Driving without a license?
 

I recently lost my wallet but would still like to get some driving done. Is it possible to drive with a photocopy of my drivers license? What sort of penalties go with driving without a license?

Thanks. :) :) :)

The answer to this question completely depends on what your state laws say. Where I live, the answer would be no. Photo copies are not a replacement for a driver license and here, you are required to have your license with you whenever you drive.

The best you can do at this point is get a new license as soon as possible. If you get stopped, tell the cop you plan on getting the new license in the morning. It may buy you time.

The only driving I would recommend would be straight to your local DMV.

In NJ, you have 24 hours to produce your DL, and you better produce it, it's not something that you'd want to fuss with. Inability to produce it can result in a suspended DL...

Word of warning, not sure if it's still true, but back in the day - when I was a young evil queen, I had my wallet stolen, and had a replacement liscence, when I would go out to bars, the bouncer could tell that it was a duplicate license - and every so often, I wasn't allowed in. ( i guess duplicate = fake)

Great great. I found out that my dad will be able to give me a ride tomorrow, so all is solved. Thanks for the replies :)

My brother once had his wallet stolen and he was allowwed to drive with a copy of his blue slip until he got it replaced. Ironically enough he got pulled over for the first time (this was a long time ago and he was about 17) during that period, and he didn't get in trouble. That was a good 6-7 years ago in IL though...

If you have your drivers license number and another piece of ID, most cops would let you off, in the event you were getting checked out... which happens about every 5 years for me personally.

It's not like this guy is stealing cars for christs sake people. This place really drives me nuts just reading the crazy comments. :crazy:

Just carry something with you to verify your identification (ie passport or some other photo ID). In most places the police can verify whether you have a valid liscense by checking their computer. They'll probably tell you to get your license as quickly as possible but you normally wont get into any trouble. Unless they have nothing better to do. My driving record has a pretty rough history.. so I know from experience.

Hell, Ive found that even if you dont have a liscense but your eligible to get one after a suspension has expired most police are willing to let you go if your nice to them and promise to get it ASAP.

You definitely don't live by me. Here, your license can be suspended, revoked or cancelled. Suspended or cancelled gets you a ticket and you have to find a way home. Revoked gets you arrested and booked into jail, then you have to find a way home. None of the cops around here let you go if they find your license wasn't valid and you were driving. Its pretty strict around here.

Ive been wondering the same thing. I have my drivers license number memorized and I wonder if that would work if I got pulled over without my wallet for whatever reason.

It would seem like in this day and age with the DMV license information available to police officers in seconds that having the actual paper license should just be a formality as long as you can prove your identity.

I've gotten by with my checkbook, since I have my drivers license number on it. But thats actually not supposed to work, but the state trooper that pulled me over was really nice about it.

i've only been pulled over once and i didn't have my license on me at the time. the cop asked for photo id and the only thing i had was my work badge (which had the wrong last name on it since i'd just gotten divorced....) he asked for my full name and address then called it in. i wasn't told i needed to produce my actual license at a later date or anything.

Most of the time you can get away with driving without a license, just as long as you have one (forgotten, lost). If you don't, and you lie to the cop, chances are he'll notice it, because this is the kind of behaviour he comes across every day and knowing when someone is lieing (sp?) is a part of his job.