---
title: "What is the penalty for driving on a suspended license in Rhode Island?"
description: "Driving on a suspended license in Rhode Island is a criminal misdemeanor, and the penalty depends heavily on why your license was suspended and whether you have prior offenses. A first offense on a..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/what-is-the-penalty-for-driving-on-a-suspended-license-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-08-11
modified: 2026-08-11
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# What is the penalty for driving on a suspended license in Rhode Island?

Driving on a suspended license in Rhode Island is a criminal misdemeanor, and the penalty depends heavily on why your license was suspended and whether you have prior offenses. A first offense on a non-DUI suspension typically carries fines, a further extension of the suspension, and possible jail exposure, though jail is not always imposed. The penalties climb sharply with repeat offenses. The most serious situation is when the underlying suspension came from a DUI or a chemical test refusal, because Rhode Island law then requires a mandatory jail term that a judge cannot simply waive. Because the driving record behind the suspension drives the outcome, two people charged with the same offense can face very different consequences.