Don’t panic. There is a way to get through this…
We all value our jobs. It is important for us to continue working and making money. We need to support ourselves and also our families.
A time may come when you find yourself in the situation where your employer unexpectedly asks you to take one of the company vehicles and drive somewhere. They may not know that you don’t have a valid driver’s license. You may feel obligated to keep your employer happy. So, you get behind the wheel and drive.
Then the unexpected happens. You get pulled over by law enforcement. Maybe you rolled through a stop sign. Maybe you were speeding. The officer is going to ask you for your license. You may hand him your government ID and hope he doesn’t notice. He notices. You’re going to get a Maryland traffic ticket for driving without a license.
What’s the penalty for driving without a license in Maryland?
Up to a $500.00 fine | 5 points | up to 60 days in jail.
Okay – Now how do I get through this?
You’re going to need a lawyer. If you are working, then you may not qualify for the public defender. Assuming you don’t qualify for the public defender, then you may want to hire a private attorney. An attorney can advise you on the next steps to take.
What are the next steps to take?
Your lawyer is probably going to tell you to get a valid license. You’re going to have to go through the process of taking a test at the MVA. It’s a written examination. If you pass the test, you will be given a learner’s permit. This permit will allow you to practice driving under certain restrictions with a licensed adult before you are eligible to take the road test for a provisional license.
Will getting a learner’s permit be enough to take care of the ticket?
This is where having a skilled lawyer can help you. The prosecutor is going to want to see that you are acting responsibly. An experienced attorney can negotiate with the State and possibly get you a favorable outcome if they can show that you are taking prudent reasonable steps to resolve your license issues. Getting a learner’s permit is one of those steps. Your lawyer will know the optimal way to inform the prosecutor of your particular situation involving your employer and why you were driving without a license.
Prosecutors are interested in keeping the public safe from unlicensed drivers. They are going to want an assurance that you will not be doing this again. An experienced lawyer will know how to approach this sensitive issue.
Is there a chance I could get jail time?
There are several different outcomes that may happen.
- Dismissal of charges.
- A stet (charges placed on the inactive docket).
- A plea of guilty to one or more of the charges.
If you plead guilty, the judge will sentence you. These are some of the possible outcomes.
- A fine.
- Points.
- Probation.
- Community Service.
- Jail time.
Your sentence will be determined by the particular facts surrounding your case. An unexpected request by your employer to drive a company vehicle, although not an excuse, may be something the judge may consider as a mitigating factor – especially if this is your first and only violation.