Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

Renewal of Drivers License by Mail

Would this be considered driving with an expired license? I was sent a Renewal By Mail (RBM) Notice by the DMV last September. I filled it out and enclosed the requisite $24.00 check,-- which they cashed -- but still have not received anything.

I now realize that I will have to personally straighten this out at a DMV office, but in the mean time can I use this cancelled check as proof of having been approved for a current license?

Also, if I were to get stopped by the police, what are the chances that they would impound my vehicle for 30 days because of this oversight? -- And how exactly does that work? Do they have the tow truck driver pick up your car wherever it was pulled over, and then the officer takes you down to the police station??? Or do they leave you there on the side of the road to find your own transportation home? What if you had children and/or a rather large dog in the car at the time?

What are the guidelines for this type of Misdemeanor/Infraction?


Asked on 2/07/05, 5:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: Renewal of Drivers License by Mail

You will save yourself a lot of time and grief by going to the DMV and getting the license. The license may be on hold for some reason. If the license was taken from the mail and is being used for criminal conduct you could be in for a very difficult time. If the license was lost in the mail you would be guilty of driving without a valid license in your possession. As to whether the car would be impounded, that depends upon the police officer and his or her attitude about you and the offense.

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Answered on 2/10/05, 10:09 pm


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