The discussion of the penalty for driving with a suspended license in California has been in the news recently now in 2007 with the whole Paris Hilton situation. As you are likely aware she was caught driving with a suspended license and sentenced to 45 days in jail so it would appear that this would be a common sentence for driving on a suspended license in CA.

Sections 14600 - 14611 of the California Vehicle Code concern the issue of violating provisions of a CA driver's license. Section 14601(a) states that no person shall drive a motor vehicle at any time when that person's driving privilege is suspended or revoked for reckless driving....if the person so driving has knowledge of the suspension or revocation.

Portion be of this section of law states that any person convicted under this section shall be punished as follows:

Upon a first conviction, by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than five days or more than six months and by a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

If the offense occurred within five years of a prior offense which resulted in a conviction of a violation of this section the punishment could be imprisonment in a county jail for not less than 10 days or more than one year and by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) or more than two thousand dollars ($2,000).

For more information on the penalties for driving with a suspended license you can try contacting the California Department of Motor Vehicles.