Im on h1b visa hi, i got 12500a vc, unlicensed driver in california. If you are charged with driving on a suspended license vc 14601. Vehicle code 12500a a person may not drive a motor vehicle upon a highway, unless the person then holds a valid drivers license issued under this code, except those persons who are expressly exempted under this code vehicle code 12500b a person may not drive a motorcycle, motordriven cycle, or. A vc 12500 infraction would be a better charge to accept because it would not put 2 dmv points on your dmv record like the vc 14601. The only consequence of being convicted of vehicle code 12500 vc as an infraction is a maximum two hundred fifty dollar fine. A drivers license does not, however, need to be issued in california for it to be valid. California vehicle code 12500a vc 12500a cvc 12500 a. Riding a motorcycle without california license vc 12500. Offenses originally charged as a misdemeanor may be reduced to an infraction depending on the circumstances of the case and the defendants driving record. A california criminal defense lawyer is your best bet to try to get this charge reduced to an infraction or completely dropped. Drivers license cvc 12500 california traffic tickets. Kraut works hard to ensure the best possible outcome for his clients. Informal otherwise known as summary probation for up to three years, up to six months in the county jail, a maximum 1,000 fine, a possible 30day impound of your car.
This offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or an infraction. This translation application tool is provided for purposes of information and convenience only. If you actually had insurance at the time, showing that you were in fact insured may be enough to get the charge. It is illegal to drive a vehicle in the state of california if you never obtained a drivers license, failed to renew your license upon expiration, or the state has deemed you ineligible to obtain a license for example, if you are an. Ca vehicle code 12500 a unlawful to drive unless licensed.
The court clerk told me that my case should be very simple, i just need to present. The police arrived and asked me for my drivers license, but i didnt have one, so they gave me a notice to appear for 12500 a vc unlicensed driver, and in the note says that its a misdemeanor but it doesnt say that i must pay a fine. I was charged and convicted of 12500 a vc infraction,unlicensed driver, in california. On august 30, 2001, the court ordered the complaint amended by interlineation by adding violation of 12500 a vc, unlicensed driver, an infraction, as to count 2. Vc 12500 driving without a license in california know.
Vehicle code vc 12500 a can be charged as a misdemeanor so if you fail to appear in court and miss your court date, then a warrant for your arrest can be issued. In california, a highway is defined as any way or place of whatever nature that is publicly maintained and open for public use for the purpose of traveling in a. Unlicensed driver misdemeanor operate motor vehicle on any highway without license. A person who is driving without valid license in california is guilty of a misdemeanor violation of california vehicle code section 12500 unless he falls under an exception. A conviction under vc 12500 as an infraction will not result in jail time, and a conviction would not show on your criminal record. Consequences of a vc 12500a by driving on a suspended drivers license or driving without having a valid california license, according to vehicle code vc 12500a, you are at risk for having your vehicle impounded in certain situations. Ca vc 12500 a is not a misdemeanor, it is an infraction. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor it will appear on your criminal record. My 15 year old unlicensed stepson opened the secured garage door late at night and. Because her new york drivers license is still valid, she does not bother to get a new california. Advanced search forum traffic law drivers licenses unlicensed driving.
Motorcycle license infraction license required to operate a motorcycle m1 2 wheel cycle. The term valid license includes properly issued and valid drivers licenses from other. Im on h1b visa and im planning to attend visa interview abroad in a month. Anxiety, nervousness, and anticipation set in as you realized that obtaining your drivers license is one of the major keys to freedom. Vehicle code 14610 vc unlawful use of a drivers license. However, a conviction under vc 12500 if convicted as a misdemeanor can result in fines, jail time, and probation. In that case, the person is not guilty of driving on a suspended license, however they are probably guilty of the lesser included offense of vc 12500a, unlicensed driver. As a misdemeanor, vc 12500 carries with it potential jail time, higher fines, and would become detectable on your criminal record. It can be filed as an infraction, if ticket fees are not paid when due. Misdemeanor 12500 vc driving without a valid driver s license in california a judge may impose any or all of the following 14. I got charged with 12500 a cvc, 16020 a, and driving.
Choose from 97 different sets of common cvc violations flashcards on quizlet. Under the law, vc 12500 may be charged as either an infraction or as a misdemeanor. Driving without a license all drivers in the state of california are required to have a valid drivers license before they operate a motor vehicle. California vehicle code 12500 a vc prohibits people from driving in california without a valid drivers license. Soon after the incident, i have changed my out of state dl to california one. On the way, an officer pulls her over and cites her for violating california vehicle code 12500. In order to prove this offense the prosecution must show the following elements. Vc 12500 is what is known as a wobblette under california law. California vehicle code 12500 a can be charged as either. Caught driving without a license, vc 12500a infraction. Caught driving without a license, vc 12500a infraction my question involves a drivers license issued by the state of. Vehicle code 12500 is a california traffic law that prohibits driving without a license. I turned 17 on july 23rd and just got my license 4 days ago.
There may be several reasons as to why a person may be charged with driving without a valid license. If you have a fixed and permanent home and principal residence in california, you are considered a legal resident in the state of california. In many cases, prosecutors are willing to reduce a california vehicle code section 12500 vc charge to an infraction or even dismiss the case if the defendant is able to obtain a valid. California vehicle code vc 12500 a unlawful to drive unless licensed reasons that you can be charged with a vc 12500 a offense. As long as the driver is licensed by a sisterforeign jurisdiction, he is legally licensed under california law california vehicle. Caught driving without a license, vc 12500 a infraction my question involves a drivers license issued by the state of. Additionally, the court may impound your car for up to thirty days, at your expense. Or your california license is expired and you did not renew it in these cases, the police and the prosecutors can. But as a misdemeanor, driving without a license can be punished by.
Vehicle code 12500 a vc is the statute that makes it a crime to drive in california without a valid drivers license. Vc 12500 driving a motorcycle in california without a california license. This means that the offense may be charged as a misdemeanor or infraction. Fortunately, whether you receive a vc 12500 conviction as a misdemeanor or an infraction, it wont result in any points on your dmv record, like it would if you were convicted of vc 14601. You can be charged with this offense vc 12500 a if you live in california but you have an out of state license. You can be charged you with vehicle code 12500 vc if you get caught driving under these circumstances. Vc 12500 a unlicensed driver if you or someone you know was charged with driving without a license under vehicle code, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation. As a driver, do you remember studying the california driver handbook preparing for one of the biggest tests of your life. In contrast, driving without a valid drivers license in drivers possession is not a misdemeanor but an infraction offense under california vehicle code section 12951.
California vehicle code section 12500 a vc makes it a crime to drive a motor vehicle on a highway without a valid license. Ca vc 12500a is not a misdemeanor, it is an infraction. This legal slang means that the charge can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or an infraction. Vehicle code 12500 a vc driving without a license california. A violation of 12500 a vc can be charged as an infraction or a misdemeanor, with the only difference being the amount of the fine.
Several weeks later, we received a letter from the county probation department regarding the charge 12500 a vcmisdemeanor which is not accord with the citation. Caught driving without a license, vc 12500a infraction if this is your first visit, be sure. The police can charge you with vehicle code 12500 vc if you get caught driving in a situation where. In lieu of imprisonment, a judge has the discretion to impose misdemeanor probation, or summary or informal probation. You live in california but have an international license. For that reason, it is important that you always operate a motor vehicle with a valid california driver. Think of the hypothetical where a teenager, for example, drives without having previously been licensed. They talked to my mom and told her that they would give her a call back on what they decided to do but they never did, they just told me to park.
Vehicle code 12500 driving without a license the law. On july 6th i was caught driving with only my permit at around 1am, i was 16 at the time. This is the first time that im involved in something like that. I got a 12500 a vc unlicensed driver misdemeanor ticket.
California vehicle code 12500 a is a california traffic misdemeanor alleging that a person drove without a valid license. Traffic infractions vs misdemeanors help with traffic ticket. California on july 6th i was caught driving with only my permit at around 1am, i was 16 at the time. To be valid, a drivers license doesnt necessarily have to. California vehicle code vc 12500a unlawful to drive unless licensed reasons that you can be charged with a vc 12500a offense.
California vehicle code section 12500 or cvc 12500a or simple vc 12500a requires a valid license to drive a car in california. Failure to do so is, in effect, driving without a license, and is a violation of 12500 a vc. A 12500 a vc will often be reduced to an infraction in court if you show that you have since obtained your license. California unlicensed drivers experienced upland attorneys. Persons required to be licensed, exemptions, and age limits 12500 12527 article 1 enacted by stats. In many cases, prosecutors are willing to reduce a california vehicle code section 12500 vc charge to an infraction or even dismiss the case if the defendant is able to obtain a valid california driver s license while charges are pending.