Many drivers are surprised to learn that their license has been suspended or revoked only after being stopped by law enforcement. One missed court date or unpaid fine can quickly snowball into a Driving While License Revoked (DWLR) charge. In North Carolina, DWLR is a criminal offense, not just a simple traffic ticket, and a conviction can lead to jail time, additional suspensions, and lasting damage to your record.

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Attorney Jake Kruger through Kruger Law Firm, PLLC helps drivers in Salisbury, Rowan County, and across North Carolina address license problems, defend DWLR charges, and work toward getting legally back on the road.

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Two Types of DWLR in North Carolina

North Carolina law recognizes two primary types of Driving While License Revoked, each with different levels of severity and consequences.

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DWLR Not Impaired Revocation

This is the more common form of DWLR. It applies when your license is revoked or suspended for reasons that do not involve Driving While Impaired (DWI).

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DWLR Not Impaired Revocation is generally charged as a Class 3 misdemeanor. Potential consequences include:

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• Up to 20 days in jail, depending on your prior record

• A fine that can be up to $200 dollars

• Additional suspensions or complications with the North Carolina DMV

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For many drivers the best approach is to address the reason for the suspension and clean up the driving record, rather than simply pleading guilty.

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DWLR Impaired Revocation

This form of DWLR is significantly more serious. It most commonly applies when your license is revoked because of:

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• A prior DWI conviction

• A refusal to submit to a chemical test in a DWI investigation

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DWLR Impaired Revocation is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Penalties can include:

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• Up to 120 days in jail

• Substantial additional suspension periods

• The real possibility of a permanent revocation of your driving privilege for repeat offenses

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Judges and prosecutors often treat impaired revocation cases much more harshly, particularly when there is a prior DWI history.

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No Operator's License (NOL)

No Operator's License, commonly known as "NOL" is a similar but distinct offense you may be charged with if you drive without ever having had a license. Similar to DWLR Not Impaired, NOL is a Class 3 misdemeanor. 

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How Kruger Law Firm, PLLC Can Help Clean Up Your Driving Record

Attorney Jake Kruger does not just look at the current DWLR charge. The real solution almost always starts with fixing the underlying license problem, if possible. Steps include:

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• Reviewing your complete North Carolina driving record

• Identifying old tickets, unpaid fines, and Failures to Appear that are causing or extending a suspension

• Rescheduling missed traffic court dates so they can be addressed properly

• Filing a Motion for Appropriate Relief to reopen a problematic ticket that was resolved in a way that caused a revocation

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What To Do If You Are Charged With DWLR or NOL

If you have been charged or arrested for Driving While License Revoked in Salisbury, Rowan County, or elsewhere in North Carolina:

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1. Do not plead guilty without understanding the impact on your record and future license status

2. Do not pay off old tickets without first talking to an attorney, as that can sometimes make a suspension worse

3. Contact an attorney as soon as possible so they can review your driving record and start building a plan