Traffic Citations Expensive, Compliance with Traffic Laws Urged
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015
Non-compliance with State of Texas traffic laws is an expensive proposition for offenders. Driving without a license in Texas is a violation of Chapter 521 of the Texas Transportation Code, which requires all persons who operate a motor vehicle to carry a valid driver’s license.
A violation of this provision (driving without a license) results in a misdemeanor charge. Multiple or repeated offenses will lead to progressively more severe consequences. The penalties for violations are a fine of no greater than $200 for first time offenses; for a second violation within one year of the first offense, a fine ranging from $25 to up to $200 is imposed; and a third conviction within one year of the second offense will result in a fine of up to $500, along with jail time of no less than 72 hours and no greater than 6 months.
If you are charged with driving without a license (DWL) in Texas, you may have to pay other related fees and costs. For example, the State of Texas has introduced a Driver Responsibility Program which is mandatory for certain vehicle-related violations. This program entails a surcharge due yearly for up to three years. For the offense of driving without a license, the surcharge is $100 a year.
Restrictions may be placed on the driving privileges of the offender such as having an existing license suspended or revoked. Driving without a license is a different offense from driving with a suspended or revoked license. They are both misdemeanors, although driving with a suspended license is generally a more serious offense with greater penalties.
Finally, some judiciary departments require that the defendant’s vehicle be towed and impounded, and the defendant would have to shoulder these costs as well. Expensive.
The total amount that offenders will have to pay in relation to this offense is largely up to the discretion of the judge. You should contact your local municipality or county to determine what the exact costs might be for traffic violations in their courts.
On this note, the City of Eagle Pass has had a great number of Driving Without a License (DWL) citations issued by the Eagle Pass Police Department during the past 12 months, including 500 citations for DWL being addressed by the City of Eagle Pass Municipal Court from November 2014 to September 2015.
The City of Eagle Pass Municipal Court monthly reports show that there have been 500 No Driver’s License citations issued by the Eagle Pass Police Department through October 2014 through September 2015, with 33 DWL Citations/Cases being adjudicated in the month of October 2014 , 49 DWL in November 2014, 46 DWL in December 2014, 22 DWL in January 2015, 29 DWL in February 2015, 36 DWL in March 2015, 41 DWL in April 2015, 59 DWL in May 2015, 70 DWL in June, 2015 , 42 DWL in July 2015, 38 DWL in August 2015, and 32 DWL in September 2015.
The Eagle Pass Municipal Court monthly reports further show during the past year, there were 588 No Insurance (N.I.) Citations/Cases adjudicated through its court system.
During the month of October2014 there were 52 No Insurance Citations/Cases adjudicated through the court, 50 in November 2014, 40 in December 2014, 26 in January 2015, 35 in February 2015, 40 in March 2015, 42 in April 2015, 73 in May 2015, 57 in June 2015, 64 in July 2015, 59 in August 2015, and 50 in September 2015.
From October 2014 to September 2015 there were 97 Expired Motor Vehicle Insurance (EXPMVI) Citations adjudicated through the City of Eagle Pass Municipal Court system.
During October 2014 there were 25 EXPMVI, 24 in November 2014, 14 in December 2014, 3 in January 2015, 14 in February 2015, 10 in March 2015, 2 in April 2015, 2 in May 2015, 0 in June 2015, 2 in July 2015, 1 in August 2015, and 0 in September 2015.
Eagle Pass Police Department Public Information Officer Humberto Garza stated that these types of traffic offenses are a serious matter that may lead to bigger issues for the violator(s).
Garza noted there are many juvenile violators who are cited for No Driver License (DL) which then becomes a serious problem for the child and parent who are subject to fines and other issues that may arise from such action depending on what violations the teen driver has committed, including driving violations and even accidents.
Garza recommends parents not allow their juvenile children to drive a vehicle without a valid drivers license and make sure to have proper insurance in place as well.
Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber stated these issues of Driving Without a License persist throughout the county and also makes a recommendation to the community to adhere to state traffic laws. Sheriff Schmerber added that parents should not allow their juvenile children to drive a motor vehicle unless they have a valid driver’s license and to make sure they have auto insurance.
Sheriff Schmerber gave an example of a recent case involving a young 13 old driver that was caught driving without a license in Maverick County.
In Texas, parents of unlicensed drivers may be held liable for fines and civil damages and lawsuits in the event of an accident.
It is better to comply with Texas transportation and traffic laws because the financial cost of fines, fees, programs, and damages, if any, are more expensive and can seriously affect the economic well-being of a juvenile or family. Strict compliance with Texas laws is highly urged by local law enforcement authorities.
