Driving without license on me

[Giant springs]

I confess: Frequently I drive short distances, and sometimes longer distances, without my purse or driver's license along. But I think the law says I'm supposed to have the license with me. How much trouble will I get in if I get stopped or am involved in an accident, and I don't have it?

[TEXASCOP]

In Texas, you can be charged with "Fail to Display Drivers License". Its a class C Misdemeanor (the lowest of violations) similar to any other traffic ticket although it is arrestable. There are only 2 violations you cannot be arrested for in Texas (speeding and open container) you can be arrested for those 2 violations if you refuse to sign the ticket. Probably best to have your DL with you when you drive. From my experience people that don't carry ID/DL with them have something to hide and generally raise my suspicions a little bit.

[scott715us]

Technically it's an arrestable offense in TN if you don't have it on you because of the problem of identifying you. With that said, I normally have the driver provide other means of identification, run their DL by name/DOB and have dispatch read off the physical description for a match. That may not happen with all officers. I'm not sure what state you're in, but I wouldn't chance it in mine.

[retdetsgt]

Here it depends on who stops you. If you're stopped by someone assigned to traffic or in some small towns, you will get a ticket for failure to display a license.

Where I worked, if you got stopped by someone assigned to a precinct, it would depend on why you got stopped in the first place. If it was for something minor, they would probably just delay you longer and chew you out a little for not having it. If you were stopped and ticketed for a major violation, that would be added to it.

Smart thing is to change your habits and obey the law. It ain't that hard, is it?

[ChesCopPodz]

Worst you get here is $22 fine.

Although if for some reason I didn't believe you were who you said you were, I could detain you as long as it took to find out.

[icu650]

You apparently just don't give a crap or you would make sure you have identification with you including your license. To frequently drive without your license in your possession and then go on to a forum and ask what will happen if you get stopped is ludicrous. Grow up and carry your license like every other person has to.

[marinepilot]

In Florida it's a non-moving ticket, costs $113. I usually don't write it unless the person is a complete and utter tool, then it's a given. I usually just let them know that it's another ticket I'm letting them off on, and that helps them to think that I'm cutting them a break.

Now, what I've found overall is, those people who don't carry their license on them most often is because they don't HAVE a license, just an ID card. Better to just slip it in your pocket and have it with you all the time.

[Giant springs]

Thanks everybody. I feel motivated now to take it along.