Source: http://vincenzeslaw.com/fairfax-traffic-lawyer-fairfax-county-reckless-driving/driving-without-a-license-in-virginia/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 16:43:40+00:00

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We discuss this offense on this page. While this is a criminal charge, in Fairfax County it tends to be a relatively common violation. Our Fairfax criminal lawyer recently conducted an analysis of 815 charges in Fairfax County. 98 of the total reported criminal charges (12%) were for a violation of 46.2-300, driving without a license in Virginia. This should not be confused with the much more serious charge of driving after license forfeiture (due to DWI: 18.2-277), or another serious charge, driving with a suspended or revoked license (46.2-301).
It is important for all drivers to realize that in Virginia, conviction of one of several driving and non-driving related offenses may lead to a revoked or suspended license.
Similarly, there are some criminal offenses which, if convicted of, always lead to a suspended or revoked license. Learn about these various offenses here.
This law tells us that no person can drive a motor vehicle on any “highway” until that individual has attained a lawful license. There are some exemptions, but in general, they are rare (e.g., in some cases, an International License in Virginia may be valid for a period of time).
Up to a $1,000 fine.
Up to a $2,500 fine.
We encourage any person charged with a violation of this statute in Northern Virginia to speak with a Fairfax criminal defense attorney and request a free case evaluation or consultation.
registration, plates, and fees must be paid.
A [Virginia] resident over the age of sixteen years and three months who has been duly licensed as a driver under a law of another state or country requiring the licensing of drivers shall . . . [be allowed to drive] a motor vehicle . . . for the first sixty days of [his or her] residency in [Virginia] . . . without a Virginia license.
” . . . that has been duly registered for the current calendar year in another state or country and . . . displays the license plate(s) . . . may operate or permit operation . . . within or partly within [Virginia] for the first 30 days of [his or her] residency” . . . before he or she needs to register or pay any fees to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Residents who own a vehicle validly registered “for the current calendar year in another state or country” and who display the license plate(s) correctly as issued in the country of origin, may “operate or permit the operation” of the vehicle for 30 days of the individual’s residency in the Commonwealth of Virginia before it must be registered, and before any fees must be paid.
The large numbers of arrests for violation of the law prohibiting driving without a valid license in Virginiai could be due in-part to the diverse ethnic nature of the Washington D.C. Metro area. Our Fairfax traffic lawyer and Fairfax criminal defense attorney has come across numerous drivers who believed their international license to be valid, when in fact, they was not.
§ 46.2-300. Driving without license prohibited; penalties.
§ 46.2-325. Examination of applicants; waiver of Department’s examination under certain circumstances; behind-the-wheel and knowledge examinations.
§ 46.2-303. Licenses not required for operating road roller or farm tractor.
§ 46.2-304. Limited operation of farm tractor by persons convicted of driving under influence of intoxicants or drugs.
§ 46.2-305. Exemption of persons in armed services.
§ 46.2-306. Exemption of armed services personnel and spouses and dependent children of armed services personnel.
§ 46.2-307. Nonresidents licensed under laws of home state or country; extension of reciprocal privileges.
§ 46.2-308. Temporary exemption for new resident licensed under laws of another state; privately owned vehicle driver’s licenses.
§ 46.2-662. Temporary exemption for new resident operating vehicle registered in another state or country.
[v] § 46.2-308. Temporary exemption for new resident licensed under laws of another state; privately owned vehicle driver’s licenses.
[vi] § 46.2-652. Temporary registration or permit for oversize vehicles; fees.

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