Driving with a suspended license can have serious consequences

For most people, driving is a daily activity. Losing your driving privileges, even temporarily, can take a significant toll on your work, finances and relationships.

If you have lost your driving privileges, you might be weighing the pros and cons of continuing to drive anyway. Being unable to drive can have consequences, but they usually pale in comparison to the consequences of driving illegally. Illinois law provides harsh penalties for driving with a suspended license.

Additional penalties

If you are driving with a suspended license, you have likely already paid a hefty price for the offense that led to the suspension. Driving with a suspended license comes with additional costs. A first offense can result in a fine of up to $2,500 and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 days in jail. Subsequent offenses may cost you as much as $25,000.

Longer suspension

Losing your driving privileges is a nuisance, but the long-term impact on your life may be even greater if you drive without a license. You may face an extended suspension or additional restrictions on your driving privileges.

Felony charges

Depending on the circumstances of the original offense and the circumstances that led to your arrest for driving with a suspended license, you might face a class 4 felony charge. This comes with hefty fines and potential prison time, and it may be extremely difficult to get your license back.

Driving with a suspended license is a high-stakes gamble. Before getting behind the wheel, you must consider the potential consequences of driving without a valid license.