Martins Bill Punishing Unlicensed Drivers Moves Out of Committee

At the request of Senator Jack Martins (R-C-I, Mineola), the Senate Transportation Committee has today moved legislation (S.4786-A) sponsored by Senator Martins that will significantly increase the penalties for anyone caught driving without a legal driver’s license.

“Currently, if an individual is caught driving without a license, he or she only faces a mere violation that carries a minor fine equivalent to a parking ticket,” said Senator Martins. “But if someone is caught driving with a temporarily suspended license, that person could face jail time. Why should someone who is driving without a license, who has never even passed a basic written or road test be given a lighter penalty than the one who at least originally obtained a license to drive legally? This bill addresses that loophole in the law and would make jail time a possibility for the unlicensed driver as well.”

The legislation establishes that an individual who is caught operating a motor vehicle without a legal driver’s license can be found guilty of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, a misdemeanor crime.

The bill is expected to come before the full Senate for a vote shortly.