In every state it is illegal to drive without a valid driver's license. Iowa Code section 321.174 notes in paragraph 1 that a person, except those expressly exempted, shall not operate any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless the person has a driver's license issued by the department valid for the vehicle's operation.
If your daughter has a license but did not have it in her possession at the time of being ticketed for driving without a license than paragraph 3 of this section of the IA Code would apply. Here it states that a licensee shall have the licensee's driver's license in immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display the same, upon demand of a judicial magistrate, district associate judge, district judge, peace officer, or examiner of the department. However, a person charged with violating this subsection shall not be convicted if the person produces in court, within a reasonable time, a driver's license issued to that person and valid for the vehicle operated at the time of the person's arrest or at the time the person was charged with a violation of this section.
If your daughter has not obtained a driver’s license and was driving than she would be able to be penalized under section 321.218 of the IA Code. Here it notes that a person that operates without a valid driver’s license commits a simple misdemeanor. It is also noted here that in addition to any other penalties, the punishment imposed for a violation of this subsection shall include assessment of a fine of not less than two hundred fifty ($250) dollars nor more than one thousand five hundred ($1500) dollars.
Also if someone allowed your daughter to drive their car knowing that she did not have a driver’s license they too could be penalized by the state of Iowa. IA Code section 321.220 is titled permitting unauthorized person to driver. Here Iowa law states that a person shall not knowingly authorize or permit a motor vehicle owned by the person or under the person's control to be driven upon a highway by a person who is not issued a driver's license valid for the vehicle's operation.
A person convicted of a violation of this section of the Iowa Code is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 4, paragraph "c." Here it states that for violations under sections 321.174, 321.216B, 321.216C, 321.219, and 321.220, the scheduled fine is one hundred ($100) dollars.
To find out if there are other penalties that could be applied to your daughter, beyond being fined between $250 and $1500, she should contact the court listed on her citation for driving without a license. She may also need to contact the Iowa Office of Driver Services if she wants to obtain a license and see if a conviction for being unlicensed will affect her ability to get a driver's license.
If she is able to receive a driver's license in Iowa, your daughter can shop with us for her young drivers car insurance needs.