Penalties for Driving On a Suspended License in Wisconsin

Driving without a driver’s license is illegal in Wisconsin. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your arrest, you could be facing misdemeanor charges or even felony charges, as well as a wide range of penalties.

It's possible you may face civil forfeitures (a loss of property). In other cases, you may be charged with a crime, carrying fines, and possible prison time.

Here are a number of possible penalties for driving on a suspended license in Wisconsin.

Read Also: Reckless Driving in Wisconsin: Penalties and Next Steps

License Suspension vs. Revocation

In Wisconsin, a license suspension is a temporary loss of your license, generally for less than a year. A license revocation, on the other hand, is a permanent loss of your license. 

Reasons for a Suspended License in WI

Drivers may have their licenses suspended in Wisconsin for a number of reasons, including:

• Repeat traffic violations, habitual recklessness and/or negligent behavior on the road
  
• Accumulating 12 or more demerit points within a 12 month period
• Alcohol-related offenses, like OWIs
• Failing or refusing a chemical test for prohibited alcohol concentration (PAC)
• Driving without insurance

Read Also: How to Protect Driving Privileges While Fighting an OWI in Wisconsin

Civil Forfeiture

In most situations, driving on a suspended license in Wisconsin may result in a fine of $50 to $200. Some can face even higher fines of up to $2,500 (Wis. Stat. § 343.44).

It’s best to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney to understand the potential penalties for your specific circumstances.

Criminal Charges

In other situations, like those involving OWI, or driving with a revoked license, you may face criminal charges with more severe penalties, including:

• A fine of up to $2,500
• Up to one year in county jail
  
  

Damage to Property While Driving on a Suspended License in Wisconsin

If you cause damage to property while driving on a suspended or revoked license, you may be required to forfeit more money (Wis. Stat. § 343.44(2)(e-f)). In certain circumstances, you may have your vehicle impounded as well (Wis. Stat. § 343.44(4)).

Injuring or Killing Someone While Driving on a Suspended License in Wisconsin

If you injure or kill someone while driving on a suspended or revoked license in Wisconsin, the classification of the crime you'll be charged with and the potential penalties will depend on the specific details of your case.

While it's possible you could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, as described in Wis. Stat. § 343.44(2)(g-h), you might also be charged with a felony offense, instead.

Prior Knowledge of Suspended License 

Wisconsin's law provides both misdemeanor and felony charges to be allowed within the same statute, depending on the details of your case.

One important contributing factor that will inform both the charges and the penalties you will face is whether or not you are found to have been aware of your suspended driving privileges before the injury or death.

Having prior knowledge of a suspended license before an event increases the severity of the offense classification. Causing great bodily harm while driving on a suspended license becomes a Class I felony, while causing death while driving on a suspended license becomes a Class H felony.

• Up to a $10,000 fine
• As much as 6 years in prison (for a Class H felony)
• Both of these penalties

Given these high stakes, it's imperative that you consult a skilled criminal defense attorney if you're facing any of these charges.

Read Also: How to Choose the Right Lawyer in Wisconsin

How to Reinstate Your Driving Privileges

To reinstate your driving privileges after the period of suspension or revocation is over, first check with the DMV to determine whether you are eligible and what information you need to provide.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may need to provide proof of insurance or visit a DMV customer service center.

Be prepared with:

• A method of paying the mandatory reinstatement fee (such as a valid credit card)
• Wisconsin Driver's license or Wisconsin ID card number
• Basic personal information such as date of birth, the last four digits of your SSN 
  
  

What to Do If You’re Caught Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License in Wisconsin

In addition to fines and jail time, driving on a suspended license can result in an even longer suspension period—a penalty that can make it difficult to stay employed, obtain and keep insurance, and live the lifestyle that you want.

If you are facing these charges, it’s important to contact an experienced Wisconsin criminal defense attorney who can examine the specifics of your case, explain the possible penalties, and provide legal help.

FREE 10-Minute Consultation

Wisconsin Criminal Defense Attorney Pat Stangl has been aggressively defending clients across the state for over 30 years. Attorney Stangl is happy to offer you a FREE 10-minute consultation at no obligation to discuss your case and explore options for your defense. Click the button below to request your meeting with Madison defense lawyer Pat Stangl.