Driving on a DUI-Suspended License

Caught Driving on a DUI-Suspended License? The Penalties Are Severe.

In Pennsylvania, driving on a license suspended due to a DUI conviction is not treated like a simple traffic violation. Under 75 Pa.C.S. §1543(b), the penalties are mandatory and harsh—including mandatory jail time, steep fines, and additional license suspensions.

At Sheridan Lawyers, we understand how easy it is to get caught in this situation—whether you needed to get to work, take your child to school, or handle an emergency. But prosecutors and judges take these cases seriously. Our defense team fights aggressively to protect your freedom, minimize penalties, and help you move forward.

What Is 75 Pa.C.S. §1543(b)?

Section 1543(b) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code makes it a crime to drive when your license is suspended or revoked because of a DUI or related offense. This includes suspensions for:

• DUI convictions

• Refusing a breathalyzer or blood test under Pennsylvania’s Implied Consent Law

• Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) suspensions for DUI

Even if your DUI case is over, a suspension remains in effect, and driving before your license is restored can trigger these serious charges.

Penalties for Driving on a DUI-Suspended License

Penalties depend on whether it is your first or subsequent offense, and whether alcohol or drugs were involved:

• First Offense (no alcohol/drugs involved):

  • Mandatory minimum 60 days in jail

  • $500 fine

  • Additional one-year license suspension

• Subsequent Offenses (no alcohol/drugs involved):

  • Mandatory minimum 90 days in jail

  • $1,000 fine

  • Additional two-year license suspension

• If Driving Under the Influence While Suspended:

  • Mandatory minimum 90 days in jail (up to 5 years if graded as a misdemeanor of the 1st degree)

  • $1,000–$5,000 fine

  • Additional license suspension

These are not penalties you can simply “pay and move on.” Jail time is mandatory under the statute.

Defense Strategies for §1543(b) Charges

Sheridan Lawyers uses aggressive strategies to fight these cases, including:

• Challenging the stop: Did the officer have probable cause to pull you over?

• Questioning notice: Were you properly notified that your license was suspended?

• Exploring necessity or emergency defenses: Some situations may justify limited driving.

• Negotiating for reduced charges: In certain cases, it may be possible to seek a reduction to a lesser offense without mandatory jail time.

Our goal is to keep you out of jail, minimize license suspension, and protect your future.

Why Sheridan Lawyers?

• Extensive experience in DUI and license suspension cases in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties

• Aggressive, strategic defense to challenge mandatory sentencing

• Compassionate approach—we understand that people often drive out of necessity, not recklessness

• Proven results helping clients reduce or avoid harsh penalties