When stopping a driver for a moving violation who does not have their license, what is the appropriate charge?

When stopping a driver for a moving violation who does not have their license, what is the appropriate charge?

• A. Infraction: $150 first offense
• B. Misdemeanor
• C. Civil penalty only
• D. Traffic ticket with warning

Answer: (A)

Driving without a valid license is treated as a non-criminal traffic infraction for a first offense. The penalty is a set monetary fine, here $150. This status reflects that the driver is committing a violation by operating a vehicle without proper licensing, but it does not rise to a criminal misdemeanor unless there are aggravating factors or repeat offenses. A misdemeanor would imply jail time or more serious penalties, which isn’t appropriate for a first-time unlicensed operation. A civil penalty alone or a mere warning wouldn’t address the legal violation with a license requirement, so issuing an infraction with the stated fine is the proper approach in this scenario.