In North Dakota, your license may be suspended or revoked for certain criminal convictions, failures to appear in court, and other reasons. If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you may be charged with a crime.
Your license may be suspended or revoked for many reasons. You may be subject to mandatory revocation if you are convicted of:
It may be suspended if you:
Your license may also be suspended or revoked for other reasons.
Your license may be suspended or revoked for varying periods of time. You should not drive on a suspended or revoked license. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee or complete other conditions before you may legally drive again. If your license was revoked, the state may investigate your driving records, habits and ability before it will issue a new license. (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-06-36.) You may need to pay a reinstatement fee of $50 or $100, depending on the reason for your revocation. (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-06-36.) In some situations, you may not need to pay a reinstatement fee. (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-06-36.)
If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you may be charged with a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances.
You may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor for your first, second or third offense within a five-year period. (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-06-42(1).) The maximum penalty for a Class B misdemeanor is:
You may be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for a fourth or subsequent offense within a five-year period. (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-06-42(1).) The maximum penalty for a Class A misdemeanor is:
If your license was suspended or revoked due certain offenses, including DUI and offenses for which revocation is mandatory, you may receive a minimum penalty of at least four days in jail. (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-06-42(2).)
In addition to criminal penalties for driving on a suspended or revoked license, your license plates may be impounded and your license may be suspended or revoked for a longer period of time. (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-06-42(3), § 39-06-43.)
A conviction for driving after suspension or revocation can have serious consequences for your life. Fines, jail time, and the possibility of a longer period of suspension or revocation can create difficulties with work or school, problems with insurance, and difficulties in other areas of your life. While the law provides specific penalties for this crime, your sentence will be influenced by the view that local courts and prosecutors have of driving after suspension or revocation. Only an attorney who is familiar with these charges in your area can provide you with this information.