Driving without a license

Sec. 1. (a) An individual, except an individual exempted under IC 9-24-1-7, who knowingly or intentionally operates a motor vehicle upon a highway and has never received a valid driver's license commits a Class C misdemeanor. However, the offense is a: (1) Class A misdemeanor if the individual has a prior unrelated conviction under this section; (2) Class A misdemeanor if the operation of the motor vehicle results in bodily injury; (3) Level 6 felony if the operation of the motor vehicle results in serious bodily injury; or (4) Level 5 felony if the operation of the motor vehicle results in the death or catastrophic injury of another person. (b) In a prosecution under this section, the burden is on the defendant to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant: (1) had been issued a driver's license or permit that was valid; or (2) was operating a motor driven cycle; at the time of the alleged offense. However, it is not a defense under subdivision (2) if the defendant was operating the motor driven cycle in violation of IC 9-21-11-12. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-4-26.5.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.100-2010, SEC.3; P.L.125-2012, SEC.235; P.L.85-2013, SEC.62; P.L.217-2014, SEC.92; P.L.221-2014, SEC.71; P.L.198-2016, SEC.527; P.L.111-2021, SEC.77; P.L.117-2025, SEC.3.