I was caught driving without a valid licence. What penalty?

What the Law Says

The Road Traffic Act makes it illegal to drive without a valid licence, and sets clear penalties depending on whether it is your first or subsequent offence.

Driving without a valid licence is a criminal offence under section 35 of the Road Traffic Act. This includes driving with an expired, suspended, revoked, or never-issued licence.

For a first offence, the penalty is a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.

If convicted of a second or subsequent offence, the penalties increase: the court may impose a higher fine, longer imprisonment (still up to 12 months), or both — and the court must also disqualify you from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least 12 months.

Statutory Text

Any person who drives a motor vehicle on a road otherwise than in accordance with a licence authorising him to drive that class of motor vehicle shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both; and where the person has previously been convicted of an offence under this section, he shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, and the court shall, in addition, disqualify him from holding or obtaining a driving licence for such period, not being less than 12 months, as the court thinks fit.

— Road Traffic Act, s. 35 — Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence

What to Do

Sources