It is against the law to drive without a valid license in Georgia.

There is GA Senate Bill (SB 15) that passed through the GA senate in early 2007 and is now goes to the House which proposes stricter and harsher penalties for driving without a license in Georgia.

The bill would make the first offense of failing to obtain a license two days in jail, with the second offense ten days in jail. The third would be a felony of one to five years in prison.

The new crime would apply to motorists who had never gotten a Georgia driver's license or who had their license suspended - NOT those who do not have their license with them or who have let their license expire.

If your sister-in-law was driving with a suspend license or a RI license that has been revoked then Georgia will also penalize her for driving without having a valid license.

Georgia law (OCGA section 40-5-121) is about driving while your license is suspended or revoked and discusses penalties for driving without a valid license. Here it states that any person who drives a motor vehicle on any public highway of this state at a time when his privilege to do so is suspended, disqualified, or revoked shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for a first conviction.

Punishment for misdemeanors in GA can include jail time as well as a fine of up to $1000.

To find out what the fine or jail time could be for this offense your sister in law should call the court listed on her ticket (if she were cited for this offense) or contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).