Can You Legally Drive with an Expired License? (2025)

While it’s sometimes possible to unknowingly miss your driver’s license expiration dates, you can’t legally drive with an expired license.

Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.

It’s illegal to drive with an expired license, and most states don’t have a grace period between when your license expires and when you get it renewed. So, it’s important to be proactive about renewal to avoid tickets, fines, jail time, suspension, and even denied claims from your car insurance company.

Here’s what you need to know about driving with an expired license.

Can you drive with an expired license?

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.1

Consequences of driving with an expired license

The 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.2

State penalties for driving without a license

State penalties for driving without a license vary. 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.

Why do driver’s licenses expire?

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.

How often do you need to renew your 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. 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.

What happens if you renew your driver’s license after the expiration date?

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.

Does your insurance coverage still apply if your license expires?

No. 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, but in most cases, driving with an expired license violates the terms of your insurance policy.

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.

Ways to renew your driver’s license

By renewing your license prior to expiration, you avoid penalties and fees for late renewal and driving with an expired license. Here’s how to renew your license:3

Expired license FAQs

An expired license can be a big issue. Here’s some additional information about driver’s licenses to help you.

  • Can you legally drive with an expired license?

    No. You can’t legally drive with an expired license, although a few states offer a short grace period between license expiration and license renewal. Some states may send out a renewal notice for impending license expiration, but you should make a habit of renewing your license well in advance of the expiration deadline.

  • What happens if you get pulled over with an expired license?

    You’ll face penalties determined by laws in your state if you’re caught driving with an expired license. Potential consequences include fees, tickets, and jail time. Most insurance companies won’t provide you coverage if you have an expired license.

  • Is there a grace period for driving with an expired license?

    It depends on the state, but in general, no. The only states that offer grace periods are Alabama, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Vermont. Note that many states allow grace periods for having to retake a driving exam, but this isn’t the same as a grace period for driving with an expired license.

  • How can you renew your driver’s license?

    Drivers in the United States can renew their licenses online, in person, and by mail, depending on the specific requirements in their state. Some states require all drivers to renew their licenses in person, while others offer online renewal in most cases. Additionally, most states allow for renewal by mail for eligible drivers with medical or military excuses.

  • Do you still have to have car insurance if your license is expired?

    You should carry car insurance even if your license expires. Some states require continuous liability insurance on any registered vehicle, whether or not you drive the car. For example, in Pennsylvania, the penalty for a coverage lapse is a three-month vehicle registration suspension. You may also pay a higher premium in the future if you have a lapse in coverage.

  • Can you throw away an expired license?

    Yes. It’s best to shred it or cut it up to protect your identity and avoid it being misused. Some DMVs allow you to turn in your expired license.

Katie Powers
Katie PowersSenior Editor

Katie Powers is an insurance writer at Insurify with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in New York and expertise in personal finance and auto insurance topics. She strives to help consumers make better financial decisions. Prior to joining Insurify, she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Emerson College. Her work has been published in St. Louis Magazine, the Boston Globe, and elsewhere. Connect with Katie on LinkedIn.

Learn More
linkedin