North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

If someone charged with driving without a license can present a valid license in court, what is the likely outcome?

1. Conviction for driving without a license

2. Acquitted of the charges

3. Probation for a year

4. A reduced charge

The correct answer is: Acquitted of the charges

When an individual charged with driving without a license presents a valid license in court, it effectively demonstrates that they were legally permitted to drive at the time of the incident. The fundamental requirement for the charge of driving without a license is the absence of a valid license at the time of the offense. If the court is provided with proof of a valid license that was simply not available during the traffic stop or incident, it undermines the basis of the charge. Thus, the correct outcome in this scenario is that the individual would likely be acquitted of the charges since presenting a valid license fulfills the necessary legal requirement to drive. The prosecution would no longer have a viable case against the defendant, as the key element of the offense—operating a vehicle without a valid license—has been negated.