Your Kentucky driver's license can be revoked or suspended for a variety of reasons. If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you risk criminal charges and the possibility of having to pay fines and serve jail time.
This article explains the various reasons for license suspension or revocation and the penalties you'll face if you continue to drive on a suspended or revoked license in Kentucky.
When your license is suspended or revoked, it generally means that the state has taken away your driving privileges. In other words, while the suspension or revocation is in place, you can't lawfully drive.
In many states, "revocation" and "suspension" are used synonymously and mean the same thing. However, some states use the term "suspension" to mean a temporary loss of privileges and "revocation" to mean the permanent loss of privileges. But even in states where revocation is permanent, the driver can typically apply for reinstatement after a certain period of time.
In Kentucky, a suspension and revocation are the same in most respects. Each type of revocation or suspension has reinstatement requirements. But the labels "suspension" and "revocation" don't make much of a difference.
Below are some of the most common reasons a driver might face a license suspension or revocation in Kentucky.
A driver might be looking at a period of license suspension for any of the following reasons:
However, this is just a partial license of the reasons for suspension. Lots of other violations can lead to a suspended license. For example, failing to pay child support can result in license suspension.
License revocation is normally the result of some type of criminal conviction. Here are some of the most common reasons a driver's license might be revoked:
Again, this is just a partial list of violations that can lead to revocation.
If you're caught driving while your privileges are suspended or revoked, you'll generally face criminal charges.
In many situations, driving on a suspended or revoked license is a class B misdemeanor. A class B misdemeanor carries a maximum fine of $250 and up to 90 days in jail.
If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked for driving under the influence, you can be charged with a class B or class A misdemeanor or class D felony and will face the following penalties:
These penalties are even more severe if the driver was under the influence when the present offense occurred.
After your period of suspension or revocation has ended, you generally must pay a fee to reinstate your driving privileges. In most cases, the reinstatement fee is $40.
However, depending on the situation, you might have to meet other conditions (like getting caught up with child support payments) or retake driving examinations before you'll be able to drive again.
Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a crime with potentially serious consequences. These consequences can affect your employment and many other aspects of your life. So, if you've been arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license, it's a good idea to get in contact with a knowledgeable attorney who can help.