Can you drive after your driver's license expires?

Driving with an expired license is illegal, but the penalty for doing so varies by state. In some states, driving with an expired license leads to a ticket; other states might add points to the driver's record.

An expired license is not the same as a suspended license. License suspensions can be the result of civil or criminal offenses. As a result, the penalties typically differ between the two types of illegal licenses. It's also important to note that, as of 2015, some states impose a fee on drivers who don't renew their licenses on time. Connecticut, for example, imposes a $25 fine for late renewal, even if the license expired the day before.