In North Carolina, lots of different circumstances can lead to license suspension or revocation. And, if you get caught driving during the period that your license is revoked or suspended, you'll likely face criminal charges.
Your license may be suspended or revoked for alcohol-related offenses, certain convictions, and lots of other reasons. For example, your license can be suspended if you:
Your license can be revoked for certain alcohol-related offenses, including if you:
You'll also face license revocation if you're convicted of:
However, this is just a partial list—suspension or revocation can result for many other reasons.
After your period of suspension or revocation expires, you may have to pay a restoration fee and meet certain requirements before you can legally drive again. In many cases, the restoration fee is $65. But for suspensions related to impaired driving, the restoration fee is typically $130.
If you get caught driving while your license is revoked, you can be charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense. Most offenses are class 1 misdemeanors. But if you're suspension or revocation was for impaired driving, the offense will be a class 3 misdemeanor.
Fines for convictions are up to $200 for a class 3 misdemeanor and at the discretion of the judge for a class 1 misdemeanor. The possible jail time for a class 3 misdemeanor is generally one to ten days. Class 1 misdemeanors generally carry one to 45 days in jail.
In many cases, the convicted motorist will also face an additional period of suspension or revocation.
Driving on a revoked or suspended license carries serious penalties. If you've been arrested for one of these offenses, get in contact with a qualified defense attorney. An experienced attorney can tell you how the law applies in your situation and help you decide on the best course of action.