Hello All,

I live in OHIO, My license was suspended for having 12 points (nothing
drug related, just moving violations).

I now have moved to houston, texas (visiting really), and I Want to drive here.

Can I drive, I still have my ohio state license, it is just suspended.

I mean this angle from two perspectives. Legally as well as
practically, so let us say theoretically It is illegal to drive,
however if one were to do so, what would be the ramifications of doing
such an act.

Also, in general what is the extent of law punishable for doin such an
act, say I want to go buy a pizza right now and I am caught for
driving with a suspended license, what is tre extent I can be punished
for?

thanks, and peace.

Dear sasjamal-ga;

Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question.

Many states have reciprocal agreements - Driver License Compact (DLC)
and Nonresident Violator Compact (NRVC) agreements - where suspended
licenses are concerned. This agreement requires member states to
report tickets received by motorist to the state where they received a
license to drive so as to receive points and get an insurance hike.
Also when a state suspends the license of a driver who is from
out-of-state, the state where the motorist received a license to drive
will also suspend their license as well. In like manner, all member
states recognize other member states? suspensions, so if you drive in
Texas with a suspended driver?s license and get caught, you will be
subject to Texas laws in the same manner as if you had a suspended
Texas license.

DLC/NRVC MEMBER STATES
http://www.dui.com/dmvinformation/CompactsMemberStatus.pdf

Texas and Ohio are current members of both DLC and NRVC compacts. 

TRANSPORTATION CODE
CHAPTER 523. DRIVER'S LICENSE COMPACT OF 1993
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/cqcgi?CQ_SESSION_KEY=ULJKZQOFSNHN&CQ_QUERY_HANDLE=124860&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=3&CQ_TLO_DOC_TEXT=YES


Under Texas driving law, if you are caught driving with a suspended
license there is an additional mandatory period of suspension. In
addition the state, at it?s discretion, can revoke or permanently
cancel your license for failure to comply with the terms of a citation
issued by another state that is a member of the Nonresident Violator
Compact of 1977.

TEXAS DRIVING LAW/TRAFFIC LAWS
http://www.statedrivinglaw.com/texas-driving-law.html

In the event that your license if found to already be suspended, the
subsequent mandatory suspension is for a period no less than 18
additional months.

TEXAS STATUTES: § 521.343
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/cqcgi?CQ_SESSION_KEY=VLMLHMNFSNHN&CQ_QUERY_HANDLE=124673&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=3&CQ_TLO_DOC_TEXT=YES

Under Texas Statute § 521.347, (see same link) the court may, at its
discretion, require you to physically surrender any operator?s license
you have and you may be jailed until your court date, as evidenced by
this statement in the statutes:

?For purposes of this section, a final judgment of forfeiture of bail
or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court is
a conviction if the forfeiture is not vacated.?

It goes without saying then that if you are jailed for driving on a
suspended license, your vehicle will be impounded and you will be
responsible for all towing fees and storage fees at a local rate of X
amount of dollars PER DAY for every day the vehicle is in impound.

Upon conviction you ?could? (worst case scenario) face a maximum of up
to one year in jail and a $2000 fine (plus court costs).

At the end of your suspension period (and your additional suspension
period), you will be required to pay a $125 reinstatement fee just to
get your license back.

Suffice it to say that you don?t want to be caught driving on a
suspended license, and you ESPECIALLY don?t want to be caught doing it
in Texas.

I hope you find that my research exceeds your expectations. If you
have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher



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Awesome Anser - thanks.

get delivery

Well, I want PIZZA POCKETS - not pizza, sorry.

You must also consider the Insurance issue.

Check with your Insurers ... They may say 'No Way!'

So, you might find yourself recruited for a Chain Gang double quick.

Driving without a license in some states is now a crime (misdemeanor),
so I wouldn't do it. Also, when applying for a license, I know a
question is asked about being licensed in another state, and have you
ever been suspended. I guess you could try and apply, but I think that
the state DMV systems are more tightly integrated than they used to be
and it may show up in your record search.

Well I do not want to really apply for a new license, I am more
concerned about driving with a seemiling valid license (from
appearence) fray day to day things like purchasing pizza pockets.