Could you be unwittingly driving with a suspended MS driver’s license?
Imagine driving along, just like any other day, and you see blue lights flashing in your rearview. The officer who pulls you over tells you your license has been suspended, but you had no idea.
It happens more often than you might think and, if left unattended, could result in a very serious situation.
Your Mississippi license can be suspended for a variety of reasons
Mississippi driver’s licenses can be suspended for several reasons, and not all of them involve serious criminal activity.
Here are the most common reasons your license can be suspended, according to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS):
Unpaid traffic tickets or failure to respond to a summons or citation for certain traffic violations (though as of 2017, DPS no longer suspends licenses solely for unpaid fines and fees)
Excessive points or serious traffic offenses, including reckless driving or running a red light
DUI convictions or refusing a chemical test when pulled over on suspicion of DUI
Failure to appear in court
Failure to pay child support
No proof of insurance
Deemed medically or legally unfit to drive
Habitual reckless or negligent driving
Conviction for certain controlled substance crimes
Being involved in an accident resulting in serious property damage, injury or death
How could I not know my license is suspended?
You might be driving around with a suspended license and not even realize it.
The law firm of Stroud, Flechas and Dalton offers some common reasons why this happens include:
If you’ve moved and didn’t update your address with the DPS, any notices may have been sent to the wrong address.
Mail sometimes gets lost or overlooked, even if your address is correct.
The DPS may not send a notice due to administrative errors, or there could be a mix-up with your information.
If your suspension is a result of unpaid fines, court orders, or insurance lapses, you might not realize it unless you check your status.
How can I check to see if my license is suspended?
Ignorance isn’t a legal defense if you’re caught driving on a suspended license, which can result in fines, jail time, and further suspension.
To check your license status in Mississippi:
Check with the Mississippi DPS at 601-987-1224. They can tell you why your license is suspended and what steps to take to reinstate it.
Visit a local DPS office to speak directly with an agent.
Visit the DPS self-service portal.
If you were arrested or ticketed, your court paperwork may also indicate if your license is suspended.
What do I do if my license is suspended?
If you discover your license is suspended, don’t panic. The DPS can help you get your driving privileges back. This could mean paying fines, completing a defensive driving or alcohol safety course, providing proof of insurance, or complying with court orders
However, driving on a suspended license is a serious offense in Mississippi. You could face fines of $200 to $500, jail time from 48 hours up to six months, and an additional six-month suspension on top of your original penalty if you’re convicted of driving while suspended. Repeat offenses or aggravating circumstances can lead to harsher penalties.
If you think you may have been driving on a suspended license, you should take quick action to help avoid bigger problems down the road.
Have you ever had your license suspended, and you didn’t know it? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
