Driving While Suspended
Veh. & Traf. Law § 511 — driving on a license known to be suspended or revoked is a misdemeanor, $200 to $500 or up to 30 days
Knowing, or having reason to know. Driving on a public highway while knowing, or having reason to know, that the license or privilege to drive is suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn is aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree, a misdemeanor: a fine of $200 to $500, up to thirty days in jail, or both.
It is the second degree, also a misdemeanor and punished more heavily, when any of these is also true:
- The driver was convicted of the same offense within the preceding eighteen months.
- The suspension or revocation came from refusing a chemical test, from driving after drinking while under twenty-one, or from a drunk or impaired driving conviction.
- It is the mandatory suspension while a drunk or impaired driving charge is pending.
- The driver has three or more suspensions in effect, imposed on at least three separate dates, for failing to answer, appear or pay a fine.
No license at all. Driving a motor vehicle on a public highway or a sidewalk, or to or from certain lots and garages, without being licensed is prohibited, as is driving with a class of license not valid for the vehicle, breaking a restriction on the license, or letting someone else use one's license.
Sources for this section (2)
- Veh. & Traf. Law § 511 — Operation while license or privilege is suspended or revoked; aggravated unlicensed operation
- Veh. & Traf. Law § 509 — Violations
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New York attorney.