You will be cited and your vehicle may be impounded
If a police officer pulls you over and discovers your license is suspended, you will receive a citation for driving with a suspended license. This is a separate offense from whatever prompted the stop. The officer will run your license through the state database, which shows the suspension status and the reason for it.
Whether your car is impounded depends on your state and the reason for the suspension. If the suspension is for unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or failure to pay court costs, many states allow you to drive home or have someone else drive it away. If the suspension is for DUI, reckless driving, or medical reasons, the vehicle is more likely to be towed and held until the suspension is lifted and you show proof of reinstatement.
The citation you receive is a criminal or traffic misdemeanor, depending on your state. You will be required to appear in court or pay the fine. Ignoring this citation will result in additional charges and a warrant for your arrest.
Key Takeaways
- A suspended license citation is a separate charge from the reason your license was suspended in the first place.
- Your vehicle may be impounded on the spot, or you may be allowed to arrange for someone else to drive it, depending on your state and the type of suspension.
- Impound fees typically range from $100 to $300 for towing, plus daily storage charges that accumulate quickly.
- You cannot legally drive the vehicle home or to work while suspended, even if the officer does not impound it when ready.
- The citation for driving suspended is a separate court case that requires a court appearance or payment, in addition to resolving the original suspension.
Impound fees and how they accumulate
If your vehicle is towed, you will owe a towing fee when ready — typically $100 to $300 depending on the distance and your location. Once the car is in the impound lot, you will also owe a daily storage fee, usually $20 to $50 per day. These fees begin accruing the moment the vehicle enters the lot and do not stop until you retrieve it.
To retrieve your vehicle, you must first lift the suspension. This means paying any outstanding fines, child support, or court costs that caused the suspension in the first place. You will then need to visit your state DMV or licensing authority to request reinstatement. Only after reinstatement is complete can you go to the impound lot, show proof of reinstatement, and pay all accumulated towing and storage fees to get your car back.
If you cannot afford the impound fees, some jurisdictions offer payment plans or fee waivers for low-income drivers, but you must request this before the vehicle is sold at auction. Impound lots typically hold vehicles for 30 to 90 days before selling them to recover costs.
The court citation and what you owe
The citation for driving with a suspended license is a separate legal matter from the suspension itself. You will receive a ticket with a court date or a notice to pay a fine. The fine for driving suspended typically ranges from $100 to $1,000, depending on whether it is your first offense and your state's laws.
You have three options: pay the fine by the due date, appear in court to contest the citation, or ignore it. Paying the fine closes the case. Appearing in court allows you to explain the circumstances — for example, if you did not know your license was suspended, or if you were driving to a hospital or police station. Some judges will reduce or dismiss the fine if you can show you have since resolved the underlying suspension.
If you ignore the citation, the court will issue a bench warrant for your arrest. You may be stopped again and arrested. Additional charges for failure to appear will be added to your record, and your license may be suspended again for the new violation.
Reinstatement requirements after a suspension
Before you can legally drive again, you must complete the steps required to lift the suspension. These steps vary by the reason for suspension. If the suspension was for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount or set up a payment plan with the court. If it was for unpaid child support, you must contact the child support enforcement agency and make a payment or arrange a plan.
For suspensions related to medical reasons — such as failing a vision test or not providing proof of a medical condition — you must submit the required medical documentation to your state DMV. For suspensions related to drug or alcohol offenses, you may need to complete a substance abuse program or install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
Once you have met all requirements, you must visit your state DMV in person or online (depending on your state) to request reinstatement. You will pay a reinstatement fee, which typically ranges from $50 to $300. The DMV will verify that all requirements have been met, and your license will be restored. You will receive written confirmation of reinstatement, which you must carry with you and present to the impound lot or police officer if stopped again.
How a suspended license citation affects your driving record
A conviction for driving with a suspended license becomes part of your permanent driving record and will appear on background checks. This conviction can increase your insurance rates, sometimes by 50% or more, and will remain on your record for three to seven years depending on your state.
If you have multiple suspended license convictions, your state may impose harsher penalties on the next offense, including longer suspension periods, higher fines, or even jail time. Some states treat a third or fourth offense as a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
The conviction also affects your ability to obtain certain jobs, professional licenses, or housing, since employers and landlords can see the offense on a background check. If you drive for work — as a delivery driver, rideshare driver, or commercial driver — a suspended license conviction may disqualify you from that employment.
What to do if you are stopped while suspended
If you are pulled over and know your license is suspended, be honest with the officer. Tell them you are aware of the suspension and explain why you were driving — for example, you were driving to the DMV to resolve it, or you did not know it had been suspended. Do not attempt to hide the suspension or provide false information.
Ask the officer whether your vehicle will be impounded. If it will be, ask if someone can come pick it up when ready. If someone arrives to take the vehicle, the officer may allow it to be driven away by that person. If no one can come, the vehicle will be towed.
Request a copy of the citation and ask about the court date and fine amount. Write down the officer's name and badge number. If you believe the stop was unlawful or the citation is incorrect, you can contest it in court, but you must appear on the court date listed on the citation.
Do not drive again until your suspension is lifted. Driving a second time while suspended will result in another citation, additional fines, and a longer suspension period. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, contact your state DMV about a hardship license or work permit, which may be available depending on the reason for your suspension.
Hardship licenses and work permits
Some states offer a hardship license or work permit that allows limited driving while your license is suspended. These are typically available only for certain types of suspensions — such as those for unpaid fines or administrative reasons — and not for suspensions related to DUI, reckless driving, or medical disqualification.
To request a hardship license, you must show the DMV that you have a genuine need to drive — for example, you drive to your job, to medical appointments, or to care for a dependent. You will need to provide proof of employment, medical appointments, or caregiving responsibilities. The hardship license will restrict where you can drive and when, typically allowing only trips to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs.
A hardship license does not lift the suspension; it only allows you to drive under specific conditions. If you are pulled over and violate the terms of the hardship license — for example, by driving somewhere other than work — you will receive another citation and the hardship license will be revoked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my car back without lifting the suspension?
No. The impound lot will not release your vehicle until you show proof that your license suspension has been lifted. You must complete all reinstatement requirements, pay the reinstatement fee, and receive written confirmation from the DMV before the impound lot will release the car. You will also owe all towing and storage fees at that time.
What if I did not know my license was suspended?
Lack of knowledge is not a legal defense to driving suspended, but you can explain this to the judge in court. Some judges will reduce the fine if you can show you took when ready steps to resolve the suspension after learning about it. You should still pay the citation fine or appear in court rather than ignoring it.
Will the suspended license citation show up on a background check?
Yes. A conviction for driving with a suspended license appears on your driving record and on criminal background checks for seven years or longer, depending on your state. Employers, landlords, and insurance companies can see this conviction. It may affect your ability to get hired, find housing, or obtain affordable insurance.
Can I get the citation dismissed if I fix the suspension quickly?
Possibly, but only if you go to court and ask the judge. Paying the fine does not dismiss the citation; it closes the case. If you want the charge dismissed or reduced, you must appear in court before the due date and explain your situation to the judge. Bring proof that you have resolved the underlying suspension.
What happens if I get pulled over a second time while suspended?
You will receive another citation for driving suspended, and the penalties will be harsher. A second offense typically carries a higher fine and a longer suspension period. A third or subsequent offense may be charged as a felony in some states, resulting in jail time and a permanent criminal record.