VTL § 355, Operating While License/Registration Suspended or Revoked (Article 7)

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office can help with New York Vehicle & Traffic Law violations. VTL § 355 is part of Article 7 (Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act) and applies when your license or registration was suspended or revoked because you were required to furnish proof of financial responsibility. If you were charged with operating—or permitting operation of—a vehicle while under that suspension or revocation, we can help. We can help with tickets in courts across the state. See our testimonials, courts we appear in, and contact us for a consultation.

Vehicle & Traffic Law § 355, Operating Without Giving Proof When Proof Required

Under VTL § 355, any person whose operator's or chauffeur's license or registration certificate or other privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been suspended or revoked—where restoration or the issuance of a new license or registration is contingent upon furnishing proof of financial responsibility—and who during such suspension or revocation, or in the absence of full authorization from the commissioner, drives any motor vehicle upon any highway or knowingly permits any motor vehicle owned by such person to be operated by another upon any highway (except as permitted) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the person is subject to the penalties provided by VTL § 511. The NY DMV administers Article 7 and related suspensions.

What are the penalties?

• Fine and jail: Per the Vehicle & Traffic Law Manual for Local Courts (Magill 2024), a misdemeanor: $200–$500 fine, 0–30 days in jail.
• Points: 0 points.
• Surcharge: $88 or $93 surcharge applies.

VTL § 355 Statute

Any person whose operator's or chauffeur's license or registration certificate or other privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been suspended or revoked, restoration thereof or the issuance of a new license or registration being contingent upon the furnishing of proof of financial responsibility, and who during such suspension or revocation or in the absence of full authorization from the commissioner shall drive any motor vehicle upon any highway or knowingly permits any motor vehicle owned by such person to be operated by another upon any highway except as permitted hereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to the penalties provided by section five hundred eleven of this chapter.

Source: NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law § 355 (nysenate.gov)

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

If you were charged with a VTL § 355 violation, the Benjamin Goldman Law Office can advise you. We can help with Article 7 and traffic matters across New York. Contact us for a complimentary consultation via our contact page.

Fight Your VTL § 355 Ticket