The relaxed environment that existed for drivers since the pandemic has come to an end. What for years was tolerated as a necessity is now once again strictly regulated. State authorities have started to act without exceptions.
A simple traffic stop may be enough for you to get fined if you have an expired license. That was the surprise a driver got when Officer Díaz recently stopped him. He thought the grace period was still in effect, but that's no longer the case.
End of exemptions: driving without renewal is now illegal
Pandemic exemptions for expired licenses have already expired in all states, from Alaska to Florida, DMV insists the printed date now counts. The last major moratorium, in Texas, officially ended in April 2021. During the public health emergency, 34 states suspended fines for expirations.
Some allowed expired licenses for up to one year, but that period of leniency ended with the full reopening of offices. The implementation of Real ID this May marked a final point and the federal government no longer allows further extensions. That's why any expired license is no longer valid for driving or flying.
Driving with an expired license may cost you from $50 to $500, in some states, you also face possible jail time. In Georgia, up to one year in prison is even considered and insurers are also tightening their policies.
If you don't have a valid license at the time of the accident, they may refuse to pay, which leaves many drivers unprotected against any unforeseen event. In addition, after six months of expiration, some states add restitution surcharges. Ignoring renewal may be very costly and without a Real ID, you won't be able to pass TSA checkpoints at the airport.
What to do now? Renew without losing time
First, check the exact expiration date on your license, most expire on your birthday, don't let it pass. Second, try to renew online, 42 states allow you to do so and many don't require a new photo, so you'll save time and avoid lines. Third, prepare the necessary documents for Real ID.
You'll need proof of Social Security, address, and a passport or birth certificate. Book as soon as possible if you need an in-person appointment, in cities, slots may run out in minutes. North Carolina proposes an exception, but there are no guarantees.
A bill seeks to give a two-year margin for expired licenses in North Carolina. It would only apply within the state and until 2027, although it's still pending full approval. No other state supports similar initiatives.
The trend is toward digitalization, not more extensions, self-service kiosks and mobile licenses are the new priority. The author of the bill himself acknowledges its limitations, he says it's "a patch, not a solution." The possibility of its approval in the Senate is uncertain.