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Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Sara Getman Associate EditorSara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.
Reviewed by Mark Friedlander Mark Friedlander Director, Corporate Communications, Triple-IAs Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated September 5, 2024
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Most states don’t have a grace period between the time of license expiration and license renewal that allows drivers to legally operate their vehicle with an expired license. Specific penalties vary based on the state you live in, but consequences for driving with an expired license include tickets, fines, jail time, suspension, and denied claims from your car insurance company.
The best method of avoiding complications related to an expired driver’s license is proactive license renewal. If mistakes happen, the penalties associated with driving with an expired license will likely increase the cost of your insurance. Before you buy or renew a car insurance policy, compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best option for you.
No. You can’t drive with an expired license. Only a few states have limited grace periods in place for license renewal. Driving with an expired license is illegal because states rely on obtaining updated driver information and ensuring your continued ability to drive safely.
Though a few states provide drivers a grace period to complete driver’s license renewals after expiration, the period generally lasts for less than 30 days. The smartest option is to renew your license prior to expiration.
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Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from September 5, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
See more quotesSee less quotesThe penalties drivers face for driving without a renewed and valid driver’s license range in severity depending on state law. Serious consequences following interactions with law enforcement include suspended registration, hefty fines, tickets, potential jail time, and a lack of coverage from your insurer for anything occurring after your driver’s license expires.
If you renew your license after the expiration date but don’t drive with an expired license, you’ll likely face a more tedious renewal process, depending on what state you live in.
In Missouri, for example, drivers with a license expired for more than six months have to repass the state’s vision screening, road sign recognition, skills test, and written test but don’t have to pay a late-renewal fee. [1]
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Driver’s licenses regularly expire for a few different reasons. Many states need to confirm that drivers can see well enough to drive by conducting an eye test at the time of renewal. Mandated renewal also helps each state’s motor vehicle agency or department of motor vehicles update driver photos and addresses. License expiration dates also prevent the fraudulent use of a lost or stolen license.
Specific guidelines vary by state and age, but drivers in the United States must renew their driver’s licenses anywhere from every two to every 12 years. [2] The most common renewal cycles last between four and eight years.
The deadline for license renewal often occurs on the driver’s date of birth, making the expiration date easier to remember.
Here are the different renewal periods each state requires. You may notice that some states have different rules based on your age.
State Renewal PeriodNo. Your insurance company can refuse coverage if you get into an accident with an expired license. But rare exceptions exist.
Some insurers may cover an accident if your state has a set grace period — an established timeframe in which you can legally drive after your license expires. In most cases, driving with an expired license violates the terms of your insurance policy.
If you have comprehensive coverage for a classic car in storage, this policy can still offer financial protection from non-collision events if you don’t have a driver’s license.
Insurers typically won’t pay claims if you have a moving violation — like an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, or DUI — while driving with an expired license. Your insurance company may cancel your coverage if you violate your specific policy by driving without a license.
Although you can’t legally drive with an expired license, it’s still a good idea to maintain your insurance coverage while you’re getting your license renewed. A gap in coverage can make it more difficult to get car insurance at affordable rates in the future. In the long run, it’ll be cheaper to maintain your coverage than to let it lapse, or cancel it, and try to get a new policy later.
For some perspective on insurance costs, here are the average monthly car insurance rates in each state, from cheapest full-coverage rate to most expensive.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT . Full Coverage Liability OnlyDisclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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State penalties for driving without a license vary. [3] People caught driving with an expired license may end up facing the same penalties as people driving without any license.
Below, you can find your state’s penalties for a driver’s first offense of driving without a license. Keep in mind the listed penalties may not apply concurrently and don’t include penalties beyond the first offense.
State Penalty for Driving Without a LicenseBy renewing your license prior to expiration, you avoid penalties and fees for late renewal and driving with an expired license. Renewal requirements vary by state, so check your state’s DMV website to find specifics. Necessary paperwork for in-person renewal may include your current license, Social Security number, a bill with your current address, and more.
All states allow drivers to renew their licenses in person, and some even require it for all drivers. Drivers are able to renew their driver’s licenses online in many states, with some exceptions and in-person requirements for obtaining a REAL ID or implementing a full name change on the new driver’s license. Depending on your eligibility, you may also be able to renew by mail.
Rates start at $40/mo. for full-coverage policies
