicle and understand the rules of the road. If you drive without a license, you risk being ticketed or even arrested, depending on the situation. Find out more about the laws in your state with the following guide to possible penalties for driving without a valid driver's license.
| State | Statute |
|---|---|
| Alabama | License required (AL Code section 32-6-1) Penalties--Violations in general (AL Code section 32-6-18) |
| Alaska | Drivers must be licensed (AK Statutes section 28.15.011) |
| Arizona | License Violations (ARS Title 28; scroll to sections 28-3471 to 28-3483) |
| Arkansas | Driver's license required (AR Code section 27-16-602) |
| California | Violation of License Provisions (California Vehicle Code sections 14600 to 14611) |
| Colorado | Licenses for drivers required (CRS section 42-2-101) |
| Connecticut | Motor vehicle operator's license (GSC section 14-36) |
| Delaware | Driving without a license (DE Code Title 21, section 2701) |
| District of Columbia | Operation without permit prohibited (DC Code section 50-1401.01) |
| Florida | Drivers must be licensed; penalties (FS section 322.03) |
| Georgia | Valid driver's license required (Georgia Code section 40-5-20) |
| Hawaii | Licensing (HRS section 286-102) |
| Idaho | Drivers to be licensed (ID Statutes section 49-301) |
| Illinois | Violation of License Provisions (625 ILCS 5/6-301 to 5/6-308) |
| Indiana | Driver's Licenses: General Penalty Provisions (Indiana Code Title 9, Article 24, Ch. 18) Driver's Licenses: Penalty Provisions for Operating a Motor Vehicle With Suspended or Revoked Driving Privileges, Licenses, or Permits (Indiana Code Title 9, Article 24, Ch. 19) |
| Iowa | Operators licensed (IA Code section 321.174) |
| Kansas | Licenses required (KS Statutes section 8-235) |
| Kentucky | Operators' licenses (KRS Chapter 186; scroll to section 186.410) Unlawful to drive or permit another to drive without (KRS Chapter 186; scroll to section 186.620) |
| Louisiana | Driver must be licensed (LRS section 32:52) |
| Maine | License required (MRS Title 29-A, section 1251) |
| Maryland | Drivers must be licensed (MD Transportation Code section 16-101) |
| Massachusetts | Operation of motor vehicle without license (90 MGL section 10) |
| Michigan | Violation of license provisions (MI Vehicle Code sections 257.324 to 257.329) |
| Minnesota | License required (MN Statutes section 171.02) |
| Mississippi | Requirement of motor vehicle operator's license (MS Code section 63-1-5) |
| Missouri | Operation of motor vehicle without proper license prohibited (MRS section 302.020) |
| Montana | Drivers to be licensed--penalty (MCA section 61-5-102) |
| Nebraska | Operator's license required (R.R.S. Nebr. section 60-484) |
| Nevada | Licensing of drivers required (NRS section 483.230) |
| New Hampshire | License required; penalty (NH Statutes section 263:1) |
| New Jersey | Licensing of drivers (NJ Statutes section 39:3-10) |
| New Mexico | Drivers must be licensed (NMS section 66-5-2) |
| New York | Licensing of drivers; violations (NY Vehicle & Traffic Code section 509) |
| North Carolina | Issuance and renewal of drivers licenses (NCGS section 20-7) |
| North Dakota | Operators must be licensed [PDF] (ND Code Chapter 39-06; scroll to section 39-06-01) |
| Ohio | Operation without valid license prohibited (ORC section 4507.02) |
| Oklahoma | Class requirements for driver licenses (OK Statutes section 47-6-101) |
| Oregon | Driving Privileges and Identification Cards (OR Vehicle Code Chapter 807) |
| Pennsylvania | Licensing of Drivers: Violations (PA Vehicle Code Chapter 15; scroll to Subchapter C) |
| Rhode Island | License required to drive (RI Code section 31-10-1) License to be carried and exhibited on demand (RI Code section 31-10-27) |
| South Carolina | Driver's license required (SC Code Title 56, Ch. 1; scroll to section 56-1-20) |
| South Dakota | Prohibition against driving without license (SD Laws section 32-12-22) Driving while license is revoked, suspended, or canceled (SD Laws section 32-12-65) |
| Tennessee | License required (TN Code section 55-50-301) |
| Texas | Driver's Licenses and Certificates (TX Transportation Code Chapter 521) |
| Utah | Operating motor vehicle without license or registration (UT Code section 41-12a-603) |
| Vermont | License required (23 VSA section 601) |
| Virginia | Driving without license prohibited; penalties (VA Code section 46.2-300) |
| Washington | Driving without a license--misdemeanor (RCW section 46.20.005) Driving without a license--traffic infraction (RCW section 46.20.015) |
| West Virginia | Drivers must be licensed (WV Code section 17B-2-1) |
| Wisconsin | Operators to be licensed; exceptions (WI Code section 343.05) |
| Wyoming | License required; limited to one license (WY Statutes section 31-7-106) |
Depending on the circumstances, you may be facing serious sanctions for driving without a valid driver's license. Meeting with an attorney can help you determine your next steps. Find a traffic law attorney licensed to practice in your state.
Contact a qualified traffic ticket attorney to help you get the best result possible.
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many traffic ticket attorneys offer free consultations.