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Driving on a Suspended License Lawyers in California

Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a misdemeanor in California, so the charge goes to criminal court and can bring jail time, a fine and two points on your record. Our attorneys defend this charge in Los Angeles County courts, the surrounding counties and across California, and the first step is a free consultation.

What a Suspended License Charge Means

California has several suspended-license offenses, and the section on your citation depends on why the license was suspended:

  • VC 14601 covers a suspension for reckless driving, negligent operation and certain other listed reasons. A first conviction carries 5 days to 6 months in county jail and a fine of $300 to $1,000.
  • VC 14601.1 covers a suspension for any reason not listed in the other sections. A first conviction carries up to 6 months in county jail, a fine of $300 to $1,000, or both.
  • VC 14601.2 covers a suspension that follows a DUI conviction. A first conviction carries 10 days to 6 months in county jail and a fine of $300 to $1,000, and an ignition interlock device is required.

Each of these is a misdemeanor (VC 40000.11), and a conviction adds two points to your DMV record (VC 12810(e)).

The charge requires that the driver knew about the suspension. The law presumes that knowledge when the DMV mailed notice of the suspension to the driver’s last address on record (VC 13106). That makes the notice, and how it was sent, part of the case.

How Our Attorneys Fight a Suspended License Charge

We start by finding out exactly what was in place on the day you were stopped: which suspension, for what reason, from what date, and which section you are charged under. Then we look at the notice: whether the DMV mailed it, to which address, and whether it came back. Those facts decide which penalties apply and what the prosecution has to prove.

We defend the charge in criminal court and appear at every hearing. The suspension itself, and the steps to get your license back, are handled by the DMV under its own rules, which the questions below explain.

Our attorneys have over 45 years of combined experience in fighting traffic tickets. Our Victory List shows 5 cases under VC 14601.1 listed as dismissed, as of October 8, 2026. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.

Questions About Driving on a Suspended License

Is Driving on a Suspended License a Misdemeanor in California?

Yes. VC 14601, 14601.1, 14601.2 and 14601.5 are all misdemeanors, not infractions (VC 40000.11). A first conviction can mean county jail, a fine of $300 to $1,000, and two points on your record. The exact penalty depends on the section charged (see above).

Why Can California Suspend My License?

The DMV and the courts can each suspend a license. Common reasons include:

  • Failing to appear in court before 2023. Courts no longer report a missed date for suspension (AB 2746, 2022), and the remaining suspensions under VC 13365 end on January 1, 2027 (see our failure to appear page).
  • Points. 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24 months or 8 in 36 months (same source).
  • A DUI arrest. The DMV suspends under its Administrative Per Se law, and refusing a chemical test brings a one-year suspension or revocation (DMV Driver Handbook).
  • A collision without insurance. A suspension of up to four years, whoever was at fault (DMV Driver Handbook).
  • Hit and run, or reckless driving that caused injury. The DMV revokes the license after a conviction (DMV Driver Handbook).

Our post on reasons California can suspend your license covers more of them.

Can I Get a Restricted License While My Case Is Open?

That depends on why the license was suspended, and the DMV decides it. For a suspension over insurance, the DMV says a driver may apply for a restricted license under VC 16072 and 16077, but a suspension for any other cause in effect at the same time prevents it (DMV). After some DUI suspensions, a driver may apply for an ignition interlock or a restricted license to drive to and from work, and a driver with a third DUI offense within 10 years cannot (DMV). Our post on restricted licenses explains more.

How Do I Get My License Reinstated?

Reinstatement is a DMV process. At the end of a suspension or revocation, the DMV requires proof of financial responsibility, such as an SR 22, before it issues a license again (DMV Driver Handbook). The DMV also charges a reissue fee: $55, or $125 after an Administrative Per Se (DUI) suspension, according to its fee page on October 6, 2026 (DMV reissue fees). Our post on options to get your license reinstated covers the process.

Will This Charge Affect My Insurance?

A conviction puts two points on your record (VC 12810(e)). California’s Good Driver discount requires no more than one violation point in the past three years (Insurance Code 1861.025), so this conviction alone is enough to lose it. Reinstatement after many suspensions also requires an SR 22 filing through your insurer (see above).

Where We Fight Suspended License Charges

Our office is in Glendale, and we defend suspended license charges in courts across Los Angeles County. We also take cases in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties, and anywhere else in California. See our Los Angeles traffic ticket lawyer page and our county traffic ticket guides.

Fight Your Suspended License Charge

A suspended license charge is a criminal case, and it deserves a defense. Call (310) 455-6810 or contact us today for your free consultation.

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Sources

California Legislative Information

California DMV

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